CTC ... compose if you could a short list of horses who have had success in the
Ky Derby by Yums Brands (Gr I) after competing in BOTH Lanes End AND Bluegrass.
And yes I realize that this is the first year both preps will be synthetic.

And then the question is, if you took Shanahan's offer to jump on the bandwagon,
is it accurate to say that you would expect HS to be less than wound all the
way tight for the BG? Will the BG be a conditioning run for a colt who might be
considered distance challenged on the sire side?

If Hard Spun runs a huge Derby off 2 synthetic prep races, will we be hearing
a faint bell signaling the end of American dirt racing, where the only tracks
which are running on dirt are the tracks which can't afford Poly? I think its a
great thing that the problems racing has had recently, partially created by
chemists masquerading as horse trainers and partially created by an expanded and
diluted gene pool, will all be solved by the magic carpet.

Every time I hear of the Whirlaway and its winner, Summer Doldrums, I reflect
on the big 1/2 favorite in that race, who ran fourth. That favorite has since
been retired to stud after knee problems. The owner is so convinced that his
new stallion will be well received, he has offered to pay owners of worthy
mares who are willing to breed their mares to this new stud.

My take: Summer Doh-ldrums beat a weak field in the Whirly. He got beaten by
TAPs 9th or 10th string in the Gotham. The Wood looks like it will have a short
field featuring Nobiz and Circular Quay, who got an absolutely flawless trip and
ride in the La Derby. Racing on the Inner Course was weak all the way through
this winter, and SD has plenty left to show me to convince me he is a legit
graded runner, not to mention a Derby prospect.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2007 07:19PM by richiebee.