DH and I start talking Derby right about now. This year, the two year old I like is Pyro. Did you see his closing kick in the Breeder’s Cup? :eek: WOW!
And he’s by Pulpit, out of a strong female family. Exciting colt, and my pick for next year.
Who do you like?
Here’s a refresher, just in case …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWeV2KU67DY
Having lived in Texas, I gotta go with Big Truck!!!
On a more serious note, there are a couple that got sidelined that I want to see come back before I say anything, BUT, I did like Maimonides
War Pass
Isn’t a wee bit early? 
We haven’t even seen the running of the Remsen Stakes (G2) which is decent test of those horses unlikely to have been Breeders’ Cup JV runners.
Early names in the late fall of the year prior rarely produce more then just a single runner or two still active, healthy, and developed enough be a big contender in the Derby.
A flash back for illustration …
From January 2, 2007, The Saratogian newspaper published the very first top 10 list for this year’s Derby hopefuls:
Street Sense - like War Pass - was a Breeders’ Cup JV winner and with it comes enough loot and the all important G1 win on the resume to be automatically on anyone’s list. However, outside of ‘Nobiz’, none of the other names were terribly of note on the first Saturday in May and of course several weren’t even starters.
Sad to say but unlike in years past, horses who were impressive in say the Saratoga Specia seem to fail to be around for the Derby. This year’s winner was Kodiak Kowboy. He may already be questionable at the 1 1/4 mi distance, but has earned enough money to be guaranteed a slot in the Kentucky Derby.
His record in 2007 is already 7 starts 4-1-1
10/27/07 $2M Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Grade 1: Finished 3rd
09/15/07 $250K Futurity S. Belmont Park: Grade 2: Finished 2nd
08/16/07 $150K Saratoga Special S.: Grade 2: won
07/07/07 $150K Bashford Manor S. Churchill Downs: Grade 3: won
06/17/07 $125K Victoria S. Woodbine: ungraded: won
05/26/07 $48K Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs: ungraded: won
04/29/07 $60K Maiden Special Weight Woodbine: ungraded: Finished 4th
By all accounts he’s improving, has multiple graded stakes victories and solid in the money finishes, however historically it could be said he and War Pass (vis-a-vis the BC jinx) could be tossed out
I agree with Pyro -
Ah, Glimmer, it’s never too early for a little healthy speculation. :winkgrin: Besides, one of us may be able say I Told You So next May …
I love fillies in the derby, no question. My filly choice at this point is High Resolve who put in a commanding victory by 8 lngth at least @ Calder a few days back in a $150k JOF Stakes. That’s the kind of run I like to see.
Never a good thing in my view to announce this before a colt makes their 3-year old debut! Lane’s End to Stand War Pass
Oh sure “upon retirement”, but folks how dumb can we all be to think that doesn’t guarantee it will be at the end of 2008? Just one more step down the path to ruining the sport …
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;2808604]
Never a good thing in my view to announce this before a colt makes their 3-year old debut! Lane’s End to Stand War Pass[/QUOTE]
Oh Lordy. :rolleyes:
It may be a little early to start talking Derby picks, but there’s not much else to talk about in the racing world right now. Unless we want to talk more about Curlin’s convoluted situation and that’s pretty depressing.
I don’t have a Derby pick yet. War Pass has been mighty impressive, but it remains to be seen if he will still be that good in the spring.
Once a horse hits $1M, that is when the farms start talking to owners and trying to get them. This horse being 4-4 he got to that number very quickly. Cherokee Run is a good stallion, and his off spring will be in demand.
Sangaree. Will make his debut at Hollywood this week.
Related to Lad 
~Emily
It is awfully early, but War Pass looks good at this stage. Agreed, though, on the implications of his breeding rights being sold. :sadsmile:
Do the Phipps family have any good colts? Theirs might not be apparent, yet, though, as they don’t rush them. I would really love to see the Phipps family win another TC race, just as a reward to a great racing family who does things the old-fashioned way.
I’m liking War Pass. I saw his first race, and man was I impressed. He had no trouble keeping the lead, several lengths ahead of the rest of the horses.
Colonel John looked fantastic today taking the Real Quiet Stakes over a mile & 1/16th today at Hollywood. Beautiful, beautiful boy.
While we are throwing darts at the wall may I also say I couldn’t help but be at least a little impressed by Canyon Drive. He was entered to run in the seventh at Hollywood today at just 6f, but…he couldn’t wait to get going, dumped his jock during the warm up and proceeded to go two turns (and from the sound of it, working on a third) before the outriders could catch him…:uhoh: Ahhh, two year olds.
Sangaree - half to Congaree, right? Loved his big bro, will put the youngster in my VS.
:winkgrin:
Ah, yes, Colonel John. Heard a lot about him and was eagerly awaiting that race today. He did not make a liar out of anybody!
Today’s BloodHorse article by Steve Haskin does a decent rundown of very early Derby contender names.
Curiously absent from mention is the horse who was the buzz at Saratoga (aside from Majestic Warrior): Maimonides
I haven’t wanted to post on this thread for fear of jinxing “my” pick… but Court Vision has my attention as of right now.
Lightning will probably strike him down tomorrow. :lol:
[QUOTE=miss_critic;2804686]
Having lived in Texas, I gotta go with Big Truck![/QUOTE]
Tagg is going to race him Saturday (24th) in the $200,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct where Nobiz put in his sensational victory last year.
Zito’s Cool Coal Man has opted instead of the Remsen to run (also on the 24th) down at Churchill for (G2) $250,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. The other likely starters include Court Vision, Halo Najib, and Slew’s Tiznow plus four others.
Both races are at 1 1/16 mi.
[QUOTE=johnnysauntie;2812770]
Sangaree - half to Congaree, right? Loved his big bro, will put the youngster in my VS.
:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Yep he’s a half to Congaree. Finished a nice 2nd.
Here’s how he and Lad connect…
Sangaree is Awesome Again x Mari’s Sheba
His dam, Mari’s Sheba is Mari’s Book x Sheba Little
Lad is Unbridled x Sheba Little…
IE. Lad’s older half sister is Congaree’s and Sangaree’s dam
Sangaree was bred by Stonerside Farm as was Lad and Mari’s Sheba
~Emily
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