Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - All Comments

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sun, 18 May 2014 04:57:05 GMT

ssthe Belmont is like i did it in new York the grave yard of the future legends, and it is very sad because the horse is noble he made you rich but you love him so much that $ 3,100.00 dollars is not the amount that can make you happy can i be you? i will said this i love my dog and he never won a race but when c.crhome won today he did not kiss the pony mare like a fresh stallion i was sad it was like i am sorry because i did my best.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 10 May 2014 03:56:54 GMT

I told you before what horses were not to be included in the first 2 positions so you had the best chance to win it all I swear I did won with the trifecta and I did miss with the super nobody is perfect but is better to win then to loose, well the first round is history the second is like a wait and see, California chrome derby win was not so impressive as you think he did beat a plodder with 2 preps and a horse with a 2 turn race life time he may have won the derby bouncing but you can't win the Belmont with that pattern like smarty jones, so the Preakness has two faces the spring 3 year old pattern 2 good races fallow by a bounce like thunder gulch or the strike the gold pattern going to the Preakness the word is out California chrome is a great loving animal and I hope Mr Sherman love him and don't allow the money be the final breach this horse has to jump to be great.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

MonicaV — Sun, 04 May 2014 20:23:17 GMT

Coldfacts,

Didn't look as if Wicked Strong was anywhere near California Chrome at the end of the race. I guess CC is exactly what he was promoted to be and he is a Cal Bred on top of that. Shows that some horses don't follow all the highly regarded facts.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 07:50:13 GMT

this derby has 2 names California chrome or ride on curling the rest will be closing to destroy your wallet,medall count,tapiture,gen.a.road,c.curve,chitu,w.strong they were espouse yesterday and will get espouse tomorrow for the win.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 07:17:20 GMT

my hope to win, cal.crhome ,ride on curlin, medal count, general a rod, c.curve ,tapiture,good luck.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 06:51:30 GMT

for me this race is confusing, the favorite looks like big brown to be fare and have better post oh my god are this people so kind, well if this horse lose I will be in shock I will probably need some therapy sessions but I hope it has a happy ending.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 06:13:13 GMT

this is the moment for the fluke to wake up, there is not help from your friends let me see what I see from you and tomorrow I will unmask your dreams.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 05:55:23 GMT

form will not be cal.crhome failure,this race is devoid of form for many inferior horses then him on class and breeding but the big crowd and attention that he has not face before but I think this horse has not nerves and he will show that he is even better then what he has shown so far he has a great hidden pedigree.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 05:39:28 GMT

my last comment has to do with post position historical value and result, post 20 win big brown a superior horse, post 19 I will have another did beat a horse at santa anita derby that did beat a horse who won the ark. derby by 9 lengths before, that is class who in this derby can beat a solid favorite from post 5 with tactical speed? ride on curlin #19 wicked strong #20 are better then big brown and I will have another? if ride on curlin wins at 15 to 1 he pays $32.00 for $2.00 investment but the post position has a one percent chance for me to make a profit is not better to invest more if the percentage are extremely higher for you to win on post position probabilities? danza was a probability not a big risk.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 05:04:36 GMT

this favorite will be the biggest overlay I have seen ever 5x2 on this horse is like turning $640.00 dollars in $1,600.00 that is what I call value on probabilities.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 04:42:46 GMT

when California chrome takes the lead he thinks the police is pursuing him.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 04:39:26 GMT

brother do not waist your time when California chrome takes the lead he thinks the police is pursuing him ride on curlin can be the police?

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

cuba"s classic chef de race — Sat, 03 May 2014 03:59:43 GMT

if cal. chrome bounce in my opinion ride on curlin even with post 19 has the best breeding, dirt class, jokey, and is a fast pace demon that can turn Saturday in a nightmare for the favorite clan, medal count did work good as a 2 year old and at 3 at c.downs by dynaformer? beware dirt speed lovers no more preps to measure, danza one too turn race and suspect breeding is for you not for me,candy boy lost by 8 now I hope for 14,chitu has the best broodmare and the worst sire combination in the derby revolutionary? wicked strong has a horrible female family and post 20 oh my god the only lousiana derby superfecta hope only on pedigree is c.curve,general a rod can handle a fast pace and likes the track but roman ruler? may be can be in the exotics and the final hope tapiture has a suspect botton line and a don't think a fast pace is what he wants check his first race at 2 but he is a dual qualifier ,won a fast time race a c.downs in the k.j.club at 2 and had the points to ran before last prep what danza did in Arkansas with a 7 fur. sprint race? 5 to secure your bet,19 for for been real,14 for the atomic bomb,8 to be cautious,15 for steve roman and 17 for a grand slam I have couple more to include just in case but this race is unpredictable like a shark.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

Householder — Fri, 02 May 2014 05:07:16 GMT

I still say that California Chrome needs too much to go his way come Derby Day. His bests have been good but his worsts have been awful. If he can manage something like the California Cup Derby, with that kind of patient ride, he may have a good shot. That may have been his best race. But most of the time I see him getting rushed to the front and if he tries to go gate to wire I say he gets cooked. Take a look at the Del Mar Futurity, the 16th pole on where he has company, he's bouncing around like a pin ball down inside like what are these horses doing here in my path. The Will and Proctor he goes 46 and backs up. Then there is the Golden State Juvenile where he breaks like a royal Lipezon front hooves 4 feet off the ground. No the formula is pretty simple for the Derby. Break well, stay out of trouble, make one long sustained run. I don't see this. He needs to be placed too far forward, won't get to relax, and hope he has gas the last 1/4 when the race starts.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

conrado — Thu, 01 May 2014 23:58:54 GMT

I decided to see the three Triple Crown races won by Secretariat before I can write this lines. Product analysis consider a sincere yes CC runs hard and win the Roses be very unlikely not be opposite the next triple crown of USA. without passion of any kind, looks out a copy of their careers made series, and I think to the extent that advance the other gems of the triple crown CC was consolidated as one of the best examples of U.S. history as exemplary three years. long as the injury bug does not take possession therein. The rest of the field could be a big surprise on sunday, because they are so even and maturing. So, good luck for the rest of the field on the first race of the TC.....

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

zarvona — Thu, 01 May 2014 08:51:19 GMT

Food for thought Rusty… {{maybe there is the thinking in some circles that Baffert is gonna play run “the rabbit game”, sending “Chitu” out to run ridiculous opening fractions hoping near all will try to stay with this rapid pace and thusly eventually near all will burn out by the time they reach the stretch allowing the youngest horse in the field, “Hoppertunity”, to come along late in a stamina closing run and steal the show, … BUT, … the fly in that ointment is, what if “Chitu” outruns his sire’s supposed deficiency to be able to handle a mile-and-a-quarter,--if you’re a Haskin’s believer,--and actually outruns the field WIRE TO WIRE with his 10 links to the ‘BHXFG’ strains and his 4 links to “Cosquilla” ???!!!… as he does possess such speed.}}

… then again, maybe “Chitu” has grown up over the last 6 weeks and is even stronger and in all this time off besides continuing with the gate training regimen, Baffert has.--over this supposedly long 6 week--??--layoff period,--actually TAUGHT the hoss to RATE off the pace himself where “Chitu” is willing to try to stay near to “Chrome boy” and is willing to try to duel with him down the stretch ?? !!!

… just some food for thought …

Then again, if you put all your faith in Steve, toss the horse as a potential top 3 finisher and save the $$$$ and just carry a handkerchief with you to collect your tears when you throw all of your tickets on the ground after the race ...IF the horse wins places or shows …

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

fightonfig — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 19:46:21 GMT

Like Steve, but just too much detail, a thumbnail scetch

is all ya need before the draw, then a little more comment, would CC be on top if drew # 1 ? Think it will be a blanket finish, call it Hop,CC,ex-bx, tapiture, vic'trble & wicked strg tri & sup bxs to 1st two bueno

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

Bloodline Bob — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 10:06:46 GMT

OK, since they would not print my negative comments about Steve Haskin's #1 Derby Dozen pick. I'll repeat it here on April 30, 2014: CALIFORNIA CHROME will not be better than 3rd or 4th place. There has not been a sire of a Kentucky Derby winner that had a stud fee as low as that of LUCKY PULPIT's fee of $2,500 in the last 25 years! CALIFORNIA CHROME is the 2014 version of the 1986 SNOW CHIEF!!!!! I'm not using him until the 2014 Preakness.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

racefansan — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 07:10:00 GMT

I wholeheartedly agree with Steve (and I congratulate him on his powers of observation) that California Chrome's best asset may be his unusually good mind. The more I see of this colt, the more impressed I am with his demeanor. He is always alert and curious but never rattled. The last horse I saw with a similar attitude turned out pretty well. His name: Animal Kingdom. I don't know if CC will win this year's Derby, but he will certainly be a pleasure to watch.

One thing I haven't seen anyone mention about Intense Holiday is that he is a Shawklit (see third dam). I have a great fondness for the Shawklit's -- all of them. They tend to be very tough competitors, and most of them are fully capable of outrunning their odds on any given occasion. I would be pleased to see Intense Holiday do further honor to this family.

I'd also be pleased to see We Miss Artie perform well. For one thing, I am weary of the naysayers who claim that the Artie Schiller's can't act on dirt. Also, I happened to see his dam go through the sales ring at Keeneland in November, and I fell head over heels in love with Athena's Gift. There's an old song which goes something like "do what you do do well." That mare's specialty appeared to be the high kick, and I swear she could knock the hat off a tall cowboy perched on the top rail. Other than her athletic prowess, I thought she was absolutely gorgeous, and I hope her son does her proud.

To the Hanna-Barbera fans I see posting here, one of my biggest disappointments in this Derby season was the injury to the highly promising Exit Stage Left. If anyone knows how he's doing now, I'd love to hear about it.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

mz — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:20:09 GMT

Once again, considering the 50 Year Anniversary, I forgot to add another longshot in my group of choices: the Ontario-bred We Miss Artie.

(Together with Samraat, Uncle Sigh, Vicars in Trouble and the wise guy pick, Wicked Strong)

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

Slew — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 23:46:14 GMT

Of the last 4 Triple Crown winners, the largest field was 15 in 1977. You know who won that one. Affirmed faced 10 in 1978; Secretariat faced 12 in 1973. The classic work horse, Citation, bested 5 in 1948.

I still believe the 20 horse field is a demolition Derby, and I have to wonder if it's a factor in NOT having a TC winner, especially since the track is not wide enough to support more than 18.

Isn't Calif Chrome one cool dude? He seems to be just taking it all in. I'd bet his connections are happy that he enjoyed his flight.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

Coldfacts — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 11:32:41 GMT

There can be many reasons associated with a horse’s refusal to change leads. If a horse has an efficient stride pattern and on rare occasions does something erratic, it does not mean his strides are any less energy efficient. I specified that Wicked Strong was not smooth in the last furlong of the Wood but as soon as he regained his rhythm he exploded past his rivals.

In the latter parts of the 9F races most horses will be either decelerating rapidly or holding their form. Rarely is the explosive acceleration displayed by Wicked Strong in evidence that late in a 9f races with strong internal fractions.

The video clip I saw of Wicked Strong on arrival at CD reflected a colt bursting at the seams. California Chrome better be as good a promoted as WS will be dropping on him like a ton of bricks.

It appears Wicked Strong will be heavily backed in the Derby and that will not deter me from using both him and Medal Count as my top two.

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

Uncle Smiley — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 23:44:08 GMT

Dr. Drunkenbum:

Understand those dreams this time of year. I just had one in which Bob Baffert takes over the lead of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and sings, "Somebody Stole My Gal."

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

LAZMANICK — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 22:47:32 GMT

Dray

See Spot run. Yesterday we saw Bayern run. The California horse outran the Florida horse, don't ya think?

re: Derby Dozen - April 21, 2014 - Presented by Shadwell Farm

Slew — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 21:31:46 GMT

I was certain I posted last Monday, and if I did..I apologize if I'm repetitive. Or it was lost in cyberspace...so here we go again.

I have to hand it to you, Steve. I can't come up with a top dozen. I'm upset because Cairo Prince is out.

I just didn't think Constitution could do 10f and win.

Colts I found too inconsistent to consider are Vicar's in Trouble, Wicked Strong, and Danza. Of course, any one of them could pull off another freak performance, but I'm doubting their credentials.

So I go with #1...California Chrome. His performance was spectacular in the Santa Anita Derby. I understand his other races were just as impressive. But yes, I have questions: a.) will he be in the mood to win? (I haven't forgotten that other sure bet, Point Given.) b. Can he do it outside of California? (He's bred well enough to do it anywhere...but then, so was one of my favorites, Lava Man.) He's #1 simply because he's the horse whose credentials I question the least.

#2. Samraat. I've enjoyed watching this colt develop since last year, and I've always liked him. He has a great stride, he has speed, and he has grit. The Wood was a testimonial to how gutsy he can be. If not for Chrome, he would be my favorite.

#3. Social Inclusion. Speed, ability, agility, and good breeding.

#4. Intense Holiday. More than capable, loved his run in La....until he made that sudden left turn. If he stays with it, he could prove to be a fierce rival.

#5.Wildcat Red. Well-bred, he's a fighter, and he may have been saving his best race for May. He has speed, and he has tenacity.

#6. Dance with Fate. I thought he'd be in the mix, but if his trainer says he can't run on dirt...maybe he can't. But he's so pretty, and if I can't have the handsome Cairo Prince on my list, Fate looks just as good. (It seems to me I've seen trainers bandage their horses' legs, just to make the horse seem less of a threat in competition. Could be the same strategy??)

I'd love to see Kid Cruz in here, but I understand he's headed to the Preakness.

#7. Dynamic Impact and Midnight Hawk. While some may not consider the Illinois Derby as having an impact, these 2 boys ran a great race, out-distanced the competition, and fought a duel to the wire. I liked them both.

8. Bayern. Even if only for the breeding. I'm seeing Seattle Slew, Mr. P, and Alydar. I like that.

That's the limit of my picks. Now it's time for me to catch up on every one else's thoughts. Good luck to you all.

Oh and Congratulations to the Zen on such a beautiful look-alike filly. I'd say she strongly takes after her Mom.