Rob,

I have to disagree with the observation of a perfect trip. The look on TAP's face when the 2 hole was picked for him said it all!

If you recall pre derby posts Silver Charm and I were both very high on this colt coming into the derby off a pair and was patiently handled with the first Saturday in May the obvious objective. All out the window and I completely tossed him with the exception of the 4th spot on some super tickets.

Carpe Diem has had a history of being a bit high strung in the paddock and not very patient in the gate. He had a very long time in the starting gate and all JV could do was to send him against horses with much more natural speed than he.

IMHO he was forced to run too fast early and taken way out of his comfort zone while in the middle of a herd. I look at his derby at not much more than a 6f work.

What is interesting is TGJB possibly adding 2 points to his Tampa Derby; he now enters the derby off an 0-2 as opposed to a pair? Either way the derby was his X for sure. This one has a perfect style for big sandy and can click off 12 quarters all day.

I think he is a major player here and very capable of running a negative number. AP can pair his Preakness and get beat in this race for sure with some fast fresh horses certainly capable of landing below the Brown line. ( Mendoza just didn't seem to fit in there)

Good luck,

Frank D.