2019 Derby Trail: Bourbon War brings Belmont field to 10

[Kasept]

5/4 (CD): KENTUCKY DERBY

1. War of Will (Casse/Gaffalione) 20-1
2. Tax (Gargan/Alvarado) 20-1
3. By My Standards (Calhoun/G. Saez) 20-1
4. Gray Magician (Miller/Van Dyke) 50-1
5. Improbable (Baffert/I. Ortiz) 6-1
6. Vekoma (Weaver/Castellano) 20-1
7. Maximum Security (Ja. Servis/L. Saez) 10-1
8. Tacitus (Mott/J. Ortiz) 10-1
9. Plus Que Parfait (Walsh/R. Santana) 30-1
10. Cutting Humor (Pletcher/Smith) 30-1
13. Code of Honor (McGaughey/Velazquez) 15-1
14. Win Win Win (Trombetta/Pimental) 15-1
15. Master Fencer (Tsunoda/Leparoux) 50-1
16. Game Winner (Baffert/Rosario) 5-1
17. Roadster (Baffert/Geroux) 6-1
18. Long Range Toddy (Asmussen/Court) 30-1
19. Spinoff (Pletcher/M. Franco) 30-1
20. Country House (Mott/Prat) 30-1
21. Bodexpress (Delgado/Landeros) 30-1


5/18 (PIM): PREAKNESS STAKES

1. War of Will (Casse/Gaffalione) 4-1
2. Bourbon War (Hennig/I. Ortiz) 12-1
3. Warrior's Charge (Cox/Castellano) 12-1
4. Improbable (Baffert/Smith) 5-2
5. Owendale (Cox/Geroux) 10-1
6. Market King (Lukas/Court) 30-1
7. Alwaysmining (Rubley/Centeno) 8-1
8. Signalman (McPeek/B. Hernandez) 30-1
9. Bodexpress (A. Delgado/J. Velazquez) 20-1
10. Everfast (Romans/Rosario) 50-1
11. Laughing Fox (Asmussen/Santana) 20-1
12. Anothertwistafate (Wright/J. Ortiz) 6-1
13. Win Win Win (Trombetta/Pimental) 15-1


6/8 (BEL): BELMONT STAKES

War of Will (Casse)
Sir Winston (Casse)
Intrepid Heart (Pletcher)
Spinoff (Pletcher)
Master Fencer (Tsunoda)
Tacitus (Mott)
Everfast (Romans)
Bourbon War (Hennig)
Tax (Gargan)
Joevia (Sacco)

[RHT2004]

I think Mucho Gusto is a sprinter, but he might just be better then that field

[moses]

Hmm. I was thinking the Holy Bull could be a nice spot for Weaver to place Vekoma and then line him up for the Florida Derby. I recall when he skipped the Remsen that the goal was late January to get him back to racing.

Two workouts in the past few weeks. 3F - Breezing - 38.51 on 1/12/19. 4F - Breezing - 49.87 on 1/19/19.

I guess they’re giving him more time.

[moses]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

I think Mucho Gusto is a sprinter, but he might just be better then that field

Tough to say. I give Gunmetal Gray a slight chance to win though I don’t see the pace setting up for him to close enough ground late.

I kind of like Nolo Contesto to win that race if that’s how the field stays.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by moses

Hmm. I was thinking the Holy Bull could be a nice spot for Weaver to place Vekoma and then line him up for the Florida Derby. I recall when he skipped the Remsen that the goal was late January to get him back to racing.

Two workouts in the past few weeks. 3F - Breezing - 38.51 on 1/12/19. 4F - Breezing - 49.87 on 1/19/19.

I guess they’re giving him more time.

Just worked another slow 1/2 mile this morning (:51 and change). Not sure if that was by design, but he either isn't doing well or they are bringing him along slowly. Perhaps the bad weather in FL accounts for the slow time and the 10-day gap between works.

[RHT2004]

Hopefully Moretti moves forward with a fast race.

[moses]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Just worked another slow 1/2 mile this morning (:51 and change). Not sure if that was by design, but he either isn't doing well or they are bringing him along slowly. Perhaps the bad weather in FL accounts for the slow time and the 10-day gap between works.

They said previously that they didn’t want to rush him, but those times aren’t too encouraging regardless. It’s good to see that only one horse ran the distance in under 49 seconds.

I was really impressed with him in the Nashua. I hope he’s doing well and they’re just bringing him along slowly. Maybe the Fountain of Youth then.

[FATPIANO]

Any idea who is running in risen star? Southwest? Elcamino?

[FATPIANO]

Sam davis?

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

Hopefully Moretti moves forward with a fast race.

Moretti flattered by Motagally today. I do think last time is the only time he will finish in front of Motagally as those Union Rags seem to get better with racing.

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

I think Mucho Gusto is a sprinter, but he might just be better then that field

He looked strong in the stretch today. Impressive.
Moretti was awful
Solent was bet dead and ran like it.
Not sure how Harvey Wallbanger was 25-1. He ran great every race.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

He looked strong in the stretch today. Impressive.
Moretti was awful
Solent was bet dead and ran like it.
Not sure how Harvey Wallbanger was 25-1. He ran great every race.

Maybe I’m forgetting someone but Mucho Gusto looked better than any 3YO I’ve seen this year.

Harvey Wallbanger has run well in all 5 of his races but seemed to always come up short. But I didn’t understand the odds either. I thought he deserved to be somewhere around 10-1, not 25-1.

[Alabama Stakes]

Definitely worth watching replays of all his races. Made big move against smart winner in debut, bulled his way through holes in other races. Very competitive. When watching the cap of his jockey, it’s amazing how fast he passes hosses.

[moses]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Just worked another slow 1/2 mile this morning (:51 and change). Not sure if that was by design, but he either isn't doing well or they are bringing him along slowly. Perhaps the bad weather in FL accounts for the slow time and the 10-day gap between works.

I just tracked a blogpost down from HRN from a few weeks ago. Apparently Weaver said the Risen Star and Southwest are possibilities for Vekoma but they’re probably looking at either the Fountain of Youth or the Gotham.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

Definitely worth watching replays of all his races. Made big move against smart winner in debut, bulled his way through holes in other races. Very competitive. When watching the cap of his jockey, it’s amazing how fast he passes hosses.

I know I’ve seen at least 4 of his 5 races live. I’ll go back and watch some of the replays. I like him. I think he’s still a notch below the top horses. Maybe he’ll continue to improve.

[moses]

Just a workout update on Vekoma.

Feb 10 - 5f: 1:02.47 (3/3)
Feb 16 - 5f: 1:00.73 (3/6)

Encouraging to see from him. Hopefully he’s gearing up for the Fountain of Youth.

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by moses

Just a workout update on Vekoma.

Feb 10 - 5f: 1:02.47 (3/3)
Feb 16 - 5f: 1:00.73 (3/6)

Encouraging to see from him. Hopefully he’s gearing up for the Fountain of Youth.

I like when works show the trainer tightening the screws.

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by moses

Just a workout update on Vekoma.

Feb 10 - 5f: 1:02.47 (3/3)
Feb 16 - 5f: 1:00.73 (3/6)

Encouraging to see from him. Hopefully he’s gearing up for the Fountain of Youth.

I like when works show the trainer tightening the screws.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

I like when works show the trainer tightening the screws.

Agreed. Looks like they eased him back and are now putting him to work. Can’t wait to see when he runs.

[wac]

Vekoma was a horse I put on watch list when he won maiden was impressed w time but then someone was talking about his action n that he paddles which could lead to issues. Have u guys heard anything about that?