Spiral Stakes and Sunland Derby recap

Taylor Made Stallions
by TCI 421 days ago

From the new studio, the TCI boys wrap up the Spiral Stakes and Sunland Derby, and take a first look at Sunday’s wide-open Louisiana Derby. Watch it. Comment.

TCI Top Ten with top speed rating

Rank Name Bris Comments
1 Union Rags 103 Clear-cut Derby favorite has yet to show many weaknesses
2 Creative Cause 107 Back on track as California’s top 3yo after strong San Felipe win
3 El Padrino 111 Logical move to now run in FL Derby as Pletcher’s first-stringer
4 Hansen 105 Staying home for Blue Grass makes sense for the champ
5 Bodemeister 102 Predicament: SA Derby is home, but Ark Derby may be easier
6 Gemologist 98 Comeback was as good as you could have wanted; Wood next
7 Alpha 100 Wood-bound after all, which should provide a good class test
8 Take Charge Indy 109 Curiously passed on easier Tampa Derby for harder FL Derby
9 Dullahan 98 Good return on turf will set him up perfectly for G1 Blue Grass
10 Paynter 93 Illinois Derby next; Talented colt trying to buck history

through 3/26/2012


- More posts: 2012 Triple Crown

Discussion

  • Joe polander

    Joel and John, Just Discovered your new web site. Glad to have found you guys. You both do a professional and thorough review, which is a great help to a handicapper like myself. My #1 horse is Creative Cause. Can’t wait to see him in SA Derby. Also really like Gemologist, he should be strong in Wood Memorial. Both of these classy colts have shown that they like Churchil Downs, which is a factor. I was really impressed with Daddy Nose Best in his win in the Sunland Derby. Only 1/5 of a second off the Stakes track record at 1 1/8. Julien Leparoux afterward said the horse had plenty left as he crossed the wire, leading me to believe that he would get 1 1/4. He also seems  possibly to be a better dirt horse than a turf horse. Hoping that Went the Day Well does not run in the Lexington. This would only give him a 2 wk. break before the Derby. I don’t think any horse has ever won the KY Derby with only a 2 wk. rest. Hoping that Howe Great can run a solid race in the Blue Grass. He will be tested by Hansen and Dullahan. Being by Sunday Silence, Great Howe should be ok on dirt, and at 1 1/4.

    • Joel Cunningham

      Thanks Joe! You are on some good colts there, best of luck to you.

      Daddy Nose Best did come home fast, but he also had a good setup. For me, it’s tough to get a firm handle on the form coming out of Sunland every year. Polytrack is about the same.

      Charismatic is the last Lexington winner to wheel back and win the KY Derby on short rest. But others have run well on short rest. They have said WTDW will now just point straight for the Derby and not run again in between.

      Good point on Howe Great, I think he’ll be a big factor in the Blue Grass. Nice colt.


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