2017 Triple Crown

[Where_sMyWhite]

@Laurierace

Mastery easy winner in San Felipe but suffers a condylar fracture in his left front. Surgery on Monday, I am guessing the retirement announcement is shortcoming.

Maybe a bit premature assuming retirement? Sure, a possibility but what I’ve heard/read so far doesn’t imply it’s a done deal.

Mike Smith said he felt something wrong about 10 jumps after the wire and pulled Mastery up. Sounded like he was a bit off right after Mike got off but by the time he walked on to the ambulance, he looked pretty even weight bearing on all 4.

TVG report said surgery Monday, Bloodhorse article said surgery “in a few days”.

I hope he comes out of surgery successfully and does return to racing.

[mommy_peanut]

Tapwrit wins the Tampa Bay Derby: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220391/tapwrit-shows-his-class-in-tampa-bay-derby

[Laurierace]

@Where'sMyWhite

Maybe a bit premature assuming retirement? Sure, a possibility but what I’ve heard/read so far doesn’t imply it’s a done deal.

Mike Smith said he felt something wrong about 10 jumps after the wire and pulled Mastery up. Sounded like he was a bit off right after Mike got off but by the time he walked on to the ambulance, he looked pretty even weight bearing on all 4.

TVG report said surgery Monday, Bloodhorse article said surgery “in a few days”.

I hope he comes out of surgery successfully and does return to racing.

Of course it is premature, just an educated guess. I too hope he recovers and goes on to race successfully. With a G1 under his belt already they are going to err on the side of caution now that their entire plan is up in smoke.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Laurie, I agree. I would really like to see him race again and so afraid that even after successful surgery they’ll retire him.

Hard seeing really good horses retire after their 2 year old year or start of their 3 year old year just so they don’t risk another injury

Unlike some of the old warriors I’ve seen in the last few days that are still racing and winning (with the right conditions) and they’re 7+ years old

[Laurierace]

@Where'sMyWhite

Laurie, I agree. I would really like to see him race again and so afraid that even after successful surgery they’ll retire him.

Hard seeing really good horses retire after their 2 year old year or start of their 3 year old year just so they don’t risk another injury

Unlike some of the old warriors I’ve seen in the last few days that are still racing and winning (with the right conditions) and they’re 7+ years old

Those are almost always geldings without platinum testicles awaiting a huge payoff in the shed.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Platinum testicles… I like that :lol: (and yeah, geldings for sure; if they’re still racing and winning ).

Glad I don’t have to make those what sometimes must be hard decisions… retire and no risk vs keep running and hope they keep winning and suffer no catastrophic injuries.

[Shammy_Davis]

Too bad about Mastery. As a follow up to the John White’s “confusion” article, Lenny Shulman wrote this before yesterday’s preps.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/…y-shulman.aspx

Lenny thinks the fillies need to be added back into the equation. Too late now for that, plus I don’t think filly owners generally have the stomach any more to run against the colts this early.

Tapwrit’s handling of the TB dirt speaks well of him. The San Felipe pretty much turned out as scripted with Gormley placing fourth.

As of now, I agree with Shuman. If things remain confusing on derby day, I’m looking for the colt Calvin Borel rides.:lol:

Next the Rebel, Spiral, and FL Derby. All normally foretelling prep races. Glimmerglass, what’s your current confusion or confidence level at this point?

[Glimmerglass]

@Shammy Davis

Next the Rebel, Spiral, and FL Derby. All normally foretelling prep races. Glimmerglass, what’s your current confusion or confidence level at this point?

If I could even begin to see a clear picture with this year’s candidates then I should take that talent and apply it making really big money Honestly I keep seeing wave after wave of propped up colts who seemingly can’t string two powerful victories in a row. Gormley, for example, was a top 10 candidate but had no excuses in his solid defeat just like Irish War Cry.

The problem - and everyone knows this - is the scant number of races left and/or races these horses will be entered in before the Derby. Unlike the semi-recent days of Hard Spun running we just have a couple races to gauge sustained skill and development.

Maybe Classic Empire & McCracken with slight setbacks will come back stronger than ever. I’m not giving up on Irish War Cry however Motion & de Tomaso aren’t hellbent on making the Derby. Instead they are focused on the Haskel Invitational. So if he’s not running like a clock I doubt he’ll run at Churchill.

The latest Haskin’s Derby Dozen (March 14th)

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/kentucky-derby-dozen/archive/2017/03/14/derby-dozen-march-14-2017-presented-by-shadwell-farm.aspx

For his top 3: Gunnevera is at the top of the list followed by McCraken and then Tampa Bay Derby winner (who also broke the stakes record) Tapwrit - I did like the solid and workman like effort of Tapwrit.

[Shammy_Davis]

@Glimmerglass

If I could even begin to see a clear picture with this year’s candidates then I should take that talent and apply it making really big money Honestly I keep seeing wave after wave of propped up colts who seemingly can’t string two powerful victories in a row. Gormley, for example, was a top 10 candidate but had no excuses in his solid defeat just like Irish War Cry.

The problem - and everyone knows this - is the scant number of races left and/or races these horses will be entered in before the Derby. Unlike the semi-recent days of Hard Spun running we just have a couple races to gauge sustained skill and development.

Maybe Classic Empire & McCracken with slight setbacks will come back stronger than ever. I’m not giving up on Irish War Cry however Motion & de Tomaso aren’t hellbent on making the Derby. Instead they are focused on the Haskel Invitational. So if he’s not running like a clock I doubt he’ll run at Churchill.

The latest Haskin’s Derby Dozen (March 14th)

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/kentu…well-farm.aspx

For his top 3: Gunnevera is at the top of the list followed by McCraken and then Tampa Bay Derby winner (who also broke the stakes record) Tapwrit - I did like the solid and workman like effort of Tapwrit.

Not much discussion about One Liner. Had 102 Beyer in the Southwest. Maybe skepticism whether this colt makes any additional distance. We will know if he is entered in FL Derby.

Your suggestion that IWC maybe pointed to the Haskell is very interesting. I had noted that a couple of handicapping blogs dropped him from conversation as I was thinking it was because of his FOY performance. Motion is a thoughtful focused trainer whose UK roots do well for him.

The Rebel looks very competitive and a great many colts have stepped up from this race. American Pharaoh and Smarty Jones come to mind. Some questions might be answered here.

[Shammy_Davis]

A number of handicappers are saying they are intrigued by the longshot Uncontested in this deep very competitive Rebel Stakes field.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/unlocking-winners-handicapping/archive/2017/03/16/handicapping-a-deep-field-in-the-rebel-stakes.aspx

Don’t see how any of them are earning a living with this year’s derby crop.

[Shammy_Davis]

Whoa Nellie! Gotham runner-up gets some attention.

https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/why-runner-cloud-computing-looks-horse-follow/

[Where_sMyWhite]

Let’s see… another “favorite” had difficulties today… American Anthem in the Rebel. Nice win by a lightly raced, first time two-turn horse, Malagacy.

I have no “favorite” anymore. Maybe on will pop up in another month or so, but geeze… the topsy turvy continues…

[Shammy_Davis]

@Where'sMyWhite

Let’s see… another “favorite” had difficulties today… American Anthem in the Rebel. Nice win by a lightly raced, first time two-turn horse, Malagacy.

I have no “favorite” anymore. Maybe on will pop up in another month or so, but geeze… the topsy turvy continues…

Horse racing is having its own March Madness. Next the Spiral Stakes on synthetic at Turfway. En Hanse is a possible choice. Appears to be no enthusiasm about any of the prep contenders as handicappers scratch their heads. Can’t wait to see what Haskin’s dozen looks like on April Fools.

http://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2017_Spiral_Stakes#

[Where_sMyWhite]

Shammy, March Madness is right! :lol:

Seems like this year being a “favorite” is the kiss of death, not from injury but from running up to past performance.

I was bummed about Mastery as he’ll now go into the ‘we’ll never know’ category when it comes to the Derby. I knew he sure looked good in his last win and the first 9 strides after the the wire…

[Shammy_Davis]

@Where'sMyWhite

Shammy, March Madness is right! :lol:

Seems like this year being a “favorite” is the kiss of death, not from injury but from running up to past performance.

I was bummed about Mastery as he’ll now go into the ‘we’ll never know’ category when it comes to the Derby. I knew he sure looked good in his last win and the first 9 strides after the the wire…

Don’t think any questions will be answered for you on the next two Saturdays. The Spiral is run on synthetic and the FL Derby is being run on April Fools. :lol: A colt named Practical Joke maybe entered in the FL Derby. :eek: Keep your money in your wallet. It has been that kind of year. Anything is possible. April Fools!

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/gunnevera-drills-for-florida-derby/
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[Where_sMyWhite]

Shammy, as it is every year but IMO even more so this year… we’ll get an answer on the first Saturday in May and I’m not sure as they’re loading into the gate that even then I’ll have a personal favorite

I may watch a fair amount of TVG living in a semi-“destitute” racing location (no, haven’t been to Turf Paradise yet) but I intentionally don’t even have an account with TVG or any other OTB service I have plenty of other ways to throw money away on. I just have fun betting in my head.

[dressagetraks]

Classic Empire refused to work again. I’m not sure what’s up with this guy, physical or mental, but too many questions on him this year for me.

My pick so far would have been Mastery. Sigh.

[Where_sMyWhite]

DT, I’m with you… I’d be leaning toward Mastery but that’s out. Saw that comment that CE refused to work but Casse didn’t sound concerned but personally I’m not buying that. Maybe the pick would be the current ineligible Unique Bella

[Where_sMyWhite]

@Laurierace

Of course it is premature, just an educated guess. I too hope he recovers and goes on to race successfully. With a G1 under his belt already they are going to err on the side of caution now that their entire plan is up in smoke.

Now we know where… Claiborne. Sounds like verdict will be 90 days post surgery. If he’s not 100%, he’ll retire.

[Shammy_Davis]

Looks to me like the enthusiasm level for this year’s derby crop, on a scale of 1 to10, is a 3. Even the OP is dead silent. One has a better chance of reading about Animal Kingdom’s Spiral win than about any colt in this year’s race. At least BH was up to the task.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220571/kittens-cat-poised-for-spiral-stakes

Another Ramsey kitten is entered as morning line favorite. This stable has nine lives. Probably could make a side business marketing healthy cat food and treats

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On the Oaks side of the horse, everyone has made up their minds.

Maybe too much going on with the earlier PWC and now DWC competing for attention with preps and the 1st Saturday in May to catch the imagination of horse fans.

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