Derby preps or 12.5K claimers at Laurel?

Yesterday morning I was ready to make my 2008 blog debut with an entry describing the early Derby preps as a bunch of “meh” races with two notable exceptions. Well, after the Florida Derby yesterday afternoon there are now three notable exceptions. Kent Desormeaux rode Big Brown hard from post position 12 and made the lead on the clubhouse turn. Big Brown maintained that lead down the backstretch and into the far turn with his ears pricked. He drew off down the stretch and won by 5 lengths in a quick time of 1:48. Easy, and visually impressive.

The original notable exceptions I was going to discuss were Pyro in the Risen Star and Adriano in the Lane’s End. Pyro was last on the final turn at the Fairgrounds and appeared hopelessly behind a wall of horses well into the stretch. Suddenly, he found a hole, motored through, and opened a three length lead in less time than it took to type this sentence. For the Derby, I like a horse who has demonstrated the willingness to follow a jockey’s commands as well as the physical ability to catch up to the moving holes and run through them.

Adriano encountered no difficulties in the Lane’s End. He stalked the pace, took command going into the far turn and proceeded to use his powerful stride to just gallop the rest of the field into submission. Of course he’s a turf/fake dirt horse, and his only dirt try was abysmal, but his connections are thinking a Kentucky Derby try is worth some consideration. I’m torn myself. I’d like to see him run at Churchill Downs, but I think I’d like to see him run in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs even more. This could be a new turf star in the making.

The rest of the big Kentucky Derby preps will be run in the next couple of weeks. Maybe we will get a few more notable performances to discuss.


Until then I remain,
The Annoyed Handicapper

My Current Top Ten

My Current Top Ten

March 15, 2008

1. Pyro: Dominating

2. War Pass: I believe he was sick today. He’s beaten Pyro 3 times already…but hasn’t raced against him this year.

3. Visionaire: Bright star...winner of Gotham

4. Tomcito: The mystery horse. Will run Florida Derby. Has only run in Peru against older horses and has won at 1 ¼ and 1 ½ . Brother of Street Sense

5. Denis of Cork: Promising

6. Cool Coal Man: Promising

7. Colonel John: Excellent Poly California Start

8. Georgie Boy: Won the San Felipe today

9. Court Vision: Modest campaign

10. Blackberry Road: Potential

11. Z Fortune: Disappointing in the Rebel-rider switch at last second

12. Check It Twice: Missing in Action so far…if he ever runs, he may be a strong factor

13. Big Truck: Won the Tampa Bay Derby today over War Pass and Atoned

14. Atoned: Solid also ran

15. Yankee Bravo: Solid also ran

It certainly was a big day in racing. Georgie Boy won the San Felipe. Sierra Sunset won the Rebel, and Big Truck took the Tampa Bay Derby upsetting massive favorite and last place finisher, War Pass.

ACC and Horse Racing

A big weekend awaits us. Not only is there exciting Virginia Tech ACC Tournament basketball to watch, but there is a nice line-up of horse races. Our little family contest will be focusing on these races:

3/15	Rebel (GII)	Oaklawn
3/15	San Felipe (GII)	Santa Anita
3/15	Tampa Bay Derby (GIII)	Tampa Bay Downs
3/16	Winstar Derby	Sunland

Anak Nakal and Z Fortune lead the list of horses running in the Rebel at Oaklawn. For both of these horses, the race is quite important. Many of us also have Garrett Gomez as one of the stable jocks. So the race is really shaping up. I'm also very interested in King's Silver Son, a 12-1 shot from Asmussen. Shaun Bridgmohan will be in the saddle. He seems to have a Midas touch lately.

In the San Felipe, popular plodder, Georgie Boy will be running agains with Gayego and Bob Black Jack figuring to be the greatest competition. Personally, I'm rooting for Southwest (VA) at 15-, but then again that's primarily a geographic thing.

The mighty War Pass runs in the Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday. It's no secret to anyone that I talk to about horses (my sister), that I love this horse. I'll never forget how he ran to the first turn in the BC Juvenile, right at me with power and purpose. Although War Pass is a heavy favorite, Big Truck (a horrible name for a living creature) and Atoned will be the primary paper challengers.

On paper, Sunday's Winstar Derby at Sunland Park looks to be most competitive. Pre-race odds pack four horses that have limited hype at 5-1 or better. Winsome Charm, Liberty Bull, Poni Colada (another horribe, too cute name), and Ablaze With Spirit are all getting attention. I know nothing about any of these horses; however, I do know that Garrett Gomez will be riding Ablaze With Spirit, so it could be a big weekend for him.

In our little family contest, Schanuci has bolted past Walkin'Tall. Schanuci also continues to vault up the international leader board coming in this week at 1339.

League Rank	Score	Stable Name	Player
1	73	SCHANUCI	John Ryder
2	68	Walkin' Tall	Andrew Ryder
3	64	Antilles Stable	Elizabeth Ryder
3	64	Princess Shea	philip martinez
5	60	Miracles	Thom Ryder
6	47	Yes We Can	John Wallace
7	45	APACHE_ROSE_PEACOCK	Andrew Ryder
8	40	Creasy Greens	Thomas Ryder
9	33	Clifton Pond Stable	Rebecca Ryder

Remember, this is the week you can pick out your extra stable horses. By the way, Virginia Tech defeated Miami (The U) today in the ACC Tournament and will play UNC tomorrow at 1:30 est.

Geaux Hokies!

Lost in the Fog

Visionaire got Lost in the fog today at Aqueduct in the Gotham and sneaked a nose ahead to win. You must watch the video. The horses move to the backstretch and simply disappear. The track announcer says, "The three year olds have disappeared...." When they emerged from the fog the last time, Visionaire could be seen making a mad dash for the line in just in front of Texas Wildcatter in a photo.

In the Lousiana Derby, Pyro detonated the field again. It's his second straight dominating performance. This time he finished ahead of deep long shot My Pal Charlie (60-1) and Yankee Bravo. Take of Ekati and Majestic Warrior finished disappointingly.

Our Little Contest

Our little contest has become quite a podium for making a statement by Walkin' Tall. Andrew has cobbled together a very competitive stable that is ranked 953 overall out of more than 17,000 stables.

Rank	Score	Stable Name	Player
1	53	Walkin' Tall	Andrew Ryder
2	45	SCHANUCI	John Ryder
3	44	Princess Shea	philip martinez
4	41	Antilles Stable	Elizabeth Ryder
5	40	Miracles	Thom Ryder
6	35	Yes We Can	John Wallace
7	33	APACHE_ROSE_PEACOCK	Andrew Ryder
8	32	Creasy Greens	Thomas Ryder
9	21	Clifton Pond Stable	Rebecca Ryder

There are two score-able races this week. The Louisiana Derby features popular pick Pyro pacing a pack of plucky plodders.

1. Stevil, Calvin H. Borel
2. My Pal Charlie, Julien R. Leparoux
3. Pyro, Shaun Bridgmohan
4. J Be K, Kent J. Desormeaux
5. Unbridled Vicar, Corey J. Lanerie
6. Tale of Ekati, Edgar S. Prado
7. Blackberry Road, Robby Albarado
8. Yankee Bravo, Alex O. Solis
9. Majestic Warrior, Garrett K. Gomez

Pyro should blast the talented field, but Yankee Bravo and Tale of Ekati may give him a horse race. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention J Be K. My college roommate passed away from a heart attack 2.5 years ago. His name was Joel Bek, J Bek. I find it fascinating that a horse bears his name.

The Gotham looks like a battle between favorite Giant Moon, Roman Emporer, and Visionaire. I'm looking for Visionaire to come up with the winning performance with a quick pace.