trainers and the derby
 

there is no better example of how to do it and how not to do it than there is comparing nafzger and pletcher. one nominates 32 horses, throws them against the wall to see which one(s) stick, and then hopes for something good to happen. the other starts preparing his best horse in october, puts together a 6 month plan to peak in early may, and goes into the big day with all the questions answered. pletcher will get his one day, but it won't be until he chooses the one(s) he's going to the dance with in mid-fall. it's been stated many times that you can't win the derby as an after thought. i doubt there have been many trainers throughout the years that all the sudden, out of the blue, realized their horse was derby quality. i would guess you know it quite early, and work towards it. that's why all the winners have 2 year old foundation and, for the most part, a full resume. curlins don't win the kentucky derby. it's not a curse, it just takes all that preparation.