Waiting to see if Game Winner does anything today.
With regards to the Kentucky Oaks… Bellafina walk away with the SA Oaks. Looked to barely break a sweat.
Wow, the winner of the Bluegrass stakes, Vekoma, has some wild motion in front.
The Wood was nearly a demolition derby with all that bumping. I thought Tacticus ran impressively, all things considered. Crossing my fingers and toes for a relatively uneventful Santa Anita Derby; I thought the discussion about the SA situation at the beginning of the telecast was handled well.
Everyone looks good after the SA Derby. Roadster wins.
ATM, I’m liking either Vekoma or Omaha Beach (who sounds like maybe a run in the Arkansas Derby is next on his plate, he’s in the danger zone with KD points).
Sounds like many of the Candy Rides have wonky front end movement but Vekoma sure got the job done today.
Quality Road is in a position to sire both the Kentucky Oaks winner (Bellafina) and the Kentucky Derby winner (Roadster). Oaks more likely, but Derby is possible.
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The big picture still looks murky, but in a good way. These colts are really well-bred and good looking, and it’s shaped up to be a really nice, exciting crop of 3 yos. And even though he keeps getting beat, I love that Game Winner is still in the picture.
He may be getting beat but those weren’t bad seconds, he didn’t quit or hang and he’s been soooooo close. Roadster had the perfect, ground saving trip compared to GW getting caught 4 wide. Flip a coin on those two but I got a hint of some concern in something BB said about Roadsters breathing issues if he gets caught tight behind horses. Possibly an abundance of caution, possibly a real concern. After next weeks Ark. Derby and seeing who MS chooses to ride in May if he is in a position to choose, be clearer.
I still like Tax. Not the fastest or fanciest or necessarily my pick to win the KD but, so far, he’s been right there and improving against top competition. Of course there’s questions as both his Withers win and Wood second were from the rail at Aqueduct but that’s the fun with lightly raced colts…pretty good for a 50k claim at Keeneland last fall by a journeyman trainer. Hopefully sets up to have a very good summer season if not a Classic paycheck or two.
Poor Double Jeopardy, he got blindsided, wrong place, wrong time don’t remember seeing a horse DQed like that for turning left at the break and wiping out half the field right out of the gate. Took my breath away, thought at least two of those were going down, miracle there. Does a competitor need to file a protest on something like that or can the stewards initiate it? If anybody has a link to that start, love to see it.
The stewards always review the replay from multiple angles before making it official and can file an inquiry if anything looks suspect.
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I’m looking forward to seeing Galilean run this weekend in the Arkansas Derby. Love the Uncle Mos, and he’s been quietly consistent to date, never having finished off the board, and never running in anything other than stakes company (including his debut at Los Al). Interested to see how he does in this spot, and moving forward.
Can’t wait for Saturday! My one annual trip to the live races, thanks to not being really close to any track. Hot Springs is still a LONG day by the time I drive back.
I’m looking forward to seeing Omaha Beach, and I also think Galilean has room for improvement. For some reason, Improbable has just never really grabbed me. I like Game Winner much better. I wouldn’t count Game Winner out yet for winning the Derby just because he has lost his last two.
Vekoma makes me nervous just watching that stride. Tacitus looked good and improving at the right time, and I also think that By Your Standards wasn’t a fluke in the Louisiana Derby.
Also in other divisions, looking forward on Saturday to seeing Whitmore, who always gives it his best shot, in the Count Fleet, and I hope Sonneteer will come for the Oaklawn Handicap. He doesn’t always give it his best shot, but I still like him in spite of his inconsistency. Gorgeous horse.
Omaha Beach takes the Arkansas Derby over Improbable
OB has been on my watch list for awhile. Might just be my Derby pick 
wonder which horse Big Money Mike will pick to ride.
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I liked Omaha Beach’s trip today. I liked how he was moving through the slop heading into the far turn.
So, I’m still on the Omaha Beach bus and also Vekoma but that might be an outside favorite.
The field will be filled, for sure, with quality
LOL about to announce Omaha Beach is a long lost relative…
Sitting here this morning listening to Dan Fogelberg’s ‘Run for the Roses’ which has always been a favorite of mine.
“It’s the chance of a lifetime in a lifetime of chance”.
Wonder who will win the Derby this year
I absolutely LOVE that song! Always makes me emotional
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Right now I’m thinking Omaha Beach for the win, especially if it’s a sloppy track. I like Roadster as well, with his fast closing kick if the pace is fast on Derby day I could see him getting it.
whoever does win this year it’s definitely gonna be a interesting Derby full of talent!
Wonder who Mike Smith will be on for the Derby assuming he will be the one making the choice without other conditions attached.
I bet he’ll stick with Omaha Beach.
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Nice race yesterday, though awful weather. Omaha Beach in the paddock looked like a big, strong fellow who is blooming at the right time. I don’t think the result was just because he liked mud (although if it’s sloppy on Derby Day, he’s definitely my top choice). He had that “look” to him of being in prime condition and feeling just on top of the world.
Improbable was impressive physically in the paddock in terms of his musculature but also seemed a bit edgy even before they got out on the track. He was jumping around some as they were tacking him up, and he delayed the start. Didn’t like the blinkers? He didn’t look to me in the paddock like a horse who had that bloom and whose condition was improving, which Omaha Beach did. In the race, he had every opportunity to pass, had the whole stretch to do it, and still couldn’t catch Omaha Beach.
Omaha Beach, Tacitus, Game Winner. Those at this point are my three picks.
