4/5 (SA): Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) + 3 Gr. II Stakes

[Bobby Fischer]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I dont see how one can separate Col. John and El Gato right now, especially based on their last race. What indicates at this point that Col. John is superior to El Gato Malo?

El Gato Malo has the lack of stamina in his pedigree, most importantly in his female family. The pace of the race and the synthetic surface were the only reasons that El Gato Malo was able to run a quality 9 furlongs in a competitive graded race.

My hunch is that the slow pace in the last race was relatively important. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe El Gato Malo can run in a faster paced 9 furlong synthetic race and not flatten out. It is a tough subjective call. I am not keying against him, only observing.

[King Glorious]

El Gato Malo
Surf Cat

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by GPK

I love the way Polonius looked in his maiden breaker and in the Pasadena. Anxious to see how his form will be on the synthetic, but I love the way he moves. Obvious class test, but he will be on my ticket.

Thinking the same thing. The works surely give some confidence he'll make the surface switch at a nice price.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fischer

El Gato Malo has the lack of stamina in his pedigree, most importantly in his female family. The pace of the race and the synthetic surface were the only reasons that El Gato Malo was able to run a quality 9 furlongs in a competitive graded race.

My hunch is that the slow pace in the last race was relatively important. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe El Gato Malo can run in a faster paced 9 furlong synthetic race and not flatten out. It is a tough subjective call. I am not keying against him, only observing.

I agree his pedigree suggests (to you & me anyway) that the distance should be a problem.

Playing against El Gato Malo.

[Mike]

I'm also with Polonius, expecting him to be on the lead after the demise of Bob Black Jack, who seems to have proven class limitations. So much for the 10-1 odds, as several here are on him

[cowgirlintexas]

Originally Posted by asudevil

In a shocker.......

I'm thinkin' same thing... Keepin' my fingers crossed. "Mamma needs a new pair of shoes"

[2Hot4TV]

I find it had to believe that Yankee Bravo was wobbling like a short horse going to the wire. You cant trust anything coming off the synthetic track at Santa Anita and going to the Kentucky Derby.

[cowgirlintexas]

dang....Coast Guard almost pulled it off...

[wac]

Well now i have a problem b/c colonel john could not have looked more impressive and although he looks big(is he?) it seems like he has a pretty good ability to get through traffic. While im not thrilled w the trainer the horse did look good. Now what the heck am i gonna do with him on KD day??I have him in the 1st pool of futrue bet so i guess it would be dumb to bet him to win right??

[Cajungator26]

Everybody toss Colonel John. He's my Derby horse and I want good odds on him on May 3rd.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by cowgirlintexas

dang....Coast Guard almost pulled it off...

No thats Bob Black Jack almost pulled it off and with the earning from his 2ond place finish he's in the Derby.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

I just noticed that Coast Guard replaced Gyrder with Joe Tala-blows ( everybodys super star last year) and Polonious dropped Jon Court for Victor Espinoza.

When Derby fever sets in you find out who your friends really are.

For the record...the trainer said they wanted Court to re-ride, but he was comitted on another horse and they had no choice but to seek someone else (Victor). Court's horse got hurt and he was available, but they were comitted to Victor.

[prudery]

Colonel John won this one powerfully like a Derby contender should ... Juxtapose this race's ending with the wobbling finale to the Wood ...
I am glad, however that War Pass erased the musings that he was War Emblem revisited, as he was pressed on the lead, and pressed at the end and showed heart .... I do not see him getting an extra furlong comfortably, but he earned respect from me and almost continued his winning ways ...
Colonel John as all the commentators mentioned, galloped out strongly after that finish ...

[sumitas]

Originally Posted by prudery

Colonel John won this one powerfully like a Derby contender should ... Juxtapose this race's ending with the wobbling finale to the Wood ...
I am glad, however that War Pass erased the musings that he was War Emblem revisited, as he was pressed on the lead, and pressed at the end and showed heart .... I do not see him getting an extra furlong comfortably, but he earned respect from me and almost continued his winning ways ...
Colonel John as all the commentators mentioned, galloped out strongly after that finish ...

And Harty and Nakatani both said the poly to dirt angle does not apply. They are confident the switch is a non factor.

Originally Posted by sumitas

And Harty and Nakatani both said the poly to dirt angle does not apply. They are confident the switch is a non factor.

Yeah...

We'll see.

[prudery]

Originally Posted by sumitas

And Harty and Nakatani both said the poly to dirt angle does not apply. They are confident the switch is a non factor.

I heard that in the telecast ... And I felt their confidence---the fastest and most impressive Derby prep at the distance so far ...

[2MinsToPost]

Anyone else catch where Donna Brothers held up a rather large chunk of tire from the track surface. Yikes

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by prudery

I heard that in the telecast ... And I felt their confidence---the fastest and most impressive Derby prep at the distance so far ...

You think?!

[prudery]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

You think?!

Yeah, bubba, I do ...

[wac]

Im pretty new but i agree to me SA derby was the best prep race ive seen so far. They were saying on hrtv that colonel john came home in 35 seconds which seems pretty quick.right?what do i know but john and pyro "looked" the best 2 me so far.