It’s that time of the 3 year old racing year. I guess it is better for the connections of a derby bound horse to know now, than to have it scratched a day or two before the race. Lot’s of expense to get a horse into the Triple Crown races.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90506/khozan-injured-off-kentucky-derby-trail
What about Texas Red? When I watched the San Felipe Stakes, they said Kent Desormeaux is committed to Prospect Park through the Triple Crown races, so I thought that meant Texas Red is out. But then I saw an article that said Texas Red is back in training and being pointed to the Santa Anita Derby or the Arkansas Derby.
[QUOTE=ravenclaw;8048909]
What about Texas Red? When I watched the San Felipe Stakes, they said Kent Desormeaux is committed to Prospect Park through the Triple Crown races, so I thought that meant Texas Red is out. But then I saw an article that said Texas Red is back in training and being pointed to the Santa Anita Derby or the Arkansas Derby.[/QUOTE]
Complete details about the jockey dilemma haven’t come out yet, but TR is supposedly fine, physically. The Desormeaux news brought a question to mind. In some racing jurisdictions, don’t they require a jockey who’s related to a trainer to ride that trainer’s horse in a race (if they planned to ride that race)? I know Calvin Borel always rides his brother’s horses, and Jon Court always rides his FIL’s horses.
I have never heard of such a rule. I guess I could understand the reason behind it, but it seems wierd.
I just cannot imagine Kent not riding his brother’s horse (to say nothing of it being the 2 year old champ, while PP is an up and comer, but not a big star).
Anyone know if both are pointing toward the Santa Anita Derby?
And, Take Charge Brandi out of Rebel and Oaks/Derby with a chip in her knee.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90613/take-charge-brandi-out-of-rebel-with-chip
Oh no! Was SO looking forward to the Rebel. I’ll still watch, but the anticipation won’t be quite as exciting 
I will be interested in seeing how American Pharoah does even if Brandi isn’t there 
Thanks for these threads lately Shammy, reminds me of Glimmers informative and timely posts.
I know this sounds bad, but I’m kind of relieved TCB is out with a minor injury. I don’t know the horse in the barn, but from the outside looking in her ambitious campaign had been bothering me a little. I’d much rather see her in be competitive in races later in the year and possibly a four year old campaign than burn out chasing the Oaks or the Derby, not that what I want matters, I’m not footing the bills on her.
I’d love to see her in the Travers, but I don’t see Lukas doing that.
[QUOTE=findeight;8049408]
Thanks for these threads lately Shammy, reminds me of Glimmers informative and timely posts.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the kind words.
[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8048984]
And, Take Charge Brandi out of Rebel and Oaks/Derby with a chip in her knee.
That’s not terribly surprising considering how much she’s run lately 
I’ve heard Texas Red had a hoof abscess that was healing and he’ll be ready for the Santa Anita Derby. I had not heard of the jockey news
Here’s a link I saw yesterday!
http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/pedigree_power/Kentucky_Derby_2015_Injury_Missing_Report_March_123
Texas red arrived at SA this week, a week later than expected. Speculation this morning was that he might. Not be ready until the Arkansas derby.
Training to the Kentucky Derby is a difficult path even for the best connections. I’m sure that all of us agree that any trainer who has not experienced the journey at some point is less capable of getting a horse into the field on derby day.
Here’s a link that puts this into perspective.
http://horseracing.about.com/od/kentuckyderby/tp/aaderbytrainers.htm
It is notable that Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott, Ron McAnaly, John Shirreffs, etc are not even on the list. JMHO and feeble opinion that “trainers need to have been there (having a horse to train to the Kentucky Derby) to know how to get back there.”
Most of us, me included, don’t really understand all that it takes to get a colt to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. I spend a great deal of time with my nose in books and TB related articles and I recall only a very few books that touch on the mechanics and strategy that trainers use to develop top quality racehorses.
One of my favorities that speaks to this is John Hilsop’s “From Start To Finish” published by J A Allen in the UK. No doubt out of print, I do recommend it along with “Winning Trainers” by Ross Staaden. Getting inside the head of a top notch trainer is getting harder and harder to do these days because horses run more infrequently today. I do know that successful TC trainers, for the most part, are creatures of habit.
Most often, maturity of the colt or filly is at issue for TC journeys. Important as it maybe, we might want to consider that it is the maturity of the trainer that might be equally or even more important. An example: Todd Pletcher, Dallas Stewart, and Kieran Mclaughlin were products of D. Wayne Lukas.
I’m curious about the journey TEXAS RED is taking also. Personally, I think if your last prep is the Bluegrass Stakes, your horse is done.
Never really thought that Dale Romans trained “Danny Boy” was going to do anything on the dirt, but he is listed as breaking a leg on March 11. Full recovery is expected.
This looks like a good link to keep track of all the “missteps,” forgive the pun.
http://www.allhorseracing.ag/kentucky-derby/contenders/injury-report
Texas Red is off the Derby trail.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/90736/texas-red-off-the-kentucky-derby-trail
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8050355]
Most of us, me included, don’t really understand all that it takes to get a colt to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. I spend a great deal of time with my nose in books and TB related articles and I recall only a very few books that touch on the mechanics and strategy that trainers use to develop top quality racehorses.[/QUOTE]
I would venture a guess it is less about setting out from Day 1 to have a Derby Horse than it is just learning to work with the horse you have and see where he goes. Even when you know you never know.
Texas Red though I just vote 99 times out of a hundred you should write off the Juvenile winner as soon as the race is over. Right now it’s about 30-1 as far as the Derby goes.
[QUOTE=danceronice;8059866]
I would venture a guess it is less about setting out from Day 1 to have a Derby Horse than it is just learning to work with the horse you have and see where he goes. Even when you know you never know.
Texas Red though I just vote 99 times out of a hundred you should write off the Juvenile winner as soon as the race is over. Right now it’s about 30-1 as far as the Derby goes.[/QUOTE]
The late Charlie Whittingham probably wouldn’t agree with you. You may recall that prior to running his first maiden race, the great trainer told Willie Shoemaker that FERDINAND was their derby horse.
Great trainers, like Whittingham, have an eye for great horses and they know exactly where to take them. That’s what sets them apart from other trainers.
Can’t disagree with you about the odds on the juvenile champions though.
Far From Over is an out…non displaced fracture
Prospect Park off the trail.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/91177/prospect-park-off-kentucky-derby-trail
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