Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Stones — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:47:23 GMT

Linda, funny you should mention the "3-letter name" thing....I've wondered about that for a while (but have been too lazy to check myself).

I'm completely sold on Revolutionary after everything I've read here and elsewhere on his works. I haven't wanted to jump on the Normandy Invasion bandwagon because of his struggles earlier in the year, but his last race and what Steve describes here has me reconsidering.

I like too many horses!!!! Coming up with a wagering plan is going to be impossible!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Bethany Loftis — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:11:26 GMT

Animal Kingdom won the Derby with blinkers, granted I'm pretty sure it wasn't his first time with them. Pletcher said Palace Malice seemed to work better with them, so we'll see!

I'm so excited for this week, as I'm sure everyone else is also! May all the athletes and connections stay safe, and for those who haven't arrived yet, may they arrive safely!

Thanks again Steve for your updates and wonderful stories!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Linda in Texas — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:15:48 GMT

Hearing Siegel say ORB which is not a real fancy name, to me sort of like glug or glob. But he can't help what his name is, may mean something to the one who named him i bet. Nevertheless, i was wondering if there was ever a horse to win the Kentucky Derby with only 3 letters in their name, yes there was when Zev won it in 1923 exactly 90 years ago. So my question is answered. Google Zev and you can see a very old great movie of The 1923 Oaks and Kentucky Derby with music. Great.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Linda in Texas — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:34:44 GMT

JayJay-could not agree with you more, to get 1 wonderful horse to the Derby is a marvel, much less 5 so that means lots of dedicated hot walkers, groomers, stall spiffer upper's and assistant trainers. It is the behind the scenes people i admire as i have said before. It indeed takes a village to have them all in such great shape. I loved the bath time video for Pletcher's Five that someone took.

Glad Itsmyluckyday made it can't wait to see him. Look forward to watching him and Beholder in their workouts.

Have a great time Steve, we all await and appreciate the photos you take that bring us all right to the rail. Hope you have a chauffeured golf cart to get you to all the barns with your name on the side just above Bloodhorse.com :)

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

reesie123 — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:24:37 GMT

The Derby is always exciting I guess.Least wise it used to be that way for me.Over the past five years especially,it's become more of a craps shoot.I will bet it of course and my choise will probably be Normandy Invasion.After all,not the best of trips in the Wood yet he was comming on strong to Verranzano,the likely Derby favorate.And he has certainly taken to the Churchill surface.But even if I loose,I hope it's not a Pletcher horse that wins.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Rusty Weisner — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:36:55 GMT

I've got an open question.

Who's won with blinkers, and who's won with first-time blinkers?

Ordinarily I like first-time blinkers, but in the Derby they achieve their opposite effect with me: I end up looking around.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

JR — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:02:39 GMT

Hi Steve,

With rain in the forecast for Saturday, could you comment on which horses would favor a off track.

Regards,

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Paula Higgins — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 04:19:14 GMT

I like Verrazano and Revolutionary, along with Orb and Goldenscents. The next week will be interesting to see how they work. I do not think there is an overwhelming favorite. On another note, I was happy to see John Veitch victorious in this one battle. I hope they have to pay his lawyer's fees too.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Sail On — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:49:58 GMT

Thanks for the nice update. You describe it so well I felt just like I was there watching them work!

I still like Verrazano and Normandy 1, 2. Haven;t settled on the rest of the bunch.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

JayJay — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:21:20 GMT

I'd like to give credit when credit is due, I think Pletcher did a great job getting all 6 horses in the Derby and yes I understand that it's not just him that made it happen, most of the credit is actually to his trusted crew who did all the work handling the horses and keeping them in good shape and healthy but he is the brain of that organization so I have to give credit to him for accomplishing the goals of 6 owners. He planned their races in a way that they all made it without much of a problem.

Now that I got that out of the way, I hope none except Revolutionary hits the board lol, hoping they are not good enough or that they don't run their race. I'd like my picks to be the ones that's there in the end. No malice intended, just want to hit exacta, tri and superfecta in this year's derby.

Steve : I'm glad to see that your assessment of Revolutionary is similar to what I thought this horse is like when he races, I posted in the other blog that Revolutionary runs his races like he never gets tired, it's just seems effortless for him.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher on Parade

Aspercel — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:31:53 GMT

Glad you like Frac Daddy. He caught my eye galloping (yay for streaming) last week and now he's my longshot horse :)

Btw Steve, thanks to your Breeder's Cup blog, the other Gantry girl and I are friends :)