Kentucky Derby Notebook: Contender Profile - Endorsement

re: Kentucky Derby Notebook: Contender Profile - Endorsement

Slew — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:59:49 GMT

I misspoke when I said his "trainer". Those were the words of his owner. Endorsement did finally work..well, but ended his work with a fracture. As far as the Derby itself, Ice Box proved his mettle, and I found myself rooting for him. What a run he produced...can't wait for the Belmont. For the Derby, I ended up picking Statley Victor, Ice Box (When Endorsement withdrew) and Paddy O'Prado. Why I never gave consideration to Calvin on Super Saver...I just don't know. I should have.

re: Kentucky Derby Notebook: Contender Profile - Endorsement

Jade — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:27:58 GMT

Endorsement's trainer, Shannon Ritter, does not train Drosselmeyer.

re: Kentucky Derby Notebook: Contender Profile - Endorsement

Amateurcapper — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:54:00 GMT

Slew,

So glad you stopped by and commented. I liked your comments on my ICE BOX piece. Check there for my response to your last comment.

Now to the subject at hand, true that...ENDORSEMENT's preparation has not been textbook. The fact Shannon Ritter won't work him on an "off" track tells me the Sunland Derby effort took a ton out of him. Wet tracks are notoriously hard on challenged muscles and tendons, which in turn puts more pressure on ligaments and bones. He's probably still got a lot of lactic acid working its way out of his body making him move a little stiff. Read today's Steve Haskin's article about him.

Because Ritter gallops her own horses, I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt because of the personal attention. In a big outfit, where many people have a hand in the care of a horse, things can get missed until it's too late. That's not the case here. If ENDORSEMENT was injured, she'd have scratched him already.

If you don't want to key him or even use him strongly because of the inactivity, at least "save" with him.

Lastly, Shannon Ritter trains ENDORSEMENT while DROSSELMEYER is trained by Bill Mott.

re: Kentucky Derby Notebook: Contender Profile - Endorsement

Slew — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:41:05 GMT

Ps Especially when the trainer wishes he had Drosselmeyer there instead.

re: Kentucky Derby Notebook: Contender Profile - Endorsement

Slew — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:40:00 GMT

Endorsement was one of my favorites...until they kept coming up with excuses for him not to work with only 5 days left to the Derby. I now have many doubts.

..and wonder if something is wrong and whether or not he'll be a scratch.