Hard Spun!!!

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I thought I read Hard Spun is being pointed towards the LA Derby, but I could be wrong. I like Zanjero as well, if he continues to improve he'll be a handful this year.

I think he may go in the Risen Star first but not sure. Any word on where Tiz Wonderful, Great Hunter, and Any Given Saturday are going this year? I know O'Neill said yesterday he was going to seperate Notional and Great Hunter so at least one should come east.

[smartyalex]

From Oaklawn's web site:


HARD SPUN ROMPS TO LECOMTE VICTORY ON SATURDAY
Undefeated Hard Spun, stabled at Oaklawn, travelled to the Fair Grounds in New Orleans for Saturday's featured $100,000 Lecomte Stakes and drew clear to an easy victory in the one mile event for three-year-olds.

The early favorite for the Arkansas Derby took command from the outset in the Lecomte under jockey Mario Pino and maintained the lead by nearly a length all the way to the head of the stretch.

Jockey Pino then asked the even-money favorite to finish up well and the bay son of Danzig drew clear from the field for his convincing win. Izzie's Halo, twice stakes-placed for trainer Tom Amoss, outlasted the six rivals for he place spot, while Sugar Bowl Stakes winner Teuflesberg, the second chice at 7-2, had no punch in the stretch and finished a distant third.

Racing in the silks of Fox Hill Farm, owner of previous Oaklawn stars Rockport Harbor and Round Pond, Hard Spun was taking his career record to four wins from four starts and his earnings to $160,970. Trainer Larry Jones has indicated that the next stop on the Triple Crown trail for Hard Spun will be the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn on Presidents' Day, Monday, February 19.

[smartyalex]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I think I got a workout notification for Tiz Wonderful at oaklawn so maybe he's going that route. I haven't heard anything about Any Given Saturday so maybe he's at Gulfstream. Great Hunter I have no idea.

5F Oaklawn
Tiz Wonderful 1/6/2007 Dirt GD B 1:07.00

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I think I got a workout notification for Tiz Wonderful at oaklawn so maybe he's going that route. I haven't heard anything about Any Given Saturday so maybe he's at Gulfstream. Great Hunter I have no idea.

Looks like Notional might be pointed to the Arkansas Derby and Great Hunter will stay west for the Robert Lewis (formerly Santa Catalina).

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Interesting, because Notional seems to really run well at Santa Anita.

Yeah, I kinda hope he fails anyways since I think that Mile was about his limit distance wise and he could be a very nice sprinter if not ruined in the Derby.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Samarta

One thing I find interesting is that Jones shipped Hard Spun to Oaklawn for the Winter and is now indicating that he will take the Louisiana route and not the Arkansas route to the Derby. If that pans out, I wonder how the folks at Oaklawn will feel about the connections. Probably already a little strained to begin with.

yeah, i saw he mentioned the la derby....hope he changes his mind.

[The Bid]

Hes taking the right route. Why stay at Oaklawn and get your head chopped off by Westwon

[avance2000]

Originally Posted by miraja2

I think you are right to get excited about this colt even though it is early. For me the key to enjoying the 3yo spring season is not to treat the races as nothing more than Kentucky Derby preps.
Some people enjoy trying to pick the winner of the Kentucky Derby in January. Fine. I don't. I have no way of knowing what kind of form Hard Spun will be in 4 months from now, or what other quality 3yos will emerge, but I do think he is a colt to watch for in the bigger 3yo races in the weeks ahead.

i just wanted to take a second to thank danzig188 and miraja2 for actually providing us with an interesting discussion about a derby contender they like without making any absurd predictions or declarations.
in this instance, i actually disagree with your analysis, because to me hard spun doesn't move in a way that makes me think he will be strong going 9+ furlongs against true g1/g2 competition. but regardless who is right, the colt is 4 for 4 so i can't blame you for liking him, but mainly i just appreciate your rational discussion, and most of all, your restraint.

[todko]

Visually impressive.

However the allowance types did the 1m40yds in 1:39+ -- Hard Spun was 1:37 and change for the mile. Nothing riveting but it's only January. Decent pace and ran out well.

The bigger concern is that he looks to be a "need the lead" type and that's unlikely to change by Derby.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by todko

Visually impressive.

However the allowance types did the 1m40yds in 1:39+ -- Hard Spun was 1:37 and change for the mile. Nothing riveting but it's only January. Decent pace and ran out well.

The bigger concern is that he looks to be a "need the lead" type and that's unlikely to change by Derby.

His Beyer came back somewhere in the 90 range.

I don't know about "needing the lead", nothing to me indicated that he was rank up there and he had a cool head about him. He's got a good way of going too, sort of glides across the ground.

[todko]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

His Beyer came back somewhere in the 90 range.

I don't know about "needing the lead", nothing to me indicated that he was rank up there and he had a cool head about him. He's got a good way of going too, sort of glides across the ground.

He's a solid horse. "Need the lead" types aren't necessarily rank -- and I didn't mean to imply that. Rather, he's going to the front and with other similar types in the field a race could set up for him to burn. In all his races he went to the front. Maybe he didn't need to rate because he was so superior. As he meets better competition and other horses improve his running style might go against him at 10 furlongs or even shorter distances.

I might actually be looking to bet against him if the right race comes up.

I wonder what figure Beyer gave the allowance horses who went 1m40yds in 1:39 and change?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by todko

He's a solid horse. "Need the lead" types aren't necessarily rank -- and I didn't mean to imply that. Rather, he's going to the front and with other similar types in the field a race could set up for him to burn. In all his races he went to the front. Maybe he didn't need to rate because he was so superior. As he meets better competition and other horses improve his running style might go against him at 10 furlongs or even shorter distances.

I might actually be looking to bet against him if the right race comes up.

I wonder what figure Beyer gave the allowance horses who went 1m40yds in 1:39 and change?

At least it looks like he will be facing a horse of quality (although of a completely different running style) in Circular Quay soon. Should be interesting to see how that race shapes up.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by todko

I wonder what figure Beyer gave the allowance horses who went 1m40yds in 1:39 and change?

Piety got a 97

http://www.drf.com/drfLeaderBoard.do?category=beyer

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by avance2000

i just wanted to take a second to thank danzig188 and miraja2 for actually providing us with an interesting discussion about a derby contender they like without making any absurd predictions or declarations.
in this instance, i actually disagree with your analysis, because to me hard spun doesn't move in a way that makes me think he will be strong going 9+ furlongs against true g1/g2 competition. but regardless who is right, the colt is 4 for 4 so i can't blame you for liking him, but mainly i just appreciate your rational discussion, and most of all, your restraint.

you're welcome!

i try not to get too up on these guys. too big a letdown when they can't sustain the pace we always set for them.

it's always interesting from now til may. some people back one horse come hell or high water. some bounce from horse to horse after each prep is run. always fun!!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Piety got a 97

http://www.drf.com/drfLeaderBoard.do?category=beyer

cool, thanks for posting that link....

and isn't oprah winny the dumbest name??

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

I think he may go in the Risen Star first but not sure. Any word on where Tiz Wonderful, Great Hunter, and Any Given Saturday are going this year? I know O'Neill said yesterday he was going to seperate Notional and Great Hunter so at least one should come east.

I know that Tiz Wonderful is going the Oaklawn Route. I don't know about the other two.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

cool, thanks for posting that link....

and isn't oprah winny the dumbest name??

Indeed it is!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

you're welcome!

i try not to get too up on these guys. too big a letdown when they can't sustain the pace we always set for them.

it's always interesting from now til may. some people back one horse come hell or high water. some bounce from horse to horse after each prep is run. always fun!!

I've got dibs on TIME SQUARED!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I've got dibs on TIME SQUARED!

well,....since you called dibs. i guess he's yours.
i feel comfortable calling dibs on hard spun. started keeping an eye on him when he went in the penna nursery. was hoping he would run well, and he did. but i am willing to share...
onward and (maybe) upward!

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

well,....since you called dibs. i guess he's yours.
i feel comfortable calling dibs on hard spun. started keeping an eye on him when he went in the penna nursery. was hoping he would run well, and he did. but i am willing to share...
onward and (maybe) upward!

Hopefully your wagon doesn't get too crowded....the Rick Porter (remember Rocky?) and Penn Nursery connections cause hysteria amongst racing fans!