Kentucky Derby 134, E.T.A. 4 weeks

So it is roughly 4 weeks until the greatest sporting event in America is run, the Kentucky Derby. There is no need to rehash all the usual fodder that accompanies the spectacle that is the Greatest 2 Minutes in Sport. Over the past weekend some of the traditional preps were run, the Santa Anita Derby in California, the Wood Memorial in New York, and the Illinois Derby in Chicago.

Wood Memorial

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VEau-cSZIlo

In this race 2yo champ War Pass was trying to vindicate his well earned reputation after running like a 30k claimer in the Tampa Bay Derby last month. The race really was all about this conundrum, a truly talented animal who seemed to go way off form. To make matters worse the ever controversial rabbit was entered to make sure it was a quick pace for the closers in the race. It worked, the pace was excruciatingly fast for even the greatest of horses. Watching the replay you can see War Pass was pressured every step of the way and yielded late to Tale of Ekati. Give credit to the winner but shit are you not supposed to blow by War Pass in a setup like this? The pace was much faster then the final time, not surprising as you can see they staggered home but something tells me the winner will not have an impact in Louisville. Runner up War Pass distinguished himself the best, and I suppose if he gets to set an uncontested pace in the Derby he cannot be tossed but he hardly seems like anything special. Court Vision who was a suck up third was most disappointing, Garret Gomez chose to ride this dog over Colonial John, not sure what that says other then bad decision. I believe the Beyer Figure for the race was 91, just about as bad as it looked on video. Honestly other then War Pass this edition of the Wood goes does with some other recently bad vintages (i.e. Tapit, Bob and John).

Santa Anita Derby

The synthetic revolution is here, it will ruing racing long before it saves it. The first edition of the Santa Anita Derby is the first run on Cushion Track, or at least that is what they are calling it in Socal right now. Here is the replay.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XZbEznrXXRs

Where do you start? I bet Yankee Bravo, now what inspires more confident in a horse for Louisville but a horse who saved ever inch of ground, had a pace to chase yet flattened out at 9f like a dog? Honestly I think there is some wiseguy to this horse and this effort was as bad as you could want. Pace of this race was honest, it was fair for all and we had some pace stay on for the Place and a closer get the Win. Colonel John ran solid and finished ok but I have never thought this was a horse of quality, but this is a shit stack derby field and he actually fits. Bob Blackjack Attack who ran for second is ok, he is a talented sprinter. He will not be found in Louisville. El Gato Malo was the chalk, in the yellow with black star, had zero excuse and clearly looks like a recipient of a perfect trip win two back and not much more. No horse had an excuse and I don't see any reason to move a horse up in Ky.

Illinois Derby

This was the simpliest race of the weekend for the Derby.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=44fs2sSTd0o

In this race if you get the lead, or right off it you win and get bet ridiculously in the Derby. The winner is a dog race horse who rode the golden rail to win and if he is less then 50/1 at CD then he is an underlay. I guess the horses to look at are Atoned and Dennis of Cork who had to try and rally into the setup but it would be more inspiring if one of them had been a bit stronger. Still though at monster prices I could see using them underneath in the Derby. You all know you want to pull down that 850k super in that race (don't lose the ticket like this moron) http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/triple/derby/2005-05-09-superfecta-ticket_x.htm

So three races, no one really impressed, no real trip horses to get excited about. I think in the grand history of these races this was the blah effort of all time for a collective group.

Next week Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes, glories last shot?