Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Bill Two — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:15:07 GMT

I hope Mr. Janney has better luck with Orb than he had with Private Terms, who went off favored in the Derby and finished up the track. That horse ran a powerhouse race in the Wood which made it appear he was going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Derby. Unfortunately, it didn't happen that way. Orb certainly gives every indication he will be a force in the Derby, but it's never that easy. There are a lot of colts pointing for the Derby who are blossoming now or are about to blossom and this of course is what makes it so difficult to approach the race with a lot of confidence. Best of racing luck to all.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:02:26 GMT

On the KD website they have Orb singing a cute little country ditty about the Derby! Very cute.

Great choice of country superstar Martina McBride singing the national anthem at Churchill on Derby Day. Kudos Churchill marketing.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:27:57 GMT

What great photos of Orb. I may make him #3 after Lucky, Verrazano, and put Rev. at #4. He is a nice looking colt and he has those kind eyes and pricked ears, very aware. After seeing him like this I really am starting to like Orb. And If Bob Baffert says he's gliding over this track well that says a lot. I am glad Orb enjoys all the pampering from Jennifer and Maureen.

Unfortunate Baffert's horses cannot be in the Derby but if there was a setback or "hiccup" then they are not quite ready.

Glad to hear LuckyDay is getting over the track like he owns it.

Appreciate all these great photos Steve. Keep them coming!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

TerriV — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:00:12 GMT

Your pictures of Orb are wonderful! He must be a really laid back fellow to handle everything so easily. All horses should be so loved. He is an intriguing horse. It's been 40 years - wouldn't it be grand!! Thank you so much for the stories and info, the only thing better would be to be there myself. Maybe that dream will come true someday.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

5stardayy — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:05:55 GMT

well today work said its OVER. 500WP ORB orb/all/will take charge,OXBOW, Ninvasion. tri

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

ksweatman9 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:04:36 GMT

Orb has a nobility about him judging from his photos. Don't read too much into this, but I think he has a "Man O' War" profile. All that being said, how lucky will the handsome horse be on derby day? I would love to see one horse stand out from the rest this year and maybe, maybe, dare I dream, win the triple and not break a leg doing it. Is that too much to ask? Let's see how they line up, who gets lucky, who leaves the draw crying. GOOD LUCK to Orb and ALL! I love derby fever and I don't even have a horse in the game.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

predict — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:03:27 GMT

Steve,

Great pics, really appreciate this stuff, thanks.

Looking forward to the "slop" article, this is going to be very important information. Saturday is predicted to be the highest possible chance of rain this week, with a 70% chance and as much as .4 inches of rain, darn. I wish we could always have a dry race day on Derby day, but that is not in the clouds this year.

If Oxbow likes a wet track, I believe he will win; if a horse doesn't enter the stretch in close competition to the front, it will be unlikely for a deep closer to find his best path, in the slop, to the front. Too bad for Java's War, who definitely won't win if it is sloppy. Expect Revolutionary with Calvin to be another good bet in the rain, in fact I can almost see him standing, all drenched, in the winner circle already.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Slew — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:24:14 GMT

I thought I post this in the morning; sorry if it comes up x2

I love this horse.

Jeff Siegel, on HRTV, listed his top 5, which he feels any of the 5 can win.

At 5, he felt Goldencents was being underestimated.

At number 3, Jeff said of Orb, "He's the best chance for a Triple Crown, but first, he has to win the Derby."

Music to my ears. GO ORB!

The photos are stunning, Steve! Thank you so much! I like the photos that show Orb can smile. He reminds me a contented kitten.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Slew — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:16:12 GMT

Watched Pursuit of the Crown today on HRTV. Clockers agree. The most impressive workers for the past week have been:

ORB

REVOLUTIONARY

MIDNIGHT LUCKY

I'm liking that!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

steve from st louis — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:52:53 GMT

That's decent company!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Ranagulzion — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:51:34 GMT

Orb indeed looks awesome but he's not alone in this department. Itsmyluckyday is breathing fire right now. The Todd squad led by Verrazano and Overanalyzie are waiting to explode. Also, keep an eye on the D.Wayne Lukas pair carefully: Oxbow might be coming to play catch-me-if-you-can (he's a very fit horse that's bred to go the distance and he's not a quitter ...therfore you've been warned). Will Take Charge is being primed to come flying at the end and he'll be very dangerous with those big powerful strides.

Can Orb, a beautiful grandson of AP Indy be trusted to land the Derby and belatedly open the way for his sire-line in the Run-for-the-roses? I have my doubts, serious doubts they are but admittedly he has a great shot and the best wishes of all the supporters of his "old school" connections, the Phipps family.

I'm pretty confident that my group of five: Verrazano, Overanalyze, Itsmyluckyday, Will Take Charge and Orb is where you'll find the exactor and trifecta.

If Verrazano is the crackerjack colt that I presume he is, the race is on really for the minor placings but this is the Kentucky Derby in which the post positions and break from the gates can account for so much of the result therefore I'm putting a caveat on my prediction this year, especially with the Union Rags derby saga still a fresh painful memory ...I dont think that I'll have another this year with the super competitent, master of the pigskin, Johnny V, in the irons. The ones I fear most to upset the "Big Vs" are his stablemate Overanalyze (which I touted as the best 2YO colt of last season, also my early season Derby choice that has really blossomed in time to make me possibly regret jumping off unto Verrazano) and Itsmyluckyday (he could be a freak that blows away the opposition and turns the race into a funeral procession ...sitting on a really big race, coming into this).

Anyway, when all is contemplated, said and done, I'll borrow a line from my fellow veteran blog poster, Zarvona: Go Verrazano, go Verrazano, go baby!!! go!!!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Giddyup — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:20:03 GMT

I think this years Derby race is a pretty wide open affair with several evenly matched contenders. If it comes down to which colt has the biggest heart it will be hard to go against Orb. This horse never gives less than 100% effort.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

derbylin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:21:18 GMT

I really respect Bob Baffert and his decision not to run his horses. If they aren't ready, they aren't ready and he isn't running just to be in the race. And wont take up a spot in the gate that another horse could have had. On down the road, his horses will make a statement. Good luck in the Oaks, Bob.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Sail On — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:15:23 GMT

Really love the photos. I do not know what to think about Orb. I cant see him passing Verrazano, and I believe Normandy will catch him easily. Questions are, can Goldencents hang on, will Charming Kitten surprise?

I see Orb better than most, a top 10 finisher.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Steve Haskin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:02:20 GMT

Steve, Affirmed used to practically fall asleep on his way to the gate. Then when he got to the gate he would get all pumped up.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Steve Haskin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:01:10 GMT

As for the slop horses, I will be going over the horses to watch on an off track in today's column

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

steve from st louis — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:36:25 GMT

Steve, Have you ever before seen a thoroughbred close their eyes with a rider and tack on their back? Orb must be feeling good! Everyone in racing would cheer Shug winning the Derby and his power-napping Orb may be the one to do it for him.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

TripleCrownKaren — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:20:36 GMT

Steve, I was so happy to see your comments on OTB's condition and how he looks. I'm supposed to be "impartial" in looking at my prospective bets for the DERBY but just REALLY want SHUG to get his Derby and for all the contributions the Janney family has made over the years to the sport. If they had only had RUFFIAN that would have been enough. But to have this horse coming up with all that historic breeding behind him.....(sigh) I just would really LOVE to see ORB & SHUG get this DERBY!!! All the connections with this horse surely deserve it.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

PickingTheDerbyWinnerSomeday — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:46:43 GMT

eager to hear what u think of WTC looks on the track. let me know Steve, i heard he got big.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

bellesforever — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:10:56 GMT

Thank you Steve..I have really high hopes for Orb and his team..it's Shug time!I love Normandy Invasion too ..of course I have great affection for the human connections of both teams..that said it has been a long time since those black and cherry silks have been seen on the first Saturday in May..he is a beautiful classic looking colt..safe trips!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

John M — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:12:54 GMT

Great pics and comments Steve. Orb is one happy camper.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

duchess — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:23:20 GMT

Love the picture of Orb with his eyes closed. If he were a cat rather than a colt he would be emitting thunderous purrs.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Debbiek — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:24:49 GMT

Steve, thanks for all the photos of Orb. I love this horse!!! I am really hoping for a TC winner this year. I haven't been this hopeful since Barbaro. If Ruffian smiles down on him maybe it will happen, but even if he doesn't he sure has done his ancestors proud :) Go Orb!!!!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Mike Monarchos — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:38:12 GMT

Beautiful photos of Orb Steve! Maybe you should be a photographer. I'd say you are with all these great photos you're showing us. You're lucky because the Bloodhorse is a great place to display them. I think Orb has moved into my top three now with Revolutionary and Verrazano. I'm glad you thought Itsmylucky looked good because I like him too

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

Cassandra.Says — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:58:46 GMT

Very sneaky, Steve. Diverting the "Cute!" vote to Orb.