Derby Thoughts - Animal Kingdom going forward; Mo

[Travis Stone]

Andy and Eric said on Talking Horses today that this is the type of year where the Triple Crown might be easier versus a year with a more top-heavy/competitive group and I agree.

I'm not saying Animal Kingdom can or will win the Triple Crown, but it's hard to argue with his effort today. Slow pace and all, he won fair and square. What happens if he gets pace? Plus, happy for Graham Motion, who is definitely one of the good guys in racing.

Nehro ran big, he'll be useful down the road too.

And what if - big what if - Uncle Mo were at his best today? Slow pace, tracking it, if not setting it... it's hard to imagine he doesn't open-up in the stretch, and then it's a matter of whether or not gets there first.

For a Derby trail that was frustrating and disappointing, it turned out okay today... but I do hope in the years to come we can return to triple digit preps and performances throughout the early spring.