TGJB,

With regard to Thunder Gulch, my memory is that his TG number was good before Kentucky, dissapointing in the BG, and obviously decent in the Derby. That BG put a lot of folks of him, but it really wasn't as bad a race as the TG fig (or Beyers) showed because of the way the race evolved and the way the track was playing. (I didn't know you had tabbed him [congrats], but I nailed him independant from the TGs and my personal observations at the BG.)

With regard to the Ben Ali and Pies Prospect, Beyer gave PP a bad number in 4/9 race. But again, based on the way KEE was playing that day, I figured him to run back to his Florida form in the Ben Ali (and I think I wasn't far off).

Although I didn't see the TGs for the Ben Ali, other posts on the board seem to indicate that not many would have backed Farish's horse from the figs, especially as the short priced favorite. Neverhtheless, Farish's SIX YEAR OLD horse managed to run the TWO BEST races of his life back to back at Keeneland and win handily. Of course, we locals were not all surprised by this seeming minor miracle (we made Alumni Hall the favorite) as Farish horses most always seem to run several points better at KEE than anywhere else. Still, I bet the horse with the highest top hoping for an "upset."

In short, the 4/9 prep and the Ben Ali are examples of why I imagine that KEE must be horrible to make figs for. I know its hard to use them at KEE. (Its also why I wouldn't through out Frankel's horse in the Derby, especially if Bobby can get him to rate.)

Best wishes,

DB