Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Floridabred — Fri, 02 May 2014 00:40:30 GMT

Thank you Steve, as always !. What a nice job of providing the current events that will help us sift through all the information. (and thanks, Jay Jay, for your offering of 117. how considerate !).

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Lise from Maine — Thu, 01 May 2014 11:15:17 GMT

Hi!

Just love the photo of Dance With Fate sleeping. He is so cute laying there, and it is different.

I am still wondering about betting on him. My final decision will be made on Saturday.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

JayJay — Thu, 01 May 2014 03:46:22 GMT

Well, here we are, post draws are done. Now we start the grueling 60 or so hours trying to pick our horses. I said in the other blog, this is the most competitive field I've seen in awhile. Chrome is a standout on paper, unfortunately for me, this is the race where I'll know whether he's for real or not and I will let him beat me.

I'm quite happy with Samraat's post, I was hoping between 6 and 10 and he got 6! And as a bonus, he has Chrome next him to the left and WMA to his right. It also worked out well that the two speeds in the race will have no choice but to gun it from their posts which means we'll definitely see a speed duel. I'm liking my chances....if it doesn't work out and Samraat is not good enough...there's always next year! lol

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Lawton — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:48:01 GMT

the 5 post is fine for CC unless he really blows the start at the gate. He has enough tactical speed to be in a good stalking position. He should win barring a suicidal pace being set early.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Linda in Texas — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:01:08 GMT

Dance with Fate is plumb tuckered out. Did not realize how pretty and black he is.

Just checked the weather.com site and i'm seeing you all are home free without rain. Shows clear from today, Wednesday thru Saturday. Didn't check Sunday.

Photos are worth a thousand words. Keeping this short but have a great time and we thank you for the view you give us that otherwise would have no clue. Thanks Steve.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

JayJay — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:20:26 GMT

Also some great photos here ( "Mornings at Churchill Downs" ) :

www.kentuckyderby.com/.../mornings-churchill-downs

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

PickingTheDerbyWinnerSomeday — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:30:26 GMT

Waiting for the draw....but still betting against CC. More power to him and his connections if he can take it, so far he looks like a machine BUT 3/1 or less in the demolition derby is just too low for me. California Chrome was surprisingly pedestrian on the thorograph sheets. I'll take a stand against him at the 3/1 he's going to be.Danza and Wicked Strong are my pre draw considerations. Everyone thinks they're going to bounce off their career bests, but they absolutely don't have to. Sheets wise, while their last start was a big improvement over the race before that, they've only developed 4 (Danza) and 6 (Wicked Strong) points off their best 2YO figure (typical improvement is roughly 7 points on average). Horses running a lifetime top with only moderate to decent improvement over their best 2YO number are usually the ones who spring forward again. By all accounts, Danza and WS have looked strong on the track this week. Those two just look like horses peaking at the right time. But I am only and crazy, so who knows. B O L to all.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:21:21 GMT

I'll be jumping up and down if I can get 15-1 on my top pick, Candy Boy! With plenty of pace and a race at 1 1/4 miles, I'm starting to see candy coated chrome.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Azathoth — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:43:21 GMT

Samraat reminds me of Alysheba with his determination, can't help but root for him

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Rusty Weisner — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 11:26:18 GMT

Steve Haskin,

This doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement of General A Rod.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Delrene — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 05:51:32 GMT

Dance with Fate and California Chrome need their "snooze" time to catch up with the time difference. What a great picture of handsome Dance with Fate. Thanks for all these tidbits. So much to digest.... enjoy all your writings.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

BelmontBarb — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 03:31:32 GMT

This Derby is definitely defined Steve, by the use of your word "perplexed" and the "last-minute decision" is the best doctor-advice for the treatment of contagious Derby Fever. Even though "The Chrome" is doing the best salesman job for the Derby, to whom the credits will go in this graduating class remains the question - or should we say mystery? Facts and figures, Dames and Sires; as for the trainers and clockers and jockeys seem to be needing the same Rx.

One can look at these photos and easily interpret that these athletes are not going to reveal the result of a test before they take it ~

Did you mention that General A Rod may be in blinkers - Mystery Guest! but no guess work on the fabulous photos and without a question a "Winning" Haskin' feature.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Shelby's Best Pal — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 03:17:05 GMT

I didn't know Samraat was so beautiful. That head! Wow! Thanks for sharing your photographs.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

JayJay — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 02:38:16 GMT

Thanks for the photos of Samraat, the one I've been waiting for ! He is a gorgeous looking colt. I guess tomorrow is a big big day for me with (hopefully) some comments from you regarding how he handles the track and the post position draws.

I'm not worried one bit about the lead change issue and I don't think it will be an issue for him in the Derby. Love this horse!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

LanceS — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:41:44 GMT

So how did Chrome look in his gallop this morning?

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Paula Higgins — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:34:53 GMT

I have always been high on Samraat. He has a very alert look. He seems smart to me and competitive. I like Wicked Strong too and my derby picks are made I think as follows:

California Chrome (unless he has a horrible work)

Wicked Strong

Hoppertunity

Samraat

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Windolin — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:02:37 GMT

Hi Steve, Love this pictures, gives us the opportunity to see many of them up close and personal. Just delighted that you see in Samraat what I saw in him when I first started following the preps and the Derby Dozen. Love that photo of Dance with Fate. He is a "Black Stallion" for sure. Look forward to you list!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

GreenSplat — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:54:40 GMT

I agree with you Steve, this is a very perplexing race to try and figure out. The race strategy is going to be fascinating to watch. Will one of the speed horses try and burn the field up? I just don't beleive you're going to be able to run well off the lead and win this race.

Great photo of Dance With Fate taking a rest!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Stones — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:19:40 GMT

I've been thinking a lot about General a Rod's chances the past few days. That picture you posted yesterday of him in his stall, giving a look that seemed to say "Hey! Don't forget about me! Guys? Guys???" seemed appropriate, as he has been, if not somewhat forgotten, then essentially tagged as an "also ran" in the past couple of weeks.

I'm trying to avoid the "11th hour fever", but horses like Uncle Sigh, Vicars in Trouble and Chitu are making it tough. For now, I am stuck on your top 3, however: CC, Danza and Hop.

Can't wait for your final observations later this week, Steve(and more spectacular photos too, hopefully!).

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Matt Helm — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:28:52 GMT

Thanks for the updates Steve,cant wait for your selections.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Old Old Cat — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:52:53 GMT

Lake Churchill has drained leaving me no choice but to go with my fair weather horses California Chrome four lengths over Wild.CAT. bay.not.RED over SAM.the.RAT by a nose. Trifecta no box..

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Derbystorm — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:26:54 GMT

1.Wicked Strong

2.Hoppertunity

3.Candy Boy

4.Medal Count

5.Ride on Curlin

6.Intense Holiday

7.General A Rod

8.Commanding Curve

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

Sail On — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 20:10:54 GMT

Wonderful report, Steve, and the photos are super! I do wish we could hevs some photos of Vicar's In trouble.

I still like

Vicar's In Trouble

Samraat

Wicked Strong

as my top three.

I also like Wildcat Red.

Uncle Sigh and General A Rod are good horses, but...

Also, I so wish that Social Inclusion could make the cut.

I do agree with you about Candy Boy, and Ride On Curlin, who has a big kick, but...

Thanks again for the super photos and please try for some shots of Vicar's In trouble.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: General on the Attack

predict — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 18:56:24 GMT

Samraat is gorgeous, looks more RAN to me than Northern Dancer, but he does carry RAN blood on his sire side, reminds alittle of Seeking the Gold, only as a chestnut.

Betting Angle, suggested for this Derby:

1. pick your top eleven horses

2. randomly assign them a number from 2 thru 12.

3. roll a pair of dice and the first four different numbers that come up, that's your superfecta box....

....good luck all with this crapshoot......