Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby recap

Taylor Made Stallions
by OneFastHorse 414 days ago

Jon & Joel analyze the results of the Florida and Louisiana Derbies, and opine on the impact each will have on the Kentucky Derby trail. Can the disappointments from Union Rags, El Padrino and others be reversed next month? Who is now lacking in graded money and in jeopardy of missing the Run for the Roses?

Watch it. Comment.

TCI Top Ten with top speed rating

Rank Name Bris Comments
1 Union Rags 103 Trip cost him in FL Derby, but that experience should benefit him next month
2 Creative Cause 107 Could assume role of Derby favorite with a big performance at SA
3 El Padrino 111 May have bounced in FL Derby, and now desperate with graded earnings
4 Hansen 105 Staying home for Blue Grass makes sense for the champ
5 Bodemeister 102 Hits the road for Arkansas Derby; Works indicate improvement
6 Gemologist 98 Badly in need of graded earnings, so must run well in the Wood
7 Take Charge Indy 109 Took advantage of easy pace to score a breakthrough win in FL Derby
8 Alpha 100 Also needs a good showing in the Wood to get precious graded earnings
9 Dullahan 98 Will his recent splint bone injury set him back? Blue Grass-bound 
10 Paynter 93 Promoted to SA Derby; Connections confident in his ability

through 4/3/2012


Tags: , - More posts: 2012 Triple Crown

Discussion

  • Joe polander

    Joel – Looking forward to SA Derby and wood Memorial this weekend. Derby fever only 4 wks away now. My #1 is Creative Cause and my #2 is Gemologist. Looking for a good performance from CC, blinkers off is an interesting change for him, we will see how this works out, also he is a horse that hates the whip, Rosario shouldn’t use it, just let the horse do his thing. Gemologist needs a win or place finish to secure a spot in the Derby. It will be put up or shut up time for him, I think he will be up to the task. I am eyeing a CC and Gemologist Exacta box come Derby Day. I think CC will finish no worse than third. This will be my strategy to try to hit the always lucrative Derby trifecta with horses like Take Charge INdy, Daddy Nose Best, Union Rags, Hansen, Went The Day Well , all having a big shot to crack the top 3 or even win come Derby Day. El Padirino would be in my top 8, but I think he won’t make the Graded Earnings cut.

    • Joel Cunningham

      SA Derby is interesting…CC draws the rail and they are experimenting with blinkers off which are two uncertainties that make it interesting IMO. I do love his class, but I’m curious to see how professional he’ll be in here, especially in the stretch.

      Gemologist is the horse to beat in the Wood IMO because of his tactical speed to get the trip he needs. I do not see him as a colt that has to be in the race early if the pace is hot, but I like that he can take an advantage with his speed if the pace comes up moderate Saturday. BUT, if that pace gets hot then watch out for the local horse Street Life…he needs a good pace to run at and have success in here, but I think he’s a heckuva finisher and has quietly emerged in NY this winter chasing down slow paces over an inner track that has played to speed…so his races have been legit IMO, even though he hasn’t beaten anybody special to date.

      A lot of intrigue and graded earnings of importance on the line this weekend. Should be fun! Best of luck.


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