I love when jockeys go on a kamikaze mission to make sure ( or try ) to eliminate a fellow runner. It never works to the aggressor's benefit.

I thought ADO was the most likely winner because he was the inside speed, who should save all the ground. Basically, Im in total agreement with you that Prado they away every advantage he had to win the race. Although I doubt it was Edgar's idea to go on the first turn attack.;) ;)

yea sure seems that is often the case. Whether or not Alma D'oro had any chance it was frustrating to see him needlessly wide when you expected him to be getting the early advantage.


after seeing it again - Dunkirk looked great. Bring on Old Fashioned.
Warrior's Reward had a better trip than I originally had thought but still ran a decent race.

How wonderful, two hopelessly overrated Unbridled Song's on the Derby Trail and is it only February.

DUNKIRK--98 BEYER.
Probaly a neagitve ten (-10) Thoro-graph.:eek:

Was the only two turn race of the day. They could make the figure anything they want.

Sorry Charlie but its the best we have.

It's hard to believe that SOME still think that PRADO can ride. That he's still a top jock. Some of his rides are just flat out RETARDED.

Today was one of his better efforts, actually. So he blew the 1st turn, rushed the horse in an attempt to collapse the pace, and got bent over. This wasn't anywhere near as bad as his ride on Giant Oak, for example. The difference, of course, and it's a SIGNIFICANT ONE, is that Giant Oak was best in that race, while Alma d'Oro would've getting CRUSHED, no matter what.

Dunkirk looked pretty impressive today. Where does he go from here? Todd Pletcher likes to space out time between races for his horses. Dunkirk needs to get graded earnings to get into the Derby. He could run in the Florida Derby or in the Lanes End. It will be interesting to see how Pletcher manages this horse.

I think he already said Florida Derby.

Florida Derby is on 3/28 so that is in line with Pletcher's track record of spacing of races. If he runs well I imagine it's straight to the Derby. That would be three preps in the horses three year old season. Is that enough racing experience or does that even matter anymore since most horses are lightly raced leading up to the Kentucky Derby anyway?

Number of races before the Derby doesn't matter anymore, 20 horses make it to the starting gate for the Derby, only about 3 ever want anything to do with 10 furlongs. As long as you are one of those 3 and are fit enough you'll be fine. He would have to win the Florida Derby to be assured a spot in the Kentucky Derby though since Gulfstream cut the purse to $750,000 which means 2nd will only get $150,000 which will put them on the bubble. It hardly matters though, this horse has about a 1 in 8 chance of even being in the Derby starting gate between the likelihood of injury and of not winning the Florida Derby.

Between Midshipman, Old Fashioned, Dunkirk, and Silver City ... which two are you referring to?

Dunkirk ran way better than I thought he would. That's for damn sure.

I'm thinking Old Fashioned and Dunkirk.

Is Midshipman still alive? Isn't he off in that Vineyard Haven known as Dubai where no Derby horses ever come back in time? And Silver City? The mediocre sprinter? I'm guessing you know which two overhyped horses I was talking about.

I might have known ... but at this point ... I'm not so sure I agree.

So are you living in an alternate universe where Midshipman and Silver City are overhyped or do you think a sub 100 Beyer Unbridled's Song running ok races in February like Old Fashioned or Dunkirk is really where we are going to find racing's next superstar?

That's a deep question.

Midshipman closed as something like the joint 3rd shortest price horse in last weeks Derby future wager ... and he's the 2yo champion ... it's not like no one is taking him serious.

Is it likely we will start seeing more 3yo's step up and run better? yeah. But it doesn't have to happen - and sometimes it doesn't. I think right now, those two UBS's horses have both done everything right in there two-turn races ... and I don't see a massive amount of hype for either right now.

With the way the last couple of KEE sept yearling sales have gone, its only going to get better for UBS.

Speaking of Dubai, the best shot they have to make an impact on the Derbytrail is with Desert Party. Whom which they have owned all along, before they went on their massive spending spree for Vineyard Haven and others.

Because I am terrible.