I am thinking the track is going to be very sloppy tomorrow
I am kind of shocked that the vets scratched Grande when all of his scans and Xrays were clean and his quarter crack is improving everyday and under control. Only thing I can think of was he reacting notably to hoof testers or something? He is clearly sound, right? If he was training the way he has all week.
But Render Judgement had visible blood coming out of his hoof while galloping on the track due to foot quality issues and they’ve allowed him to stay in the race as of right now.
4 Likes
Ya. That one had me scratching my head.
Only thing I can think of is that Grande was showing visible signs of being sore/off, while RJ may not be exhibiting any signs of lameness
the fact that they later asked for a PET scan on Grande leads me to believe they were watching something. Likely the same with Rodriguez but Baffert doesn’t tend to divulge that info like Repole does.
I still think it’s crazy that if the suspect things they still allow the horses to continue to breeze and train every morning on live broadcast with a ton of spectators . It’s like it would be ok for them to have a catastrophic issue then but it’s not ok during the race.
I still think Render Judgement will be a morning scratch. I can’t see them sending him out on a muddy track in a 20 horse field with a crack that’s so bad its bleeding.
1 Like
There should be 0 tolerance for any health issues.
Who as trainer, owner or vet wants to send off a horse to run that has ANY question pending, when it may mean horse breaks down running??? 
Seems like aiming and shooting and hope it doesn’t hit?
7 Likes
Looking at some of the derby runners previous starts,
American Promise, Neoequos, Coal Battle are the only horses in the field to have won on a sloppy/muddy track. Coal Battle is the only horse in the field to have done it more than once.
Very few of the horses in the field have ever seen a sloppy racetrack, the majority have only seen fast/firm tracks.
Could be interesting
well I agree, but how many horses in the races between today and tomorrow have patches on their feed holding issues together? It’s a problem.
That should not matter with your horse, your decision?
well that should fall into trainers and owners running horses with issues.
1 Like
Think I will stick to my 2 from SAs barn, Publisher (under Irad Ortiz) and Tiztastic (Rosario)at this point. Both jockeys have KD miles, Publisher’s daddy won it, Always like Tiz the Law and the Tapits in general and love the Winchells so going with that hoping that today is the day for Steve to finally win it.
Prefer not to interpret vet findings without seeing the actual vet reports or the issue and cannot believe KMP would send anything out if there was any risk to the horse even with enthusiastic first time Derby owners, will see how that evolves before pronouncing judgement, still 36 hours out so plenty of time.
Like Journalism based on his Santa Anita Derby and his trainer could certainly use some good fortune after his terrible fire experience but always wonder if the small fields and skimpy crowds typical of the west coast tracks really prepare them for 20 horse fields in front of 200k fans. Great horse can overcome anything but even very good horses may struggle.
Citizen Bull, he is spectacular and has big race experience but not sure he is as good as some of the others and his Santa Anita Derby showing was underwhelming…don’t like his trainer either but if I thought he would run back to his BC race, might put some money on him.
Will see how things develop between more sore feet and possibility of mud. Which should not bother a great horse but might sink even a very good one buried in kickback.
1 Like
I am kind of hoping East Avenue might be primed for a big race after his 2nd in the Blue Grass. I just like him for some reason; I can’t explain why.
The 2000 Guineas is also being run tomorrow at Newmarket, with the 1000 Guineas on Sunday.
2 Likes
Boy, these Oaks undercard races are terrific. Fierceness just broke the track or race record (they just said record, not which one) and Thorpedo Anna is up next in the La Troianne.
Running on the USA channel until after the Oaks. Commentary is not too bad and quite a bit of info if you want to look in.
They mentioned that quarter crack on KMPs horse is not new, they have been dealing with it for some time and he has raced with it.
4 Likes
Anna faded to last heading for home.
Hopefully she comes out ok.
Congratulations to Raging Sea & her connections.
Taxed also put in a HUGE effort to get up for second.
4 Likes
so disappointed on Thorpedo Anna. Hopefully shes ok.
1 Like
It was a scary looking moment on the first turn for Thorpedo Anna. Glad it wasn’t a wreck, I hope she is ok too.
2 Likes
We all know every horse that races long enough eventually runs a bad race.
Hopefully this was hers & there’s nothing physically wrong.
7 Likes
Boy talk about a pinch! Man they are lucky she didn’t go down.
1 Like
Good Cheer certainly made that look easy. 7-0 lifetime now.
1 Like
