I thought we could start a discussion, even though it is only January.
I did not see anything remarkable yesterday. On the west coast, the highly-touted Coliseum did little in his second start. The winner, Gunmetal Gray, looked pretty good.
Similarly in Florida, highly-touted Code of Honor was rather disappointing as well.
Its’s early yet. We shall see.
Two that are not on the pundits lists yet, but that I think are worth watching: Moretti and Award Winner. Both impressive maiden winners, and bred for the task. Award Winner’s dam already has a Derby horse to her credit (Oscar Nominated), and Moretti is a half to Battle of Midway.
Cairo Cat is off the Derby trail for an undisclosed reason. He’s been sent to Dr. Bramlage for evaluation.
Impressive first time starter winner, Hidden Scroll:
Its a long way to winning the Derby, never mind the Triple Crown, but as we know its been done before…
One month later, your opinion still holds. I was disappointed in Maximus Mischief (love the name!!!) and Mihos (who looks like AP imho). Muddy year, muddy picture.
However, check out Mucho Gusto in the Robert Lewis at Santa Anita. Broke well, rated back, nice move in the stretch.
In a 5 horse field where one broke down. Baffert pretty much said that he is a second stringer in the PR article.
In the Robert Lewis, the track was sloppy so I’d not consider it a key indication of future 3yo performance.
Kid Cantina, who broke down, was the longest odds on the board. He might have been a factor but not likely based on his performance prior to breaking down.
I’m still in a wait and see for at least another month…
Not getting excited about anybody yet.
I have, however, added one to my “not rooting for” list. Harvey Wallbanger, purely due to the name. Yes, I know it’s a drink. I still think it has zero regalness or nobility or power in a positive sense (drinks have no positive power IMHO; seen too much of their ill effects in a few extended family members). For horse names, I want some regalness and nobility and power in a positive sense. You’re free to disagree with me, and I do know it’s not the horse’s fault what his name is. Still, I just can’t see that name up there alongside War Admiral and such. I was rooting against Big Brown at the Belmont for precisely the same reason.
Silly, perhaps, but lots of folks have just as wacky reasons for liking or disliking a particular horse, like color or being reminded of a horse they had 20 years ago by that one’s blaze. I know of several who root against trainers, and that’s not the horse’s fault either. Myself, I need a good name. I’ll always remember the story of the long-time bettor who took a totally novice friend to the Kentucky Derby in 2002. This friend picked out War Emblem and Proud Citizen as a “patriotic” post-911 exacta and felt that they would win because the country would of course have a “patriotic” exacta in this first post-911 Derby. Experienced bettor friend did his best to talk his buddy off that exacta and explained all the rational, logical, Daily Racing Form approved reasons why neither of those was likely to finish in the first two. Buddy persisted in betting his patriotic exacta - and headed to the IRS line afterwards. Experienced handicapper totally flopped on that race.
I totally agree on all points. Of course the horse can’t be blamed for his name, but I too can’t see Harvey Wallbanger up there with the Triple Crown winners.
Uncle Mo’s not much of a name.
Nor is Seattle Slew.
Super Saver??
I’ll Have Another or Mind Your Biscuits?
Intriguing names abound 
But did I root for Mind Your Biscuits? No.
And definitely not for Gas Station Sushi. Ugh.
I know wacky and tacky names exist. I just don’t like them.
I actually kinda liked Mind Your Biscuits, in part, due to his name
Did he set the world on fire, no. Did he perform well on the track, I think so. Will be interesting to see how he performs at stud (and if we here in the US will hear much about his get).
Watched all those races Sat. FoxSp2 is showing multiple selected races every Sat, probably because there’s some multi race and track exotic betting. But it’s a nice chance to see a lot of racing on a reasonably available cable channel instead of just a few select races if and when a basketball game doesn’t run longer then it’s slot. And no nonsense coverage, lots of races very little dead air. Fact can’t remember all the details of all the races. Lots of gate issues, some inexperience others who knows…
HW likes coming from waaaay back and looks like a Shetland Pony. Lots of heart but he’s taking a stride and a half for every stride the rest take. with any speed at all upfront, can’t see theClassics going his way. Nice horse but best pointed elsewhere.
Seem to recall one of the surprise winners at Gulfstream had shown little promise in the fall and stepped down out of a top barn and had the " ultimate equipment change" and some were not that surprised? Can’t recall the its name or the specifics. Nice big looker too, might have a future.
Likely not the best of the bunch but was intrigued by Tax in the Withers. 50k claimer at Keeneland out of a barn that felt he didn’t meet their expectations, current trainer got some info leading to putting it he claim. Tax ran a little green and had to earn his win but liked his performance better then the failed favorites.
Macho Man is simply untested and BB hinted he’ll take another route for him rather then face his stablemates. But you never know…
Still quite a few we haven’t seen yet to come. And a few we have seen that have not started their 2019 campaign yet. Be interesting.
One I’m interested in watching develop over the next few months is Omaha Beach. Now there’s a great name, and I admire his trainer. Mandella never seems to push a horse just to have an entry in the classics, so if he’s considering the Derby road for this one, that tells me he really thinks very highly of him.
OK. I’ll say it again. Saggy and Joppy.
Worst horse name ever: Big Brown. I don’t care if he’s named for Phil Lesh’s bass; Phil Lesh should have given his bass a better name, too. Everything about that Derby year stunk.
On the other hand, I think Harvey Wallbanger is a great name.
We have a Triple Crown winner up there with a misspelled name chosen in a Facebook contest. I think all bets are off now when it comes to names suitable for the exclusive list. :lol:
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