The winner is in Dubai.  You and others don't want to admit it but I have not seen a 3 year old yet that can beat a 2 year old Vineyard Haven on October 4th 2008.  I will agree with one thing you said.  Unless a maiden winner shows up in the next 30 days shocking us all it will be a very simple Derby to handicap. No horse this year is going to come in with 3 races and win the Derby.  My advice to you Jason is to hop on the Vineyard Haven wagon! Don't worry I'll make room for you.

Hello Jason:

How are you? I agree with you regarding your insights,also interested to watch Stardom Bound progress.

Three top horses catch my eye: Old Fashioned, Stardom Bound, and Vineyard Haven. Both Old Fashioned and Stardom Bound are top contenders, who should be considered seriously. Neither has done a thing wrong at this point. Personally, I'd rather see Old Fashioned, Larry Jones and Gab Saez. But, I'd also love to see a filly win the Derby! Vineyard Haven was owned by Joe Torre (sort of) so I was a big fan of his, but now that he's in Dubai, I just can't get excited. I really hate the Sheiks buying out all of the quality Derby horses instead of breeding them themselves. And 'Candyman' seems to be doing very well. But beware, some of the best horses show up later in the season. We'll just have to wait and see.

Giant Oak has now grabbed my attention. Besides being a big Giant's Causeway fan already, enjoying Giant Gizmo, Frost Giant and Red Giant's races...I think he will give a good go this year.

The Pamplemousse

Because I'm European, I would love if the Ky Derby winner was European (preferably Irish and trained by Aidan O' Brien) But even if that did happen (which too be honest doesn't seem likely) it would be a bad thing.

Firstly, little chance of Triple Crown (Even though the Belmont's mile and a half is standard for our horses) becuase I'd say the horse would be shipped home. Also, and i do not mean to be rude, Americans would not be happy and they'd probably complain. I can understand that becuase the Ky Derby is distinctly "American". Obviously foreign horses have won it before but it still is part of American culture.

I hope I'm not being rude. I love American racing and I do not feel, as some do, that our horses are better. They are just bred differently and have more stamina.

I would love if Larry Jones wins the KY Derby so that is why I voted for Arkansas as Old Fashioned is prepping there.

I like Square Eddie & I Want Revenge.  Both of these are extremely talented 3yos.  It's nice to see that this year we have a better class of 3yos.  I've got mixed feelings about Stardom Bound in the Derby, because I can't get the image of Eight Belles' breakdown out of my head.  I've never been a fan of 3yo fillies racing the boys, I think that's for when they are more experienced and have finished growing.

Draynay  -  Midshipman rules ok!!!!

Rechelle what about Rags to Riches?   Her stumble at the the start may have led ultimately to her premature retirement but she still beat Curlin and she is still around!  Hope all goes well with her Giants Causeway foal to be!  

I saw The Giant in the flesh at Ascot when he ran in the QEII Stakes. He was already my favourite horse of that year.  Sadly his jockey got outwitted by Observatoy's jockey and he was mugged on the line. i was very disappointed although not with The Giant (!) However I was just delighted to see him and follow him around Ascot!  A marvellous horse with a real presence and as much courage and will to win as any horse ever had.   He reminded me very much of another of my great favourites The Minstrel (and Seattle Slew of course!)in that respect!

Oops I am digressing again!  

Great article.  Am very much hoping Stardom Bound wins on Saturday and then the Santa Anita Derby then we will see.  But from reading her trainer's comments on the NTRA website i do not think she will run in the Kentucky Derby unless he feels she is up to it. Which is good news for her many fans!  And i do trust his judgement!  We will just have to pray no harm befalls her or any of them. Horses dying on the track is sadly going to happen unfortunately but hope lots of effort is put into preventing it happening as far as is possible! I hate to see it and find it very upsetting.  But so is life(!) -Zimbabwe, The Middle East, Iraq. Afghanistan, starvation in Africa etc. etc. etc!

Yes well ... better stop there!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

Against all reason, I'm holding out hope that Mr. Hot Stuff develops rapidly. I love me some Tiznow.

Square Eddie is squarely on my radar if he can transition.

Abbie... Midshipman?  Doesn't he have to prove himself on dirt and doesn't he need to prove he can beat Street Hero ? I will let that ship pass into the night.

Stay off Dray's wagon! It's gonna crash. I believe the Derby winner will be comeing from Cali.The Santa Anita Derby will definately be the one to watch.

Real Quick---draynay: do you think the pre-Sheik connections of Vineyard Haven would have parted with him IF they thought he was such a Sure-shot of a Derby winner as you do?..remember,those same connections are looking for their 1st Derby winner!..I'm sure they didn't need the money..honestly,I think they overpaid for that 1-turn miler,but that's the Sheik's M.O. right?

They blew their best chance at winning the Derby a few years ago when they shipped Doneraile Court off to Dubai after Destroying the field in the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita.

Dubai?..seriously?..trust me,this years' Derby winner is stabled here in North America..somewhere!

to be continued!!

Tiznowbaby, ditto on Mr. Hot Stuff. There are a lot of good horses this year, but Mr. Hot Stuff is the first one who really made me sit up and take notice.

Slew all opinions are welcomed but did you not see the Champagne? VH after being pressed by AP Cardinal to a 45.59 half mile shook him and everyone else off like a bad habit. Break Water Edison, Hello Broadway, Cribnote, and Munnings got whipped like they were Maidens. How can you talk about anyone of them for the Derby when VH handled them with such ease.  Do you really think another 400 yards would improve their chances?

Do I think they would sell VH if he was a sure shot winner? Well... we all know anything can happen in racing and any horses next race may be his last.  When someone offers you change of life money you have to take it.  And ... the only mistake they made with Doneraile is buying a California horse thinking it would win the Derby.  Mark my words if Vineyard Haven moves forward from the Champagne its over already Dubai will not matter. And does it really matter who wins the Santa Anita Derby? How many years has it been since the winner of that race won the Derby ? See... it just doesn't matter.

Even though i am from Great Britain i do not think that our racing is necessarily better than US racing - just different.  It is better in that there is no medication and more variety of racetracks but the US racing has advantages too.  They are both great and to be enjoyed. There are lots and lots more of Seattle Slew's dynasty in the USA and personally i much prefer the US style of riding to the European style.  But that is a matter of opinion.  We are all entitled to our opinions.  Mine are strong i know but there you go...!!!!

Not sure the Americans would complain if one of our horses won the Kentucky Derby. Why would they?  The Epsom Derby is very much part of English culture but American and Canadian bred horses have often won it and no serious racing fan should have minded the American trained horses coming over and having a go!  Eg Slewpy and Wolf Prince!  i would have loved Slewpy to have won it!!!!  Wolf Prince too!

A mile and a half on turf is not a familiar trip for American horses nowadays which is probably why they do not often come over but I saw somewhere that an American trained filly is being targeted at the Epsom Oaks I just cannot remember her name!  But will give her a cheer if she makes it!!!

No person or horse or any animal chooses were they are born and does it really matter anyway?

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

PS. Darley and Sheikh Mohammed have given $2 million to the  Markey Cancer Foundation in Kentucky.  Their generosity cannot be faulted!!!!  Am going to enjoy the racing from Nad al Sheba today and tomorrow on At the Races and will be cheering for all the Godolphin/Darley/Shadwell horses as ever!!!!

I have a feeling we havent seen the derby dozen yet. Not until the end of Feb will we really be able to say any of these horses are the ones going. There is a diamond in the rough out there somewhere, I just know it.

Not much separated I Want Revenge from Pioneer of The Nile last time out. The works suggest that they will continue this rivalry.  Throw in Stardom Bound, Square Eddie, the Pap with some speed, and even Chocolate Candy.  All eyes on CA and the Santa Anita Derby.

draynay...no disrespect but we are not hearing any VH dialogue on the west coast.  Could be our ignorance and undoing.  Please keep us posted.

I admit that TIZNOW is my favorite sire, so my Derby horse has to be one of his sons! Forgetting my prejudice, though, I think that MR. HOT STUFF woke up in a big way the other day and ran a breakout race. He reminded me of COLONEL JOHN's "rocket" finish in the Santa Anita Derby last year. I can't wait to see what he does in the Sham Stakes, that will be a better barometer of his ability, I think. He looks good. I'm impressed.

dray,I'll be surprised if ANY horse coming out of last years Champagne shows up for the Derby,including VH..(sorry Jas,I know how much u like Hello Brdwy).

And,Bobby Frankel/Joe Torre et al. don't necessarily need "change of life money"..they've been living it for quite a while I think..your buddy The Sheik just got Hood-winked and Bamboozled for some serious cash by those Good Ole' Brooklyn Boyz..ha-ha!

Please pour your money into the Derby future pools on VH so we can all find ourselves a lively longshot.

I'm going on record with my prediction... Big Drama!

going to be a New York bred gelding comming out of Maryland...

Jason,

Do your supporters a favor and point them to a potential triple crown winner after you have identified the particular 3YO based on the information provided below:

His sire had 1:07.9 speed for six furlongs, 1:33.54 speed for a mile and covered one mile and a quarter in 2:00.95. His last quarter in his 10F victory was 23 and change. His dam was lightly raced and her sire holds the World Record for 1 1/4 miles on dirt: 1:57 4/5.

He is undefeated in two starts and has won his races by a combined 19 lengths. He is considered a late foal as his DOB is 24th May.

When you indentify the 3YO compare his pedigree profile to that of  1916 TC winner Sir Barton.

He will surely be 2009 derby winner.

NB: Big Brown won his first two  races by a similar margin.

Hello Jason, Hope your doing well.

My past picks included 2003 FunnyCide, 2004 Smarty  Jones, 2005 Afleet Alex, 2006 Barbaro, 2007 Curlin, 2008 Colonel  John. Now, all these horses above won at least one or two of the Triple Crown legs other than Colonel John.

This year looks real good and our early choice for a Triple Crown  Run is a nice horse who has solid Breeding. The Colt we are talking about is none other than "Old  Fashion". Also known as " O.F." for short. Old Fashion is one of  those horses that could get the job done in this years up coming  Kentucky Derby.

Old Fashion is undefeated in Three races in his early Career. Not  only has he won! but he has absolutely, Destroyed the  Competition!. His first race "Old Fashion" got involved in a deep  stretch duel with "Sunday Blitz" Ridden by Dominguez. And Old  Fashion fell back twice, but kept on fighting an regained the lead and wins!. Exciting race to watch. I believe Old Fashion takes it this year.

Abbie - That would be Dream Empress.  She was quite a good second to Stardom Bound in the Breeders Cup and had a good win before that in the Alcibiades.  I think she then ran last in the Golden Rod late in the year, not sure what happened. . . she's a very nice filly.

Where is Elusive Bluff?

Charitable Man and Mr. Fantasy.

Abbie,

I think the filly you are referring to is Dream Empress for Kenny McPeek....she was second to Stardom Bound in the BC Juv. Fillies.

Seems like I read somewhere he was planning in sending her over.

Under the radar horse to watch....Poltergeist, he destroyed a pretty good ALW group at Oaklawn by 5 and has been training great. Looked especially strong on the gallop out, will be tested for class in the Southwest by Old Fashioned, Square Eddie, Silver City, tec., in what is shaping up as possibly the best early prep of the year.

By all accounts 'Old Fashioned' looks like the real deal both in works and in races. The proof will be in how he does in the Southwest Stakes. If he romps then I don't see any better choice barring injury.

Does that make him from Louisianna, where he's been training or Delaware before that, or Arkansas where he'll race?

Several horses folks were big on have just not done well with their 2009 debuts. See Break Water Edison, Indygo Mountain, Beethoven, ...

Mr. Fantasy has to be tested against stakes level company before he has more credibility.

I just don't see a West Coast taking the Derby this year or any of the Dubai-trained contingents.

Re: European runners - keep in mind that 2009's running will have an automatic starter from off-shore. The winner of the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton (Eng) March 18th gets a starting slot at Churchill. So quite possibly a dark horse will emerge from way off the radar.

I have to agree with Sopiekea, I don't thinkd we will know much until after the month of Feb is over.  West Coast horses need to prove the can run on dirt and East Coast horses need to prove the can be consistent.  I wonder sometimes how the change in the steriod rules are changing how some of these horse are coming back for this year.  Big Brown was never the same after he came off the stuff and alot of the races won last year were before the major states like KY, NY, CA and FL banned them.  Just a thought...

Old Fashioned and Mr. Hotstuff- who do you think you are? He just found out,and we're about to find out!!

I want Revenge if he gets a clean trip should beat the Pioneer saturday.

If Stardom Bound improves  last year's performances as a 2 year old,as she should  she'll run against the boys, that closing kick is awesome.

m palmer: The answer is Mr Fantasy.

Sire -E Dubai

Dam -Twice Forbidden (out of Spectacular Bid)

hey jason what happend to girolamo,for the darley boy's??

after reading the info from dubai you cant have much confidence in vineyard haven or midshipman.

*yawn*

Sorry, just my reaction thus far, on this year's Derby Trail, and the horses who are allegedly on it! ;)

No one has truly wowed me yet.

For those touting Square Eddie, it was just announced he's out for at least 30 days with a sore shin. While they have not ruled out the Derby 100%...I'd say the odds just depreciated greatly!

While it's only February, and SO much can happen over the next couple of months, there's been no "It" horse this year. IMO, anyway.

Vinyard Haven's gonna have to get back stateside...and he's got some proving to do NOW.

There's no telling that he's the same, or more importantly BETTER and on the improve, than he was at 2. Seeing as how he's been off the radar somewhat being in Dubai, it's hard to get a feel for him now, can't even track workouts regularly! But, he's as interesting as anyone else right now.

On sentiment, I have an eye on a CA horse, we'll see if he can rev it up over the coming weeks, and Mr. Hot Stuff also intrigues me a bit, because I am a fan of Colonel John.

But I think 2009 will be another year (for me) that I will have my definitive Derby pick somewhere around the last week of April!! :)

Good luck to everyone, hope that huge future hunch bet comes in for ya! :)

If Old Fashioned draws Post Position 6, I will not bet against him.  He is my fave for now, but I also like Square Eddie. He is only getting better with time.  But I am sure all of us girls out here are hoping to see another filly win the Derby. Stardom Bound may be the one to make us proud.

Bellwether is mentioning the horse I believe will win the Kentucky Derby. His name is Mr. Fantasy,he has the look of a freak horse. It may be too soon to tell,but he looks real good to me.

Mr. Hot Stuff

The Pamplemousse

As mentioned above, people who have seen Poltergeist think he may be special. The Southwest should be a very exciting race.

"Yawn"? Oh come now just pull up on youtube the efforts of Old Fashioned from his maiden at DelPark to his utterly confident victory in the Remsen.

No need to win by 30-lengths in some showboat display to demonstrate he's got the goods.

Look at his recent workout times. He made Derby contender Indygo Mountain, on the same track and time, look like a plowhorse by comparison.

Unless something horribly goes wrong down the road Old Fashioned will be a deserving top contender to win the Derby.

Lets face it we are way too early to be picking a derby winner. Every year the "favorite" is picked way early then he ends up getting hurt or just not performing as well as expected. Does anybody remember Pyro or war pass or any number of others. Who expected barbaro or street sense? Not me I am sad to say but I think we need to at least get to may before thinking we have picked the favorite. Lets face it we aren't psycic. If I was i would be at the track every day laying bets and leaving with a smile and a huge wad of cash. Instead i gotta work for a living and go once a month if I am lucky.

I'm killing time till we go to the airport Jason, did you get a tan? I like the east coast based horses, how do you like that? No way am I going to go with one state!

Ditto Skippy - m palmer is referring to none other than Mr. Fantasy

Abbie, I don't think you can compare Rags To Riches to Stardom Bound.  Rags is a rare horse and exceptionally talented, but also do note that in her next race is when she suffered the injury.  Who knows what it took out of her to beat Curlin?

Draynay, I hate to burst your bubble but Midshipman will NEVER beat Street Hero since Street Hero is RETIRED after an injury! See this article if you don't believe me: www.ntra.com/content.aspx

The Pamplemousse in the Run for the Roses!

My personal choice is Stardom Bound. I love her and I am estatic to hear they are thinking of running her against the boys before the Derby. I was really hoping they would do that.

Other than that I do like the Pappelmouse and Square Eddie.

Rechelle I was not comparing Stardom Bound to "Rags".  If you read my comments about "Rags" on other blogsites you would know how high an opinion I have of Rags and that after Dahlia she is my 2nd all time favourite filly/ mare.  I was merely pointing out that fillies can beat the boys.  Dahlia made a habit of it!

Rags gave eveything when she beat Curlin so it must have taken a huge amount out of her and that stumble did not help.  My memory falters at times so sorry about the inaccuracy as to when she was injured!

Anyway I read somewhere on Bloodhorse.com that IEAH are hoping that Patena is so awesome in his next races that Stardom Bound will be going for the Kentucky Oaks!!!!!   Patena appears to be their main Derby hope at present!  

As Patena's dam is by A P Indy I will have him on my long list (lots of Seattle Slew's dynasty still Kentucky Derby bound at the moment and looking good for later on!)of horses to follow for this season.

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

Winning Colors lost the Las Virgenes to Goodbye Halo only to come back to take the Santa Anita Derby by 10.  Stardom Bound is interesting...would be only the fourth filly in history to take the Santa Anita Derby.  

Vineyard Haven and add Stardom Bound to my Derby list.  Knowing that when she is done racing she is going to the barn with Big Brown is all the reason I need to hope she wins the Derby.  Big Brown and Stardom Bound... wow can't wait to see the colt they produce.

stargirl11

i love stardom bound i know she will do great this weekend because i have bet on her before on the triple crown breeders cup juvenile fillies my only concern is when she goes  against the boys is her speed and is she going to be able to hold them off durring the streach i think she is a great horse i just want to them to make sure she is ready i want to see the fillie win the kentucky derby to my knowledge it hasnt been to since 70s or 80s and she is my #1 pick but the first they need to take it one race at a time i also think that hanz field i think he will be in contention.

i think that square eddie is overrated i have major questions about that horse in the last last race he get beat by 5-6 lengths? i just dont think he is capable of havndeling the distance i think he has to be in the lead who do i really thing will really think will win the derby? i dont care what people say about vinyard haven i think he will be the horse to beat may 2nd in the kentucky derby i know he 's been in dubi but my question to you is what does dubi have to do with the kentucky derby. what i think would be neat is if he ran in the dubi world cup then in the derby. no horse i know of has ever done that i dont know if he is eligable for that race or not at the begining of the year i would have told you runaway hide but someone told me he retired to that kinda went out the window i have went with vineyard haven before in the champaine stakes in belmont. so thats how i know he can handel any distance because belmont is the longest track we have in horse race there is a reason the call it the test of a champion i personally find it very hard to win at belmont im not saying he will be in the triple crown contention  but knowing edge prado if he is on him i feel like he has the chance to win i think in order to win the triple crown everything has to go absolulty perfect thats why im sorry to say this but we probably wont see one for another 10-20 years if then i think field is to weak.

Abbie, I was saying that I believe Rags To Riches (aka "Rags") to be a better filly/mare than Stardom Bound is, but that is only my opinion.  I didn't think you were criticizing Rags at all, I'm sorry if it came across that I did.  I have strong opinions about 3yo fillies running against the boys, I think that is something that should be saved until they are 4yo or older and they are more experienced and have finished their growing.  Bones are too delicate at 2yo and 3yo and the horse isn't done growing yet.  Rags did stumble in the Belmont and her next race is the one she came out of with the fracture, so even though she beat Curlin in the Belmont, I think ultimately it cost her her career.

I have heard the same as you.  IEAH is not aiming, at this point, Stardom Bound to the Kentucky Derby, that is why they purchased Patena.  Stardom Bound is being aimed to the Kentucky Oaks, which I think for a 3yo filly is a better race.  

Winnings Colors is proof that 3yo fillies can beat the boys.  Eight Belles breakdown at last year's Derby just reinforced my opinion about 3yo fillies versus the boys.  

I was trying to agree with you Rechelle, I believe "Rags" is better than any filly/mare bar Dahlia!

I also agree about any 2 or 3 year old not being fully developed be they a colt or a filly.  I would like to see them unraced or only very lightly raced until they are 4! But that will not happen!!!!

i think really we are in agreement about most things!  Although you may not have heard of Dahlia!  She won lots of top races in England, Ireland, France, Italy, Canada (I think) ad America not just beating but leaving the top colts trailing in behind her at a respectful distance!  And she beat the best around!  Dahlia was a beautiful burnished copper chestnut with an Arabian head, white stripe and snip and superb confirmation!  Beauty personnified! She was a bit of a madam with more than her fair share of temperament.  If she did not feel like racing then she did not bother and she did not like the whip. Even Lester Piggott never whipped her over much!  But i have never seen her like in looks or talent!  I try not to compare my favourite fillies/mares with my favourite colts/stallions/geldings.  

Anyway nice to find someone else who is not keen on the racing of 2 or 3 year olds due to lack of maturity.  I know you only mentioned fillies. You are entitled to your opinions of course but as I wrote here i think that actually we are in agreement!!!

God Bless you and all horse lovers, animal lovers and those who care about people and the World we live in!

Best wishes

Abbie

Rechelle's point about worrying about 3-yr old fillies running against the boys is interesting.  I find that my eye follows the female in a race (Rags to Riches, My Typhoon, Eight Belles, Precious Kitten/Goldikova), but I think that is because of our human perception that the girl will get brutilized by the boys, that she cannot hold her own against them and needs protecting.  If you believe the statistics that we are provided, when you compare males and females there is no difference in the number of breakdowns.

Abbie - I'm old fashioned.  I raised my foals to not have any saddle training at all until they were 2 PAST THEIR ACTUAL BIRTHDAY, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks for aging horses.  Training in Saskatchewan, Canada, most of my weanlings were handled to teach them to trust humans, yearlings to the halter and leading & tying, loading, farrier, vet, etc.  At 2 I would introduce the saddle pad first and then bring the saddle.  The ranch I worked, if they were racing their horses, wouldn't race until 3.  I still disagreed with it, which is why I worked more with show horses who don't start their career until they are 6, 7, 8 or older.  My mare now is 16 and her previous owner started showing her too young and she has suffered injuries as a result and is now retired.  Her pedigree is enough she should've been a Grand Prix horse, instead, she is in a pasture being allowed to be a horse and used for lessons for kids.  

I've never heard of Dahlia before but will be sure to look her up.  I think the fillies coming from Europe and abroad are better positioned by the time they race here because they aren't nearly as inbred as ours are (if you look at most of the horses running, they are severely inbred to Mr Prospector and Big Brown has Northern Dancer as his great great grandsire on both sides).  The European blood is purer and I think it's important to introduce that into our horses now to ensure that they are sounder and sturdier.  

Helsbelles, Ruffian broke down facing a boy.  Rags to Riches broke down in her next race (and may have suffered the initial injury in the Belmont facing Curlin).  Eight Belles lost her life facing the boys.  Precious Kitten is older and therefore finished growing when she faced them.  Goldikova came from a different country where it is more common to have fillies face the boys.  Did I like her running against them?  H*LL NO!  Was I relieved when I saw she suffered no ill effects?  Relieved doesn't even describe it.  If the filly is 4 or older, I have less concerns with it.  But these are already animals running on stick legs that are still developing, still growing.  It's like a human child's bones.  They aren't done growing until they're 17, 18, 19.  A horse isn't completely done growing until they are 4 or 5.  Why do you think you don't see any other horse sport using young horses?  The YOUNGEST you might find will be 4 or 5, but it is more common to go to horses that are 8, 9, 10 and up.  

A horse needs time to be a horse.  Racehorses don't get that opportunity.  They are bred to run and after birth, encouraged to run.  After weaning, they are immediately put into training, even though they are nowhere near done growing, as evidenced by Nicanor last year needing MONTHS to go through a growth spurt, months that may have cost him the Kentucky Derby, since there is no way now that Nicanor will make it.  Had he been able to start as a 2yo, he may have made it.  But fortunately he has owners and a trainer who put his welfare above their desire to see him race.

That is great Rechelle!  Wish there were more people like you!!!!  If I had a young horse I would want to leave him/her alone as far as riding is concerned until he/she was 4.  

There is a beautiful painting of Dahlia in Richard Stone Reeves marvelous book Decade of Champions if you can find a copy.  But as Dahlia did win several races in America i.e. The Man O War, Washington DC International and The Hollywood Gold Cup you should be able to find a photo and info on her!  She raced from 1972 to 1976 and retired age 6!!!!!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

Rechelle, You mentioned Riley Tucker which got me wondering whatever became of him... well, I'm happy to report that he won an allowance race(#2) at Santa Anita today (02/07).  

That makes sense, the bones not being fully formed yet... and fillies do seem to have thinner legs than colts to begin with.  I have mixed feelings about whether Stardom Bound should run in the Kentucky Derby or stay in the Oaks.  I heard someone today on the radio question did we learn nothing from the Eight Belles incident... that you can't push a horse to do something they aren't able to and not expect disaster.  But, I don't know if it's fair to apply that to her... she was better than 95% of that field.... but she had the thinnest legs, as did Pine Island.

I envy your lifestyle with the horses.  I live in a big city, but one of these days...

Helsbells, I'm actually wondering if Stardom Bound will run either the Kentucky Derby or Oaks.  She is running Apr. 2 in the Santa Anita Derby and IEAH doesn't like to turn their horse around as fast as it would take for her to go to post in the KO or the KD.  I've mixed feelings about her being in the SA Derby, but it is on a better track, so hopefully she'll come through the race fine.  I'm becoming a fast fan of the Pro Ride surface after we went through the entire Breeders Cup race weekend without a single catastrophic breakdown, which is the first time in recent years that has happened.  

Rechelle: If your raising race horses in Sask no way are they going to be 2yr old starters. You can't hardly raise a foal in Jan/Feb in this end of the world.{Western Canada}. So yea it makes sense to have later foaling dates, which in turn gives you 3yr old starters. I've had alot of Alta breds ex-rayed as 2yr olds, and none of them had mature enough knees in June.

Wanda,

Most of the Thoroughbreds I trained in Sask. went on to show careers, mainly because I didn't agree with the training of a foal at age of 1 to 2 years old.  I prefer giving the foal time to grow up and mature before trying to put saddles on them.  A few went to the track but that was mainly another trainer working them.  I live in Texas now and my horses are either pleasure or show, no racehorses, again because of my beliefs.  I don't like putting a saddle on a foal until he is at least 3yo.  I prefer to do groundwork with them until then and teach them manners.  Just my preference of course.  

Hes starting late but your derby winner is running 2-14-09 in the 8th at gulfstream. Imperial Council

ok ok ok   ... "I will give you a DOZEN and then a DOZEN and a Dozen plus... (and shouldn't they all have been in POOl #1???...maybe an expansion to 48 horses makes more sense...), but who will stay healthy?, make the graded earnings required?, handle the traffic?, be in top 7 at the final turn and complete a romp to wire??   .. Well, it's tough to know at this point, but isn't that the fun in this game, predicting the future???!!! And, it is still the greatest 2 minutues in sports!!

"American Dance"; "Beethoven";

"Bear's Rocket"; "Big Drama";

"Break Water Edison";

"Capt. Candyman";

"Chocolate Candy";

"Charitable Man";

"Desert Party"; "Dunkirk";

"Flying Pegasus"; "Flying Private"

"Friesan Fire";

"General Quarters";

"Giant Oak";

"Haynesfield";

"Hello Broadway";

"Hold Me Back";

"I Want Revenge"; "Midshipman";

"Notonthesamepage";

"Nowhere To Hide";  "Old Fashion"

"Papa Clem"; "Patena";

"Pioneer of the Nile";

"Poltergeist"; "Stardom Bound" (f)

"The Pamlemousse"; "Theregoesjojo"

"Uno Mas"; "West Side Bernie";

??? "Gallant Son"; "Regal Ransom";

"Captain Cherokee";

"Danger or Society"; "Mr. Fantasy"

"Imerial Council"; and a few more slots remain open for the top 40 at this point!!!

 I'll bet 15 or more of these go to the dance though, and yes, we'll see some newcomers pop up in the next 8 weeks to tickle us farther!!! Oh, did you want me to rank them too? NOT YET! Do you have a favorite among these or your favorites? ... Or another?! I don't know who will fill the 20 Slots at the Churchill gate yet, they all have a shot at getting there!! But, wasn't it a blast putting $100 on Giacomo in Pool #1 WHEN HE CROSSED THE FINISHED at 100-1!!!

Unfortunately the economy is going backward and the industry and thusly the Pool game is suffering, but hitting the Pool is like hitting the lottery!

FUN  FUN  FUN

I'm having good feelings about the Santa Anita Derby.  The winner may not win the Kentucky Derby but someone out of the Santa Anita Derby will.  Could be another Giacomo moment!  We have Evita Argentina, Chocolate Candy, The Pamplemousse, Stardom Bound, I Want Revenge, and Pioneer of the Nile.  We are ready to throw all of them at Old Fashioned.

Since you were talking about Mr. Fantasy in the most current blog, I decided to ask everyone what Pioneerof the Nile's chances were in the Kentucky Derby in this appropriate topic blog. The current workout below looks pretty good.

This notice is to inform you that one or more of your horses has worked out.

Pioneerof the Nile

Your Comment:

Date: March 8, 2009

Track: SANTA ANITA PARK

Distance: Five Furlongs

Time: 58:80 Handily

Track Condition: Fast

Surface: All Weather Track

Rank: 1/85

And whereas I know he is good, do you think he will win the K.D.?

There is a very lightly raced colt out there that most have forgotten about from what i've read so far. His name is Dunkirk, and winning is his game. I believe he's in the Tampa Bay Derby. If he takes control and wins this one, look out below. That will be his last race until THE KENTUCKY DERBY...