CH--

I always looked at SUN KING as pretty much a one-paced horse.

For the Derby, I prefer someone with a turn of foot ( BANDINI is first to come to mind but the training interruption is a big concern). That's probably why Woody Stephens always liked the miler types ( I like to extend that to include 7f pace pressure horses) translating well to a 1 1/4.

If you look at all of the Derby contenders, the most impressive runners at 7f and 1 mile are BANDINI, HIGH FLY, BELLAMY ROAD, and HIGH LIMIT. I'm not surprised they were all able to run so well when stretched out.

Now go back at some Derby winners like UNBRIDLED, FERDINAND, SILVER CHARM, SEA HERO, MONARCHOS, SMARTY JONES, WAR EMBLEM, LIL E TEE. Not to mention the strong runners up like FORTY NINER, EASY GOER, and LION HEART. All of the above mentioned had impressive wins at 7f and or 1 mile as 2 or 3yos.

I think we tend to get too wrapped up in the 1 1/16th and 1 1/8 performances. Not to say they are not important, but we should look at the entire picture when trying to gauge who will get a mile and a quarter in May.


Good Luck,
Joe B.