Looking forward to this race.
And Greatest Honour is out, according to someone close to Shug McGaughey. Needs 60 days off.
Sitting here humming… Another one bites the dust by Queen.
Too bad. I thought he was more of a Belmont horse than a Derby horse, though.
According to Bloodhorse, nothing dramatic, but needs time off. Good that they are doing right by the horse.
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Just overhead on TVG…
McPeek just announced Simply Ravishing has been retired. Some issue that would have kept her from racing for an extended period (missing the actual announcement).
Today was a day for upsets in the KD points races.
Arkansas Derby G1 (100 points to the winner) was taken by Super Stock. Caddo River (40 points) was second and Concert Tour, the favorite (20 points) was third.
Caddo River and Concert Tour got into a bit of a speed duel while Super Stock laid off the pace. I thought Concert Tour had the race won until Super Stock came up the middle with a nice win. Oaklawn’s track was in nice shape today.
King Fury took the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland going off at odds of 18-1. The Lexington was worth only 20 points to the winner so, IMO, unlikely that King Fury will be in the KD gate. But, time will tell.
Have you considered sending the mare back to Twirling Candy? Honest question- no shade. Just wondering how you evaluate these things as a successful breeder.
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Not speaking for LaurieBs breeding decisions but Twirling Candys stud fee in 2017 when he had only 3 crops or so on the ground (with most too young to race), was not 40k as it is in 2021 with 7 crops on record.
Makes the choice less obvious.
Defections of Panadol and probably Rombauer move Dream Shake up the list to Derby probable status. Any word on if he is being considered for the Derby?
I was wondering the same thing. I don’t know how much of a connection LaurieB has with the current owners. Last I heard, Dream Shake was undecided.
I love the last minute ‘scramble’ to see who will be in the gate on that first Saturday in May 
Concert Tour is bypassing the KD and aiming for the Preakness.
The non-injury related defections continue…
Nice blurb about LaurieB’s breeding program’s Dream Shake…
Prat also worked Dream Shake, a son of Twirling Candy, for trainer Peter Eurton and Exline-Border Racing, SAF Racing, and Richard Hausman. Dream Shake’s time was the fastest of 72 at the distance, the average time of which was 1:01 3/5.
“It was a pretty comfortable work,” Eurton said. “He was well within himself. I’m very pleased.”
Hopefully, he gets to wear the roses!
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Line up for the Kentucky Oaks.
I’ll be rooting for Travel Column & Clairiere, while hoping they all come through the race safe & sound.
Who do you like?
If it were a beauty contest, I would pick Travel Column. And maybe on talent too.
She is gorgeous, and looks like a chip (of ice) off the block.
Post positions for the KD
I’m for Hot Rod Charlie for no other reason than I love his name. Seems like a lot of long odds horses, but i dont really pay that much attention as I’m not a betting person.
I think Hot Rod Charlie is going to get it done. Great PP and he is poised for a big run. I think he looks great.
I am very surprised no one is talking about the Baffert horse; Medina Spirit. Maybe because of his recent drug issues. But Medina Spirit has largely been ignored by the press coming into the race despite hitting 1st or 2nd in all of his starts (graded stakes). I
Also amazing to see Wesley Ward in the Derby this year. Despite all his success; this is his first Derby! He has PP#2 with Like the King who won the Grade III Jeff Ruby Stakes and was 2nd in the John Battaglia Memorial
I’m not understanding the infatuation with Essential Quality. He’s a good horse with great resume thus far but his last effort was a lot of luck. If he hits major traffic in his PP coming out of the gate and he isn’t near the front I don’t see him coming down thr stretch in First.
I think the Derby is wide open. There are a handful of horses that I really like coming into this race and I am having a very hard time nailing down by pick. I really like Known Agenda but the PP pretty much killed his chances.
Hot Rod Charlie
Midnight Bourbon
King Fury
Mandaloun
KeepMeInMind
My Long Shot picks:
Helium (I love his name)
Super Stock
Soup and Sandwich if he can keep his rank mindset in check
I have a lot of narrowing down to do
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Wouldn’t say anybody is “infatuated” with EQ. Just seems he’s earned being the favorite with his winning the BC Juvenile with a trip that was anything but perfect and gritty win in the Blue Grass plus 2.2 million in earnings means he’s a logical choice. I happen to like the horse as well, appearance, attitude and movement wise. Trainers hot right now and jockey is aggressive. Why not use him on top? We all know KD Favs often fall short on race day so its nothing personal or a sweeping endorsement. Think 2-1 might be a bit ambitious if he actually goes off at those odds and, despite him being my personal choice, might not put any money on him except coupled with something 8-1 or better in an exacta,
Medina Spirit isnt really ignored, but lacks a win in top company, hopefully his surgery will help. Certainly use him in an exacta at least. Nice horse, attractive odds.
Usually drive to my local racino to bet so narrow choices down to 3 or maybe, 4. Still undecided on longshot picks
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