Two weeks in early spring to keep twenty 3Y0 healthy? There may be more defections, but perhaps not purposeful. How many times has someone stubbed their toe going into this race? Thousand Words (although that would be of no help to the AE’s at that point), King Guillermo, Finnick the Fierce, Art Collector, Omaha Beach, and Haikal all fairly recently. Plus some past significant scratches such as Uncle Mo, I Want Revenge, and AP Indy. There are a ton I did not mention or forgot I am sure as well.
Seems like this year the mood is not the typical I have enough points and I am running scenario with a number of apparently healthy horses waiting for the Preakness or going in a different spot. I think it is better than even money that King Fury has a chance to go if he wants - even if it means getting in from the AE list.
