Derby Droppings and a Masters Pick (800 Views)
Posted by:
richiebee (IP Logged)
Date: April 04, 2006 11:04AM
Derby Droppings:
BARBARO was good, SHARP HUMOR was game, but they basically separated themselves from the field and staged a two horse speed duel which will not serve as any kind of preparation for a 20 horse cavalry charge. Nothing like a 10 horse Grade 1 where 8 of the entrants don't fire at all.
Is TODD PLETCHER this years NICK ZITO? Will he send out 5 runners in the Derby? Will he have the same success as NZ did? Are any of NZ's colts Derby worthy this year?
Like BOB BAFFERT or not, he has been a major participant in the Derby/Triple Crown and his opinion has some weight when it comes to 3Y0s. BB has been heaping praise on BRO DEREK throughout the winter, and ships his best prospect, BOB AND JOHN, 3000 miles into the Wood, which in itself comes up pretty tough, to avoid BRO.
If BRO DEREK wins the Santa Anita Derby, as expected, he will be favored and not BARBARO. If BRO DEREK (trainer is in a wheelchair), LAWYER RON (owner drowned in swimming pool) and BARBARO (trainer Matz was Olympian, was heroic survivor in plane crash) all are in Derby, NBC TV will likely have so much human interest coverage of these stories that there will be very little time to analyze the race and the runners. As usual, the network will aim to please the casual racing fan with its coverage, disappointing and ignoring the hard core racing fan.
If BRO DEREK and LAWYER RON dominate their final preps, and 20 show up for the Derby, the favorite could be 9/2 or 5/1.
A great and important weekend of racing, maybe even enough to get me out of the living room and out to Ozone Park on Saturday.
Also this weekend, another spring classic, The Masters. Am looking for a very competitive tournament, as many top players (a distracted Tiger, an inconsistent Sergio, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh not at the top of their games so far in 06) are not playing at their best. IMO the Lefty, Mickelson (who seems to gain 5 lbs every winter) will bounce off a dominant front running win last week in a minor prep. The choice in this corner-- the steady S.African, Retief Goosen.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2006 11:06AM by richiebee.
