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From SI cover story this week:
The powerful chestnut colt might be the most unseasoned Derby runner ever, running just two career races and somewhat ominously landing on the Santa Anita “vet’s list” after winning his debut in early March. That means veterinarians had a physical concern about Taiba, who is owned by the owner of Medina Spirit, Amr Zedan. Taiba was listed as “unsound,” indica
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Sets up for Royal Charlotte who gets weight from several and ready to pop a new top, will need it to win.
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Corrected, it was the Breeders Futurity. Further to the distance question, the ranking method they utilized had him at the top rung being inbred to Northern Dancer: 5S X 5S X 5D X 5D and sired by Tiznow. They were pleasantly surprised at his run off not expecting that precocious of a 2 year old.
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Dale was on Steve's show today, the last half hour. Radio gold as stated and well worth a listen for a good chuckle. Someone should "ghost" write a book packed with all those gems, most everyone else is too PC/corporate in this era.
He explains the Ellis race and talks about the horse in full detail. He also noted that the last horse to break it's maiden at 2 on the dirt at S
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It looks like only one was a Baffert trainee (Mor Spirit).
He has two that "qualify" this year, both appear to moving forward and at better odds due to their recent loses. Very few names on that list stood out as horses I really expected to run well.
As a side note, Lucky Dan placed in the 3rd race at Riverside Park that day:
The Riverside Park Jockey Club operated from 1928 to
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He was definitely sent. Ortiz was low on his back and pumping his arms from the get go, unfortunately Mendelsshon went with him. O'Brien wants to keep sharpening his speed and liked the race as a set up for the Breeder's Cup. Me thinks it was a bad decision either by jock or trainer. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., on Diversify, said: "The track was fast and I had to go harder than usual
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And now back to our regularly scheduled programming..... several observations on the whole sorted lame affair.
Baffert is historically known for not arriving to the barn at the crack of dawn.
As the post race presser wrapped up a few journalists came up and asked what time they should show up on Sunday, 8 am was the response. Most likely he gave instructions to not take the horse out until h
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Besides the general idea of letting this large horse continue to grow into his frame, Elliot Walden in the post race presser revealed this nugget.
They had been wanting to get some horses to Baffert, once they sent Justify to him in 2017 he resided at the Los Al training center and Walden was nervous that he wouldn't get the personal attention at the B stable. He kept asking Baffert whe
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Take that 25 seconds with a grain of salt, Meydan must have a very short run up to the timer similar to Gulstream Park 1 mile races where the 2nd quarter is always faster than the 1st.
For comparison, later that night Thunder Snow led in 25.73 (http://www.dubairacingclub.com/race/racing-info/trakus-chart). West Coast, who is not slow ran 25.88.
Medelsshon does have natural speed and has
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Exactly, stable rider just like the old days. If he told him to hold the horse he would, extremely loyal family style operation. O'Neill made a bad tactical call, won the battle but lost the war. He is not worried about getting fired either and they all feel bad for the horse himself they hold in high regard. I thought he would let any speed go by and get outside, normally the case when y
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80K wager just placed on Stradivari at Laurel confirmed, now at 3/5 odds
Nyqvist was 4/5 moved up to 5/2 and Exaggerator to 9/2.
Talk was that Stradivari would be over bet have already come true.
Most of the money is not in the pools yet so odds should settle back closer to where they were prior.
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Early odds in per TVG, pool size must be small at this point:
Nyquist 7/5
Exaggerator 3/2
Likelihood of wet track and amount of speed in race must be influences.
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From the other side of the pond whose author makes many salient points:
5. That joke isn’t funny anymore
The kind of analytical slant that now is heavily featured on television in many sports is not everyone’s cup of tea. Fair play. Nobody, however technically minded, should have a problem with this as a choice. It’s a lifestyle choice for many to prefer ‘feel’ over measurement, instinct
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One last poke:
Nyquist cannot get the Preakness distance because Uncle Mo never won at that distance and furthermore it is not the exact distance that he just proved his naysayers wrong. On a breeding note, Uncle Mo (first crop) had a better chance to produce a Derby winner than leading sire Tapit (8 crops of racing age), both had multiple starters this year. Seems the pattern is if you are th
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Per jock:
"The hard rain made it 45 and change but it was really like 46 and change," said Mike Smith, Danzing Candy's jockey. "The track was very, very, very quick."
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Last I checked the Preakness is for 3 year olds and not for horses who were 3 years old in 2015. Comparisons of the like may be fine for bar stool conversations but do not forward handicapping one iota.
Furthermore, to address some of the figure backlash we must concede the numbers themselves are correct. No one else has produced them for the public with as sophisticated methodologies and exp
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Inside sticky and not the best, Moyhamen was only 1 wide and was climbing badly until he got off the rail and leveled off down the lane. Had shown this dislike to a sticky track in FL. One small sample but echoes the premise. Middle of the track has standing water so that leaves the ground in between as the only good footing. Nyquist tactical advantage help create a perfect trip and also assis
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Yes, more on that work:
Exaggerator Works for Kentucky Derby Bid
by Claire Novak
4/30/2016 10:16:00 AM
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Exaggerator put in his final pre-race breeze ahead of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of April 30 at Churchill Downs, going five furlongs in 1:02 3/5 under jockey Kent Desormeaux.
Trainer Keith Desormeaux, the Hall of
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Desormeaux likes to work them slower than most, with stronger finishes. Fewer horses to work with (doesn't grind on them) and emphasis on developing younger distance runners. Track record is pretty good, here is a nice read from Bloodhorse, interesting that both he and Baffert respect Nyqvist while others don't.
A Derby Rookie's First Churchill Morning
by Claire Novak
4/30
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He was 4 to 5 in the Florida Derby and Nyquist was 6 to 5.
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There he was the best horse per Amoss and instructed to stay clear of trouble, not the case here so he might take the inland route in a change of strategy.
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Per jock, lost it even before the start but given the race set-up and lack of number power would still have been hard pressed to hit the board.
“Empty. He was done at the three-eighths today,” said Martin Garcia, who rode Cupid. “He was too anxious today going to the gate.”
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Double ship and a big effort within a week, no surprise there. Only if antibiotics were eventually used would I be concerned. They usually vitamin jug them post race so maybe another dose for him soon.
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For what it's worth, my take on Moyahmen:
Based on Trackus ground loss at the point Moyhamen reached Nyquist's flank he had ceded 6 to 7 lengths after completing both turns, combined with the fact he didn't ever take the bit (jockey speak) left him rubber legged and tired for the first time down the stretch. Previous efforts had left him non-winded, I was on hand for all 3 races
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Agree this could be the race to take a stand, surface is a little tricky and local horses with track preference often prevail in some the lesser stakes.
If he runs well and comes out ok the Oaklawn Handicap on Arkansas Derby day might be a wager or a use in horizontals just as a toss may be in order on the 19th for the same.
The stakes schedule that day:
Saturday, March 19 - $350.000 Razor
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Upstart to Return in Oaklawn’s Razorback
Thursday, March 10, 2016| Lauren King
Ralph Evans and WinStar Farm’s Upstart (Flatter) is set to make his 4-year-old debut in the GIII Razorback H. at Oaklawn Park Mar. 19, trainer Rick Violette Jr. confirmed Thursday.
Runner-up to Daredevil (More Than Ready) in the 2014 GI Champagne S. and a wide-trip third to Texas Red (Afleet Alex) in the GI Br
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He likes to take them to Oaklawn Park, safe surface and similar to Churchill Downs. OP has proven to be a great launchpad for 3 yr olds more than a decade.
Possible next start:
Saturday, March 19 - $900,000 Rebel (G2) - 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles
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Not considering the turf has been dominated by Euros/more recently Wise Dan and Chad Brown runners. You would think he would have a few wins though.
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Just hope he runs and adds pace to AP so you can toss them both. Winner most likely comes from the 2nd flight.
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She misses Rosie (not kidding!), the 3w aren't the issue but relaxing for her rider has been.
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