CtC,

Glad to see you hit the race. I actually got tied up today and didn't get a bet in. Probably lucky, as I would have only keyed on top.

I am 38 today. That is how I got tied up.

I remember both Appealing Skier and Richly Blended. What I remember most about Appealing Skier was that he had no business being put in the Belmont Stakes his 3 year old season by Ben Perkins and he pushed a ridiculously fast first six furlongs. I had a very big bet on Skip Away at about 13-1 (from memory, not sure about the odds) and Skip Away was the only horse near the early pace to survive and he beat in a stretch duel by an inferior Editor's Note, with Shug's filly My Flag 3rd. I might still be living off of the money if Skippy had won.

But he was a good sprinter.

Richly Blended won one of the NY preps for the Derby, I am thinking it was the Gotham. Had some speed but couldn't stretch out. Perkins also? Not exactly sure. Was he the pacesetter in the Congaree/Monarchos Wood Memorial or am I getting my years confused?

I grew up going to Monmouth all the time, and Perkins was a regular 30% winner there. I don't know if he ever had a horse go off at 18-1 there, like Wildcat Heir did today.