Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

gw_bushwacker — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:01:18 GMT

little mikie relavant,

My statement is no more crazy than pulling for a horse because you like the trainer. It's the same kind of logic so where are your stupid comments to those who want to see Friesan Fire win because they like Larry Jones? I just happen to not like the owner so it's not the best story for me. Why I don't like him is not relavant. If you thought about what you said b4 you said it you wouldn't look so ridiculous. Liking a story because of the trainer is no different than not liking a story because of the owner. If it's ok one way then it's ok the other.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

margies — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:13:11 GMT

i hope larry jones wins this yr or general quarters i really like larry because of his sorrow of losing eight belles how i wish he wouldnt retire but i do understand why

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Tsali — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:54:27 GMT

You can watch and time allyou want too, but the real deal was the Pamplemosse if he was not worked that day on the muddy track at Santa Anita, we might would have seen the next Triple Crown sooo sad

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

classymare — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:16:09 GMT

Like Musket Man's story best but it would be nice if there was one posted for every horse likely to run. I think Pioneer Of The Nile(Zayat homebred) is a really nice horse and Desert Party might do well. Desert Party has the opposite story from Musket Man since he sold for $2.1M as a yearling. According to a horse rescue person Hollendorfer has sold horses at kill buyer auctions. Do not like A P Indy and am not fond of Larry Jones. I would like to see all horses have to pass a bone density scan before they can race to keep fragile horses from breaking down.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

SOS — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:54:03 GMT

I would love to see WIN WILLY take the Derby this year!! His sire, MONARCHOS, is the only horse to win the Derby in under 2:00, besides SECRETARIAT and is one of the best deals in Kentucky. WIN WILLY is a come from out of it runner, so post position shouldn't make a difference and I think he will like the distance. As for GQ, don't fault the horse because you disagree w/ the owner/trainers actions. This is a dream for Mr. McCarthy and sometimes we get caught up in it and can't think clearly (Like trying to remember to thank everyone, when winning an Academy Award). GQ has proven he belongs in the Derby and I think he has a very good chance.

WIN WILLY and GQ, one,two.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

J F — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:08:11 GMT

Jer-Mar Stables owners of Winwilly are what horse racing ownership is all about.Willywin! yes he can.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Bill C — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:14:58 GMT

I think the feel good story is General Quarters and would love to see him win the Derby but I think I Want Revenge will do that.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Andrea — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:55:22 GMT

Friesan Fire and Larry Jones! You've got to love the fact that Larry is a born and raised Kentuckian!

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

katy746 — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:46:24 GMT

I think General Quarters has the best story but I would love for Larry Jones to win with Friesan Fire.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Monica V — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:57:05 GMT

Quality Road has developed another quarter crack. He may not make the derby. Who will your pick be then, Draynay?

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

carla — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:20:50 GMT

General Quarters is my pick for story my heart is pulling for him & Friesan Fire. I picked GQ for the Lexington this year, one reason was I liked his background, bloodline and story. I liked Friesan Fire prior to his success and I have a lot of respect for Larry Jones.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Coldfacts — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:01:42 GMT

Musket Man by far. However, there is a gruop of horses that merit mention.

When the field for Derby 135 is finally assembled there is likely to be 12 colts from the Raise A Native sire line included. They are Regal Ransom, Quality Road, Desert Party, Dunkirk, POTN, Chocolate Candy, Win Willy, Papa Clem, Square Eddie, Flying Private, Summer Bird and Mine That Bird. Horses from this line have won 12 of the last 24 derbies. Now when there are 12 of the possible 20 derby starter from this line, one has to wonder if the other lines that have produced little or no winners in the last 24 year can survive a 12 horse attack. Folks this will be the Raise A Native’s line ‘Shock and Awe’

The next sire line with the largest block of potential starters is the A.P. Indy/Bold Ruler with I Want Revenge, Friesan Fire, General Quarters and Join In The Dance. No Horse from this line has won a derby in the last 24 years. Can these colts withstand the Raise A Native line’s ‘Shock and Awe’? I doubt it. Go Regal Ransom!

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

picksixny — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:51:35 GMT

i would love to see jimmy jerkens win. he is from a great training family with his dad the giant killer allen jerkens. jimmy a great trainer has punched himself a possible hall of fame career himself if he wins the derby. he is a very respectful and old school trainer that does the right thing by his horses. a derby win would validate and even may surpass his dad.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

ezzy — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:06:42 GMT

Friesan Fire and Larry Jones all the WAY!!

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Horswld — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:21:46 GMT

Greg J,

It's funny you should mention Silver Time because I am in the middle of teaching the finer points of horseracing to my six year old nephew who comes here from school and demands that I put the tv on the horses if it's not already on tvg. We were watching and he just stands up and says "Oh my gosh, look at her. She's really on the muscle. I like her. Yep! She's mine. That's the one I'm picking to win. She's going to walk the dog on them. Now who are you going to pick?" I comince to turn and look at this child in amazement. Walk the dog? He's a chip right off of his aunt-me of course. Just who was the horse he picked you may be wondering. Silver Time, Keeneland, race nine. And at the end of the race he looks up at me with a grin from ear to ear and says "Told you she'd walk the dog on them." That's my boy! By the way he likes FF too. Now that's a feel good story.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Jimsjam33 — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:09:58 GMT

Square Eddie was born into the Euro lifestyle early on as a 2 year old . He won a race or two and his connections said let's send him to the Breeders up in the US. He wins and is an instant success .

In the last four months he has a fractured leg , three new jockeys , a humilating loss to the Pamplemousse , and now a Japanese -American jockey for the Kentucky Derby . Yes , he has healed up and ran a " get ready race in the Lexington Coolmore Stakes where he finished third , but man o man did he make a move that woowed the crowd . Front 8th to 1st in 1/16th of a mile . The timing was bad , but the move was a thriller to watch . Square Eddie , Corey Nakatani , Doug O'Neil and J. Paul Reddam have been very special indeed . Poor Rafael Bejarano who jumped off this mount for Papa Clem ...You'll be sorry !

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

carol b — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:50:02 GMT

I think General Quarters by far has the best story. It would be amazing if he could win the Derby. The media attention would be unbelievable. As far as the story on the other trainer in Florida over the winter I really don't under stand it. I cannot see how it was Mr. McCarthy's responsibility to mention that the other person trained his horse last winter. I am sure he was paid for his work. Curlin had another trainer in the beginning and it was always Asmussen that got all the credit.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Denise — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:16:13 GMT

Tough one, although my vote went to General Quarters. I do think that Larry Jones is a class act and certainly wouldn't be disappointed to see his Fresian Fire win. (I was a huge Hard Spun supporter!) And I love Win Willy's sire. I don't think that Monarchos gets the credit that he deserves. Maybe this is his year.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Barrel Racer — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:54:12 GMT

I happen to be a high school principal and don't for one second think I am "god", but I do love horse racing. I would love to see an underdog like Musket Man win the derby. It's a deep and interesting field this year.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Greg J. — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:07:21 GMT

For Big Red,

I thought it was a cool back story about Chris Rosier/Summer Bird. I love the fact that Tim Ice is sticking with him, alot of other trainers would have opted for a big name. I love Summer Bird, Had him in the Tri. in Ark. Derby. I will put him third or forth in derby and cross my fingers, Has distance in him, just think this is asking way too much for an immature horse, but one never knows, He could be one to watch in Belmont(Even though Friesan Fire is taking home the Triple Crown)...

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

Mike Relva — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:58:24 GMT

TO:GW BUSHWACKER:

I want you to know that's a totally crazy statement regarding holding it against Gen. Quarters cause his trainer was a former principal. You've got to be kidding!

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

For Big Red — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:47:24 GMT

GREG J.: Nice story about Summer Bird, Tim Ice and Chris Rosier. The colt seems like a really nice sort. Love his pedigree and hope he has a career that will make him an attractive stallion prospect for a farm that will do right by him when the time comes.

The Derby is an awfully tough assignment for such a lightly raced colt. I hope he gives a good account of himself and comes out of the race in good shape. Afterwards, I hope his connections realistically pick their spots to give the colt a chance at actually winning some stakes races.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

DONNA — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:34:38 GMT

You go WOLVERINE. I do like Musket Man also. Was there and saw him win the Illinois Derby. Nice horse. Cannot part with my Freisan Fire though. Will have M.M. in my tri's.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

gw_bushwacker — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:25:19 GMT

I can't stand any principal (they all think they are gods) so that leaves out GQ. I gotta go with Quality Road cause he's going to blow them all away. In other words I'm not wishing i'm going with the winner. JR finally gets his Derby win (lmao it's without Pletcher) and the Jerkens family finally gets theirs.

re: Poll -- Which Derby Horse Has the Best Story Behind It?

WOLVERINE — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:46:26 GMT

Musket Man...He is unknown and overlooked by the racing world, though he won the Illinois Derby impressively.

Another War Emblem is coming to Kentucky!!!