Kentucky Derby 2015

[ravenclaw]

[QUOTE=snaffle1987;8129722]
We’ve never really seen American Pharoah asked to run. Every race he just pricks his ears and lopes to the finish line. If he breaks well I think we are in for a real treat. He has a lot of stamina[/QUOTE]

I’m trying not to fall in love with him too much yet, but I think he is better than some of the overhyped horses in the past. He was very good as a 2 year old too and both of his races this year were really impressive. I heard that his time in the Arkansas Derby was the fastest time in over 10 years and the jockey never hit him AND he was geared down before the wire.

I just hope he breaks well and gets a good trip in the Derby so he’ll be able to run his race.

[ravenclaw]

[QUOTE=Rackonteur;8129034]
I just wonder what racing people are saying these days about Big Brown as a sire, and particularly as the sire of Dortmund. Obviously I don’t keep up with racing the way some people here do. I’m not trying to start a train wreck, I’m just basically wondering what the current opinions of Big Brown are. After all, it’s been seven whole years! :D[/QUOTE]

If Dortmund does well in the Derby, would Big Brown go back to a big farm in Kentucky? I don’t know how this works…if it’s just a matter of him being bought back or if there is more involved (because of syndication, etc.).

[Bolder_Dash]

While many will be placing wagers on American Pharoah and Mubtaahij, et.al., I find myself digressing and putting my money on The Big Red Horse. I know the field cannot beat him! In 1973 he did the Derby in a buck 59 and 2/5s. Secretariat will still be my Champion when this race is over!

https://youtu.be/74Usj3K4oZ0

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=Kim;8130034]
<<Dortmund may be the ugliest Thoroughbred I’ve seen in a long, long, time>>

Really?? I think he’s lovely, and very well put together.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.[/QUOTE]

I HATE his head. Hideously pig-eyed. He looks like “Casey” from one of the more dubious 1980s paperback edition covers of “The Black Stallion’s Courage.” If he runs his race, though, doesn’t matter how ugly he is. (And he has THE most hideous baby pictures of the “Derby Babies.” Looked like parts of a separate horse.) As long as he isn’t one of those who’s huge by May of this three-year-old year and made of glass, and didn’t inherit his daddy’s crap feet…

AP looks good on video. But then you look at all the numbers and his races turn out to not be as impressive as they look visually. Dortmund OTOH doesn’t make it look as easy, but he’s actually doing a lot more. And then there’s Carpe Diem…Mubtaahji I like but there’s that long flight over. (I discount the “UAE Derby winners can’t perform in the Derby” because that’s why they ripped out the poly and put in dirt over there.)

[findeight]

Haven’t really been following the prep races this year and been catching up here. It’s hard with no regular telecasts of the “derby trail” on the same, easily available channel plus some colts staying abroad. And it’s true most of them have not met the others.

Did see the Wood, Frosted did get my attention and Mumbaathj (or whatever his name is) has a stunning resume and is intriguing even with the ship over. Might actually get up to the racino and do a little simulcast action with some exactas this year, haven’t cared enough to do that the last few years even being more familiar with the field. We’ll see.

I want to see who Shammy goes with Saturday morning too.

[Kim]

<<I HATE his head. Hideously pig-eyed. He looks like “Casey” from one of the more dubious 1980s paperback edition covers of “The Black Stallion’s Courage.” (And he has THE most hideous baby pictures of the “Derby Babies.” Looked like parts of a separate horse.)>>

Wow. How do you really feel? LOL

I think he’s quite stunning.

[ravenclaw]

I don’t think Dortmund is especially handsome, but I don’t think he’s ugly either.

I do like American Pharoah’s short tail and pricked ears.

[SportArab]

I think it’s gonna be one heck of a horse race.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=Kim;8130438]
<<I HATE his head. Hideously pig-eyed. He looks like “Casey” from one of the more dubious 1980s paperback edition covers of “The Black Stallion’s Courage.” (And he has THE most hideous baby pictures of the “Derby Babies.” Looked like parts of a separate horse.)>>

Wow. How do you really feel? LOL

I think he’s quite stunning.[/QUOTE]

That’s nice. I don’t. But I don’t bother candy-coating opinions because someone might disagree. I don’t like unrefined and he’s quite unrefined (also too big for my peace of mind at his age. Big fast maturing TBs have a bad track record for long-term soundness.) But again, ugly is as ugly does if he wins and his feet hold up, and I like his chances better than AP. And is AP now breaking from 17 carrying #18? Because Stanford’s out, Frammento’s in.

[Kim]

Sorry, I do not think any horse is ugly and I find such comments about a horse quite mean-spirited. But carry on!

And we all know looks do not win races. If they did, Rock Hard Ten would have won everything.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=danceronice;8130553]
That’s nice. I don’t. But I don’t bother candy-coating opinions because someone might disagree. I don’t like unrefined and he’s quite unrefined (also too big for my peace of mind at his age. Big fast maturing TBs have a bad track record for long-term soundness.) But again, ugly is as ugly does if he wins and his feet hold up, and I like his chances better than AP. And is AP now breaking from 17 carrying #18? Because Stanford’s out, Frammento’s in.[/QUOTE]

That’s funny, as I think my mother owns the ugliest chestnut TB known to man. (DON’T let this flattering picture fool you). he’s just so plain and ugly… I am very persnickety about expressions but I thought Dortmunt was very handsome and had a fairly intelligent look. Not a fan of pig-eyes though.

[vineyridge]

I kind of like Materiality. He’s not very experienced, but he could be a good one.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=beowulf;8130572]
That’s funny, as I think my mother owns the ugliest chestnut TB known to man. (DON’T let this flattering picture fool you). he’s just so plain and ugly… I am very persnickety about expressions but I thought Dortmunt was very handsome and had a fairly intelligent look. Not a fan of pig-eyes though.[/QUOTE]

Dortmund looks like a thinker. That’s either good or gonna bite him in the butt. Saw on FB that they’re going to saddle him in the walking path, not in the paddock, to try and minimize any freakouts over the crowd and the noise.

[Shammy_Davis]

[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8128102]
Shammy Davis, What criteria and numbers do you use to come up with your preferences? They are very nearly the opposite of what all the odds makers are saying.

Have you posted them on Thoroughbred Champions? I would love to read the reactions from the guys over there. :)[/QUOTE]

I don’t give out my secrets but pretty sure one of my picks wins the derby. Stanford is out. On the road tonight but am keeping up with the handicapping. Lots are saying a sleeper wins. Zzzzzzzz.

[Calico]

Wheeling Bolo, Upstart, Firing Line, Keen Ice, Frosted (Frosted and Bolo exacta) Subject to change

[Calico]

Although a dubious candidate, interestingly, Ocho’s 3rd dam is Personal Ensign.

[vanessajean]

I still really like Danzig Moon. His pedigree is stacked with distance runners. If he gets a good trip I think it could be him.

[findeight]

Horse won a race yesterday, didn’t really catch all of it it. Name is Japan out of Bill Motts barn, he beat Keen Ice and several others in the Derby field recently, talking about the Preakness as a possibility for him. Just food for thought trying to figure out who to use or not on your exactas.

[SportArab]

I think I’ll be waiting till I see the post parade to place any bets. That’s usually what I do anyway, but seems more important in this one.

[snaffle1987]

When I look at Dortmund I see a striking resemblance to Phar Lap.