We’re getting close to the Derby (4+ weeks away).
Who’s bandwagon are you on? Bolt d’Oro? Justify? Audible? Good Magic? Mendelssohn?
McKenzie officially out of the Derby; sounds like BB is pointing him to a summer campaign and will skip all the TC races.
I’m leaning toward either Justify or Mendelssohn at the moment. 
Later than usual knowing who’s who, but last weekend was an eye opener.
Mendelssohn looks unstoppable unless the trip gets to him somehow. But he seemed to do fine coming/going from the Breeder’s Cup.
Was sorry to see McKenzie out. He looked so gutsy.
The Santa Anita Derby should tell us a lot. For example, is Justify the real thing? Even if he does well in the SA Derby, though, I wonder how he will handle the Kentucky Derby with so few starts–the 20 or so horse field, calvary charge to the first turn…
Menldelssohn looked amazing in Dubai, and he certainly has the breeding for the Triple Crown races.
What I’m liking this year is it seemed coming into 2018 the Derby favorites were kinda fuzzy over previous years. Seems like more good possibilities keep showing up instead of the list of favorites dropping like flies leading up to the race. I know still a month to go but like the current mix.
I agree that this weekend’s SA Derby will be interesting. The Blue Grass might be interesting depending on how much snow Keeneland/Lexington get Friday night into Saturday :eek:
I’m on the Justify bandwagon. But…we’ll find out on Saturday if he’s even going to get into the Derby.
Mendelssohn is my horse if they get him to the states sooner rather than later. But I really like Runaway Ghost and I hope he shows up on the 1st Saturday in May. What a Cinderella story that would be; neat horse
I was hoping that Strike Power would be good enough, as I took care of him as a yearling, but it doesn’t look like he is gong to make it.
Medelssohn really looks like the best of the bunch right now. It will take a really special horse to take the Dubai route to the KY Derby Winner’s Circle, but he could be the one to do it.
Audible looked superb winning the FL Derby, doesn’t look like distance will be a problem for him.
A lot is yet to be decided with the rest of the horses, many will really have to step up in their last prep race to even look like a contender against the top few.
The next two weeks will be telling. I’m reserving judgement on many of them until these upcoming races pass.
It’s hard to find a reason not to get behind Mendelssohn. The international factor doesn’t even seem to be a handicap for him, as he has already proven he can handle both jet-setting and US racing.
Audible’s performance was encouraging. I think discounting him is a mistake. But I need to see more from everyone else before truly investing in him.
I’m with Tex. I seem to say that often.
I like Audible & Mendelsshon, but there’s still time for another to catch my interest LOL
It sure seems like the past couple years there hasn’t been a single “superstar” but instead has had a handful of really nice horses going to the gate.
What I’m hoping for this year, is for more of these colts to show longevity & make it past the summer races without injury or having to be retired.
Which has been the trend lately (the setbacks)
i tend to wait for post positions to make a call. With a field that big; it’s really anyone’s game on race day
Today should be interesting for Good Magic in Lex at the Toyota Blue Grass. Lex has been having snow showers overnight and forecast through about 1. Main track is currently listed as muddy, still on the turf.
I think some questions will be answered and more asked after today’s slate of the Blue Grass and SA Derby.
After today’s KD points races (Wood, Blue Grass, SA Derby) I’m liking Justify. Looked relaxed down the backstretch and when Mike Smith asked him to moving starting around the far turn he moved up easy with minimal urging from Mike.
I mean, Good Magic looked good but didn’t,IMO, set the track on fire in the Blue Grass. Flamaway looked ok coming in second to Good Magic. Sporting Chance was scary in his 3rd place (later to be DQd) finish after first ducking in and then a huge duck out in the stretch right in front of Free Drop Billy. Thought both jocks might end up in the dirt :eek:
Vino Rosso looking good in the win over Enticed but still didn’t make my toes curl
Just a little sigh for (from a distance, never been there personally, might’ve been a horrid track for all I really know) - Hialeah and the results of the Flamingo being part of the lead up to the Derby.
Sorry for the OT, carry on.
Justify looked good, but had it all his own way on the front. Wonder what will happen in the derby if there is more speed to run with him. Good Magic looked great.
Someone wrote in comments on BH that Bolt d’Oro grabbed a quarter. Anyone else see this?
I’m sticking with Justify.
But the Derby is such a crap shoot. It matters less who’s the best horse than who gets the best trip.
I’d agree with LaurieB. With the number of horses in the gate, depends on the draw and the trip.
But still fun to pick favorites. I have my few favorites now but that could easily change depending on where they end up in the gate.
Less than 4 weeks and counting
Footing is going to be a huge question in picking a Derby horse at this point. Usually when we have this kind of a cold, wet spring this late into April. It stays cold and wet into May. And boy is it wet and really deeply muddy at everybody’s barns around here. As it has been for weeks with no break. Nothing will make me happier then to be wrong here and see 75 and sunny. But…
IKR - he could get knocked sideways coming out of the gate and it’s all over.
I’d love to see Runaway Ghost do well. I’m looking forward to watching Blamed in the Oaks.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
