March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Wanda — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:33:23 GMT

slyder: Hey were you on the frontside or the backside as it were? We were stabled miles from the track and had to be in the indoor paddock before the previous race was run. I rubbed 5 head and had 2 winners, Secret Discovery and Front Money and a little mare named Snow Deer lite the board a few times. Man that was a fun time and the backside kitchen was pretty good or maybe I was hungry so it tasted all right. I had to look up those win pics cause my memory isn't what it used to be! I remember ponying a horse one morning and the fog was so bad you couldn't see 5 feet in front of you. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

slyder — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:48:41 GMT

Wanda,

I was there on opening day when it was called Canterbury Downs. I was there when they re-opened it as Canterbury Park as well and many days in between and since. The cornfields are pretty much gone, given way to "progress". The track is in good hands although I am sure the economy being the way it is won't help. If they would only let the voters of Minnesota decide in a fair election whether or not to add a casino things would really pick up. The card club they added has helped to increase purses but we still are a relatively small player in the grand scheme of things.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

BIGDONOKC — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:23:08 GMT

win willy ha how about that trip - slow till the end.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Wanda — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:33:51 GMT

That was me again "W". Brain dead today!

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:37:35 GMT

Yo slyder I was at Canterbury Park the first year it opened, were you there way back then? Racetrack with miles of corn fields in the middle of nowhere!

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

slyder — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:40 GMT

Wanda,

I did not have Wee Willy but can say I was at lil ole CBY Park the day he broke his Maiden back in August. I'm still in shock that a horse from our "minor league" track pulled that one off(although there have been others who ran here to go on to much bigger and better, most notably Unbridled who finished 3rd in the CBY Juvenile as a 2 yr old.). I can say there was a huge buzz going around CBY yesterday and Willy was all the talk. I wonder where his connections intend to race next. If he picked up 180K in Graded earnings that may be enough to take him to the big dance. He'd most likely be the longest shot on the board.

As for Old Fashioned, let's not forget that this race was on a track labeled "good". He clearly did not like the heavy going. Although he drops down considereably on my list, on a fast track things can be very different.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Kat — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:51:23 GMT

Papa Clem didn't seem to improve particularly on the dirt (like IWR), but he didn't seem to mind it, either. At least not running on it. He didn't have to deal with dirt in his face though. I thought that was one of the issues with turf/syn to dirt?

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Householder — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:10:24 GMT

Papa Clem's performance may tell us that the whole synthetic to dirt "disasters" are largely a myth. He ran fine as did IWR but was just over matched. A lot of dirt horse also hate Churcill and for many dirt horses it is their worst peformance of their lives. Did Col John actually dislike the dirt, get a bad trip, or like dirt horses, just not like Churchill? Bob Black Jack seemed fine last year through some easy splits. We have a Kafwain, Empire Maker, and Candy Ride left. All seemed poised to LOVE the dirt.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Householder — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:02:43 GMT

So much for those who say take a horse back to a mile after they have already one at a distance. It looked like OF wanted that mile back. He not only slowed but stopped the last 1/8. 3/4 and mile fractions were nothing out of the ordinary and he certainly did not get hooked by the speed. Perhaps there is some physical cause...he did not look good at all and will be in tough against the West Coast winning machines who have already fired at a variety of distances.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

capper — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:37:47 GMT

so much for the chalk

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

GunBow — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:23:39 GMT

In my opinion, the best performances of the day were Rachel Alexandra in the La Oaks and Life Is Sweet in the Santa Margarita. Friesan Fire also ran very well, but Rachel ran the same time he did after being pulled up approaching the wire by a ridiculously confident Calvin Borel. Life is Sweet has turned into a Pro-Ride terror at Santa Anita, sweeping the El Encino, La Canada, and Santa Margarita with stretch runs rivalled only by her stablemate in the Sheriffs barn, Zenyatta. Fortunately for those fans who want to see Zenyatta's unbeaten record extended, the two should be kept apart until the Breeders Cup.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

GunBow — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 07:30:51 GMT

The Kentucky Derby bubble just burst for a whole bunch of horses!

Friesan Fire was much best in the La Derby. Kudos to him. But dont expect a huge fig like IWR or Quality Road. Amazingly, Rachel Alexandra ran the same time (as the La Derby) a few races earlier in the Fair Grounds Oaks geared down! Borel didnt ask her the entire final sixteenth yet she ran just as fast as FF!

As for the La Derby also-rans, how can anyone really feel good about how they ran? Perhaps a few didnt like the slop, but that cannot be the excuse for all of them. And even for the horses the excuse does fit, what did they get out of the race? Alot of disappointments in the race, and like I said, Friesan Fire's Beyer is not going to be super high. Hard to see any of the horses behind FF being much of a factor in Kentucky. They just seem too slow. By this time, horses need to be running Beyers around 100. None of the La Derby also-rans had done so before the race, and they certainly didnt do it today.

The Tampa Bay Derby horses also seem too slow. Alot might be made of the fact that Musket Man's final time for the TB Derby was a few ticks off Street Sense's record. However, a few races earlier on the card, the filly Dont Forget Gil, ran the same time Musket Man did. Long shots ran 1-2 in the TB Derby, with Join in the Dance 2nd. The two top K Derby contenders going into the race, Hello Broadway and General Quarters, offered little. The early Florida stakes, like the Hutcheson, have not been very productive. It's hard to think any horse from the TB Derby will be anything more than a longshot in Kentucky.

I think Old Fashioned's performance in the Rebel has to be considered a disappointment. For a horse ranked #1 on most Derby lists, alot more was expected, particularly since it was his 2nd race off a layoff. Of course, Jones doesnt have him fully cranked up, and Dominguez gave him a curious ride, giving far too much respect to a sprint horse, Silver City, in the early part of the race. Dominguez had OF just off a quick pace of 22 and 2 and 46 flat. However, for those trying to excuse the performance based on the pace, recognize that Dominguez gave him a breather on the turn, running the fourth quarter in 26 and 2. That's really slow. So, he should have been able to hold on and beat a horse like Win Willy. On the positive side, Win Willy came home the final sixteenth in a little over 6 seconds, so he, and to a certain extent, OF, finished fairly strong. However, OF is going to have no chance to win in Kentucky if he runs like this. Putting the fact he lost aside, there is no way a horse with his breeding is going to get 10 furlongs if he's that keen early and ridden that aggressively. OF needs to show that he ran rate and finish alot better than he did today. As for the other horses in the Rebel, what is there to like? I just dont see how the horses behind OF (OF was about 8 clear of the 3rd place finisher) can be considered Kentucky Derby material.

Finally, Pioneer did what he had to do. It certainly wasnt spectacular, but Gomez asked Pioneer to move out of his comfort zone by moving much earlier than usual, and the horse went about his business well enough to win fairly easily. To a certain extent, it was reminiscent of Chocalate Candy's win in the El Camino. Pioneer should keep moving forward, although he will be at a serious pace disadvantage vis-a-vis The Pamlplemouse in the SA Derby.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

LDP — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:37:50 GMT

First off, FF, let me just say wow. That was one heck of a performance, and to all those who called it, congrats. This horse is getting good at the right time, and deserves to be considered right along side of the top Derby prospects now. Next off, POTN showed he doesn't need to close, that he can stalk a pace and still win. This one is a very good horse, and in my oppinion will be the one to put the pamp in his place. Lastly, i know it wasn't OF break out performance, as it was expected that he'd blow the field away, but the pace was way way way to fast on a heavy track, and he was only two lenghts off it. Another thing is though he lost, the third place horse was eight lenghts back. Had Win Willy not ran the freak of a race he did or not even been in this race OF would've won by eight. Ramon i think did move too soon on him, kinda like HS in the Preakness, and on a heavy track and splits like he had was just too much to ask him to run so soon. This horse is still one of the top derby candidates, and should not be thrown out because of one loss. Remember he still has the AK Derby to run in.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Householder — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:01:54 GMT

Ryehill Dreamer...fractured pastern. He was training well for the Sham.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Householder — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:53:47 GMT

JERRY. Ryehill Dancer had a training accident at Hollywood preparing for the Sham and underwent surgery (I think seismoind).

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Kat — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:40:02 GMT

I believe Ryehill D is injured.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Householder — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:39:34 GMT

With the San Felipe win, POTN should become the Triple Crown leader in earnings. I thought Papa Clem ran well for just his second start after breaking his maiden. No disgrace taking second to FF. He appears to be Cali's second or third string right with Feisy Suances (fourth to Chocolate Candy, second to POTN). POTN over came a slow pace and just took command at the 1/2. Looking forward to Chocolate Candy, The Pamplemousse, POTN. It looks like FF is the only one who can hang with these top three based on his win against Papa Clem.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Wanda — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:28:50 GMT

Anybody have Win Willy? My god did Patena run bad I'm in shock. Never expected that.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

CB Man — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:14:26 GMT

It seems the pundits were just all waiting for old fashioned to slip up.

As soon as he does, they start saying "pedigree.

I'm very sure anyone watching the race was wondering what on earth was

Dominguez doing.

He had the horse on a loose rein through a quarter in 22+

and a half in 46+, chasing a horse he knew was going to fade.

I don’t know if he was instructed to do so, but from where I sit

Old fashioned could have been handled a lot better.

He showed allot oh heart trying to battle in the stretch, but that

Break neck( dear i say "suicide") pace did him in. I wonder if

Dominguez fell asleep and lost hold of him.

I still think he has what it takes to be the Derby champ. He

just needs to be ridden like he should be.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Slew.em.All — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:15:29 GMT

General Quarters wins the TB Derby going away. Nowhere to Hide shows up in here instead of the La.Derby. Smart move by Zito considering it's raining in La. and he would've had a terrible PP there. He NEEDS Graded money so Zito should have him pretty cranked-up in here. I'll use him underneath to pick-up the pieces. Join In The Dance is interesting.Pletcher shows up outta' nowhere with this one,he must think highly of him.Ran a nice 3rd in his comeback against Imperial Council(i think),has been training good,2nd race off that lay-off and should enjoy this distance.Will also use in my exotics at a nice price,with Bear's Rocket rounding-out my live long-shots underneath GQ.I think HB is a play against in here.First time 2-turning and will have to see if he takes to that track,as with a couple of the shippers.

Friesan Fire all the way in the LA.Derby. Papa Clem for 2nd,with the closers Patena and Giant Oak completing the exotics..Thats the only way I'll make money in these 2 Chalky races,by keying GQ and FF on top.

BTW: Jason...Bernardini would've had Point Given for lunch any day of the week. :) Peace!!

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

BIGDONOKC — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:47:45 GMT

WITH A NAME LIKE WIN WILLY YOU HAVE TO LOVE THIS HORS BUT HE HAS NEVER GONE ANY DISTANCE OR BEEN IN A GRADE RACE.

SILVER CITY NEED THE WIN TO GET IN THE DERBY A SECOND WOULD NOT GIVE HIM THE MONEY HE NEED BUT OLD FASHION CAUGHT HIM LAST TIME OUT IF HE TRIES TO WIRE THE FIELD HE WILL COME UP SHORT AGAIN HE NEED A SMART RIDE.

CAPTAIN CHEROKEE HAS THE SPEED AND CAN CLOSE BUT IS OUT CLASS IN THIS RACE- BUY DON'T TELL HIM THIS FOR HE MIGHT JUST MOVE UP IN CLASS IN THIS RACE - HE CAN BEAT OLD FASHION IF HE GET A GOOD TRIP.

HIS GREATNESS HE HAS RAN IN GRADE RACE BUT IS TO OFF AND ON NO CONTEST HERE.

WISE KID HAS TO PROVE HE HAS CLASS HAS THE SPEED TO GET THERE BUT STILL HAS TO BEAT cc WILL HE TRYING TO BEAT (OLD FASHION) LOL

POINT HOUSE IS IN THE WRONG RACE NEED TO BE IN THE 4TH AT SANTA ANITA SO HE COULD GET 4TH.

POLTERGEIST NO WAY NOT IN THIS RACE,

HAMAZING DESTIY WOULD BE AMAZING IF HE COULD GO THE DISTACE AND TAKE OLD FASHION OUT BUT THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN

OLD FASHIONED THIS IS NOT A FREE TRIP FOR HIM HE HAS TO RUN HIS BEST TO BEAT CC HE DOES NOT NEED THE MONEY JUST THE WORK AND STILL HAS NOT GONE THE DISTANCE NEED TO BE A DERBY HORSE.

7/1/5 - 1/7/5/8 - 7/5/8 - 5/8/6 FIRST LOOK

LAST LOOK 1-2-6-7 STRAIGHT UP BUT WILL PLAY FIRST LOOK TICKET FOR ONLY ONE OF THESE CAN BEAT OLD F

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Wanda — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:48:56 GMT

Bushwacker hey if nobody else thinks your funny I sure do. You don't need nobody writing your stuff and as far as biting your tongue buddy I've got a piece missing on mine!

Jason I got registered on the live chat but I'm having trouble getting on. You know me I'm not computer friendly. Will phone a friend and get the down low on what I'm doing wrong. Later Dude.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

jerry — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:15:20 GMT

Does anybody know what happen to Ryehill Dancer....I expected him to run in California this week....

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

nickie — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:02:54 GMT

knowing the surface at Tampa is tuff to figure, Warriors Reward will certainly be of interest...connections very high on runner, and with his clear 2nd vs Dunkirk, may give us an idea of the laters' abilities!Tampa box ex. 3-4-5.

re: March 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Mike Relva — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:00:35 GMT

TO: gw_bushwacker

You are fooling yourself if you think Draynay and myself are the same person. Here's a tip,fire your comedy writer,it's not working!