Without commenting on his Derby Day chances, it is interesting to note that Afleet Al is one of the only contenders that has the look of a traditional Derby horse in that he had an extensive 2YO campaign and will have run 9 races when he faces the starter next Saturday.

The other contenders Bell Road (Derby will be 6th start), Bandini (6th start), High Fly (7th start), Greeley's Galaxy (5th start), Noble Causeway (7th start)and Sun King (8th start)are more similar to recent Derby heroes: Smarty (6 starts prior to Derby), Funny Cide (6), War Emblem (7), Monarchos (6), FuPeg (5), Grindstone (5).

Caveat to supporters of Greeley's and Hi Limit: No Derby winner since Exterminator (1918)won with only 4 starts prior to the Derby.

Of the last 9 Derby winners, only 4 were 2YO stakes winners: (Real Quiet and Silver Charm won graded stakes, Smarty and Funny won state bred stakes).

With regards to the traditional way of bringing a colt to the Derby, the times they are a changing, and its interesting that even the "old school" Afleet Al is being "interval trained" (multiple trips to the track each morning) up to the Derby.



Post Edited (04-30-05 13:13)