** Road To The 2018 Triple Crown - 5/10: Justy Back On (The) Track, Ruis Will Ship Bolty/Duck The Rain ** (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin 72]

some more pedigree food for thought ....

Raise A Native Sire Line: 11 Derby Winners in the 2000's  

McKinzie
Solomini
Avery Island
Good Magic
Strike Power
Kanthaka
Gold Town
Firenze Fire
Snapper Sinclair
Lombo 
Quip 
Blended Citizen
Vino Rosso
Reride

Storm Cat Sire Line: 0-51 Lifetime in KD  

Promises Fulfilled
Audible
Justiify
Flameaway
Combatant
My Boy Jack
Mendelssohn 

We'll, this flies in the face of everything I've seen thus far on the track. Interesting... 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

yeah, had a feeling the Hof was gonna be pickin' them up late -  glad ya made it and cashed 

oh, and Video Roulette, you say?

  

Pretty much. Adding insult to injury for her was that I sat down right as she was pissing away her last $20 and played two spins. Hit even for $10, then 19-36 for another $10. Cashed out up $20 after about 60 seconds and bought more beers with it. Sometimes it's just your day, and sometimes it ain't. 

 

[otb_lifer]

We'll, this flies in the face of everything I've seen thus far on the track. Interesting... 

... and that pesky Blended Citizen pops up in the RAN line

gonna be a very telling Bluegrass next week: BC/Quip/Flameaway/Sporting Chance/Free Drop Billy/Tiz Mischief/Zing Zang - some ne'er do wells up in that lot ... a second tier "Last Chance Saloon" for most - BC needs to at least show ... think he fits in very well there.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Are the Bluegrass, Santa Anita, and Wood all next Saturday? 

 

[otb_lifer]

Are the Bluegrass, Santa Anita, and Wood all next Saturday? 

yep. 

then Arky on 4/14, along with the Lexington (20/10/4/2). 

/fin prep season. 

 

[chet]

Justify racing in the Santa Anita on Saturday. He was going to race in the Arkansas Derby but with Baffert pulling Mickinzie, they decided to run him in the Santa Anita. 

 

[chet]

Audible vs Mendelssohn 

Pletcher vs O'Brien

USA vs Europe

It’s shaping up to be a great derby. 

 

[otb_lifer]

Justify racing in the Santa Anita on Saturday. He was going to race in the Arkansas Derby but with Baffert pulling Mickinzie, they decided to run him in the Santa Anita. 

figured as much ... Baffert wants another crack at Bolty

which also now means Magnum Moon may go off even money, at most, in Arkansas

Audible vs Mendelssohn 

Pletcher vs Brown

USA vs Europe

It’s shaping up to be a great derby. 

Aidan O'Brien is the trainer of Mendelssohn

 

[chet]

figured as much ... Baffert wants another crack at Bolty

which also now means Magnum Moon may go off even money, at most, in Arkansas

Aidan O'Brien is the trainer of Mendelssohn

It was a late night.

 

[otb_lifer]

It was a late night.

 ditto on that

 

[Judge Smails]

Really bummed the SA Derby rematch isn't going to happen...

Audible was impressive - seems push button.

 

[otb_lifer]

Latest Vegas (Wynn) Odds 

some notable changes in the wake of Saturday ...

Justify is your new fave at 7/1 

Audible now joins Bolty at 8/1

Mendelssohn leaps up to 14/1 - Vegas being very judicious here ... this horse is gonna take a ton of money at those odds.   

Hofburg zooms all the way up to 25/1, as does Gronk

McKinzie floats to 15/1 in light of his sideline

Mississippi now at 35/1 (down from 65), but only has 20 qualifying pts. - gonna need a slew of dropouts   

oh, and Blended Citizen still sittin' at 125/1   

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Latest Vegas (Wynn) Odds 

some notable changes in the wake of Saturday ...

Justify is your new fave at 7/1 

Audible now joins Bolty at 8/1

Mendelssohn leaps up to 14/1 - Vegas being very judicious here ... this horse is gonna take a ton of money at those odds.   

Hofburg leaps all the way up to 25/1, as does Gronk

McKinzie floats to 15/1 in light of his sideline

Mississippi now at 35/1 (down from 65), but only has 20 qualifying pts. - gonna need a slew of dropouts   

oh, and Blended Citizen still sittin' at 125/1   

Honestly thought Mendelssohn would be shorter than 14/1. 

 

[otb_lifer]

Honestly thought Mendelssohn would be shorter than 14/1. 

... he has enough working against him (especially in the bettor's mindset) to offset the dazzler tossed up on Saturday ... think they placed him just right to generate some vigorous action - if he were shorter he may have been laid off too much   

 

[Evilgrin 72]

... he has enough working against him (especially in the bettor's mindset) to offset the dazzler tossed up on Saturday ... think they placed him just right to generate some vigorous action - if he were shorter he may have been laid off too much   

True.  I just can't shake that run, I'd be all over him at 14/1 before I'd be dropping $ on Noble Indy or Good Magic at 12/1, for example.

 

[otb_lifer]

True.  I just can't shake that run, I'd be all over him at 14/1 before I'd be dropping $ on Noble Indy or Good Magic at 12/1, for example.

and that's what installing at 14/1 is gonna lead to - they did it right, imo

 

[Evilgrin 72]

and that's what installing at 14/1 is gonna lead to - they did it right, imo

I suppose so, I mean - we already saw the esteemed Mr. Lambskin saying he'll still toss Mendelssohn without a second thought.  I, on the other hand, think I'll be breaking my "no UAE" edict this year. 

 

[otb_lifer]

... and that pesky Blended Citizen pops up in the RAN line

gonna be a very telling Bluegrass next week: BC/Quip/Flameaway/Sporting Chance/Free Drop Billy/Tiz Mischief/Zing Zang - some ne'er do wells up in that lot ... a second tier "Last Chance Saloon" for most - BC needs to at least show ... think he fits in very well there.

Good Magic also confirmed for that Bluegrass ... that's one hell of a competitive field - looking for a BC/Flameaway exactly up in there. 

$$$$$$

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Good Magic also confirmed for that Bluegrass ... that's one hell of a competitive field - looking for a BC/Flameaway exactly up in there. 

$$$$$$

Oddsmakers seem to like Quip a little more than I expected - interested to see what he does on Saturday.

 

[otb_lifer]

Oddsmakers seem to like Quip a little more than I expected - interested to see what he does on Saturday.

Flameaway had a quizzical stretch run in the TB Derby, but, once righted, he had Quip lined up if we had another 1/2 furlong ...

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Flameaway had a quizzical stretch run in the TB Derby, but, once righted, he had Quip lined up if we had another 1/2 furlong ...

Totally.  I much prefer Flameaway at this juncture.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Did i hear right that the fig on Mendlessohn's UAE Derby was well into the 110s?

 

[otb_lifer]

Did i hear right that the fig on Mendlessohn's UAE Derby was well into the 110s?

i glimpsed a 116

forget the sauce, but i will track it down

 

[Evilgrin 72]

i glimpsed a 116

forget the sauce, but i will track it down

I saw 106 somewhere, but who knows?

 

[otb_lifer]

I saw 106 somewhere, but who knows?

i glimpsed a 116

forget the sauce, but i will track it down

106 was the number i saw, confirmed after digging back. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

106 is nice, but doesnt turn the Derby into a "will he or wont he?" race like 116 would

 

[otb_lifer]

106 is nice, but doesnt turn the Derby into a "will he or wont he?" race like 116 would

was also a juiced Meydan - few other records fell that Saturday over there, as well. 

for persective to our US of A crop ... he was 21 clear of Reride, who hung a 91 up last time out in winning the Mine That Bird Derby (over Runaway Ghost) 

fwiw

 

[chet]

Audible Delivers Loud & Clear: 107 Speed Rating for Florida Derby romp is highest this year

Audible received a 107 Brisnet Speed Rating for his Florida Derby victory on Saturday, March 31, at Gulfstream Park. The number is the highest earned in any 2018 Kentucky Derby points race and tied for second-best in the history of the series.

The win also gave trainer Todd Pletcher his fourth win in the 2017-2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby to lead all trainers. He has won both U.S.-based races in Part 2 of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, and while Pletcher is unlikely to rank his contenders, the Brisnet numbers clearly favor Audible over TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy (he also has Rebel Stakes winner Magnum Moon pointing toward the Arkansas Derby on April 14 at Oaklawn Park).

Kentucky Derby Championship Series Part 2 Brisnet.com Ratings

Date Track Distance Race Winner Speed Class

March 24 Fair Grounds 1  1/8 Louisiana Derby Noble Indy 100 121.0

March 31 Meydan 1 3/16 U.A.E. Derby Mendelssohn n/a

March 31 Gulfstream 1  1/8 Florida Derby Audible 107 122.7

 Audible put up big numbers in all categories, becoming just the second three-year-old to post at least a 90 E1 Pace Rating, 100 E2 Pace Rating, 100 Late Pace Rating, and 100 Speed Rating. Promises Fulfilled, who finished last—beaten 35 1/4 lengths by Audible in the Florida Derby, had done it when winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes, but Audible’s numbers were superior in every category.

The other horses to post the 90, 100, 100, 100, 100 Brisnet ratings chart line in a Kentucky Derby points race were Overanalyze (2012 Remsen), Itsmyluckyday (2013 Holy Bull), Frosted (2015 TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial), J Boys Echo (2017 Gotham), and Bolt d’Oro (2017 FrontRunner).

Of course, prep performance does not always coincide with Kentucky Derby performance. Of the four previous horses to have done this in a points race, none hit the board in the Run for the Roses. Frosted fared best when fourth in 2015 to eventual Triple Crown champion and Horse of the Year American Pharoah.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Audible Delivers Loud & Clear: 107 Speed Rating for Florida Derby romp is highest this year

Audible received a 107 Brisnet Speed Rating for his Florida Derby victory on Saturday, March 31, at Gulfstream Park. The number is the highest earned in any 2018 Kentucky Derby points race and tied for second-best in the history of the series.

The win also gave trainer Todd Pletcher his fourth win in the 2017-2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby to lead all trainers. He has won both U.S.-based races in Part 2 of the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, and while Pletcher is unlikely to rank his contenders, the Brisnet numbers clearly favor Audible over TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy (he also has Rebel Stakes winner Magnum Moon pointing toward the Arkansas Derby on April 14 at Oaklawn Park).

Kentucky Derby Championship Series Part 2 Brisnet.com Ratings

Date Track Distance Race Winner Speed Class

March 24 Fair Grounds 1  1/8 Louisiana Derby Noble Indy 100 121.0

March 31 Meydan 1 3/16 U.A.E. Derby Mendelssohn n/a

March 31 Gulfstream 1  1/8 Florida Derby Audible 107 122.7

 Audible put up big numbers in all categories, becoming just the second three-year-old to post at least a 90 E1 Pace Rating, 100 E2 Pace Rating, 100 Late Pace Rating, and 100 Speed Rating. Promises Fulfilled, who finished last—beaten 35 1/4 lengths by Audible in the Florida Derby, had done it when winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes, but Audible’s numbers were superior in every category.

The other horses to post the 90, 100, 100, 100, 100 Brisnet ratings chart line in a Kentucky Derby points race were Overanalyze (2012 Remsen), Itsmyluckyday (2013 Holy Bull), Frosted (2015 TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial), J Boys Echo (2017 Gotham), and Bolt d’Oro (2017 FrontRunner).

Of course, prep performance does not always coincide with Kentucky Derby performance. Of the four previous horses to have done this in a points race, none hit the board in the Run for the Roses. Frosted fared best when fourth in 2015 to eventual Triple Crown champion and Horse of the Year American Pharoah.

As noted upthread I was at the race Saturday and Audible looked great. I loaded up on him as a key over a few others in an exacta, sucks that he was only 8/5, otherwise a good cash could have been a REALLY good one. 

What looked like it could be a lackluster TC season is really getting intriguing now... 

 

[otb_lifer]

McKinzie OUT Indefinitely

this is a blow to the top half of the potential field ... was surprised at the S.A. Derby yank, and now this ... as per the norm each year, expect a couple/few more defections as we near May 5th, enabling those bubble horses to sneak in.

Blue Grass Draw/Good Magic

Blue Grass Look From ABR

Ruis Wants Justy

Why Mendelssohn Can Do It

Zipse/Shifman look back/ahead, here's the vid chop:

Mendelssohn

Audible

S.A. Derby Preview

Blue Grass Preview

Wood Memorial Preview

 

[otb_lifer]

snow in the forecast for both the Wood and the Blue Grass, with Keeneland under threat of a possible 5 inches   if it is any kinda compromised, ya gotta love Flameaway even more. 

DRF's Watchmaker/Privman preview, the chop:  S.A. Derby   Blue Grass   the Wood 

Illman/Bernier with their Blue Grass take

 

[Evilgrin 72]

snow in the forecast for both the Wood and the Blue Grass, with Keeneland under threat of a possible 5 inches   if it is any kinda compromised, ya gotta love Flameaway even more. 

DRF's Watchmaker/Privman preview, the chop:  S.A. Derby   Blue Grass   the Wood 

Illman/Bernier with their Blue Grass take

Wow. Wonder what we're going to be able to take away from these races if it snows that will be applicable at Churchill. Feels like we may see a lot of confirmation bias. If a horse someone likes going in fares poorly, the weather will be the culprit. If the horse does well, it will be hailed as the ability to perform in any conditions. 

 

[otb_lifer]

Wow. Wonder what we're going to be able to take away from these races if it snows that will be applicable at Churchill. Feels like we may see a lot of confirmation bias. If a horse someone likes going in fares poorly, the weather will be the culprit. If the horse does well, it will be hailed as the ability to perform in any conditions. 

Quip becomes even more dodgy if it's off - consider that he's already punched for KD, so this race is not crucial to him - sure, the connections would love the BG pelt, but he ran his big one in TB - if there is any trouble Saturday, or if he is even slightly off, can't see them pushing with only 4 weeks left 'til Churchill - so, in that respect, i will agree with your former point w/him, and maybe just cross a line through this, regardless. 

of note, though ... KD winners usually ace the final prep, with no less than place finishes as the norm for most of them. 

Good Magic is also secure for KD, as BC Juvey rewarded him a fitty spot ... but he, unlike Quip, needs to show a return to previous form to generate any hope for May 5th ... so, even though their situations are similar, one needs it much more. 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Quip becomes even more dodgy if it's off - consider that he's already punched for KD, so this race is not crucial to him - sure, the connections would love the BG pelt, but he ran his big one in TB - if there is any trouble Saturday, or if he is even slightly off, can't see them pushing with only 4 weeks left 'til Churchill - so, in that respect, i will agree with your former point w/him, and maybe just cross a line through this, regardless. 

of note, though ... KD winners usually ace the final prep, with no less than place finishes as the norm for most of them. 

Good Magic is also secure for KD, as BC Juvey rewarded him a fitty spot ... but he, unlike Quip, needs to show a return to previous form to generate any hope for May 5th ... so, even though their situations are similar, one needs it much more. 

 

[WampusCat43]

snow in the forecast for both the Wood and the Blue Grass, with Keeneland under threat of a possible 5 inches...

I've been going to Keeneland since the 60s and have never seen snow at the Blue Grass.  Global warming my ###.

 

[otb_lifer]

I've been going to Keeneland since the 60s and have never seen snow at the Blue Grass.  Global warming my ###.

latest forecast calls for the snow to end early afternoon, so the race should be cool (literally, 43°). 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I just want to say great work in here by the usual suspects.

My picks for 3 races NBCS will have on Saturday:

Wood (5:55 EDT) : #4 Old Time Revival (6-1)

Blue Grass (6:23 EDT): #5 Quip (6-1)

SA Derby (7:12 EDT): Justify (4-5)

GLTA

 

[Penguin]

Not Derby related but a really cool story

Twin Thoroughbreds Mr. Ping And Mr. Pong To Race Each Other Friday

 

[otb_lifer]

Futures Pool #4   

PPs for Pool #4

Solomini at 20/1 jumps out here as good value - has tangled with the likes of Bolty/Good Magic/McKinzie/Magnum Moon - he's seasoned enough with the top class, and has been turning in some very solid works lately.  KD will be third off the bench, as his second place Rebel last month was his first out since December, where he beat McKinzie, but was DQ'd to third in the Los Al Cash Call - bagged himself a cool 101 for that effort, and showed great resolve closing in the three path.  was pulled outta today's Wood, as Baffert will now ship to Oaklawn to take another crack at MM and Pletcher.

 Flameaway - currently at 30/1 in the futures ... i've been loving this one since the Sam Davis - the most versatile three year old on the planet - has won at varying distances, on all surfaces, different jocks, various tracks, in the mud, from the lead, off the pace - love his heart and grit - not the most talented, but a cat who has shown a nose for the wire, no matter what the hell they throw at him.  love him at those odds, but the class he'll be mixing it up with starts to ramp the #### up going forward

ok, today's card ... huge afternoon, coast to coast triple header!

Wood Memorial

loses a ton of luster with the aforementioned yank of Solomini, but we do get a rematch of last month's Gotham - where longest shot on the board (37/1), Old Time Revival, looked to be in the clear for the huge upset ... oh, but here comes Enticed luggin' and chuggin' with those big strides, right down the middle to win comfortably. of note, that was a one turn mile test - stretching out to  2 turns at 1 1/8th today ... can't see OTR getting this distance, lest they let him get away with some very soft fractions.  

Enticed a deserving favorite outta this lot, but all value is tossed with the defection of Solomini, and the subsequent 6/5 m/l.   thought he had enough at the wire last out to get that extra distance needed today - he is the class here, no question. 

Firenze Fire was the early season "Great Right Hope", but was absolutely fricasseed by a grueling stretch score in the Jerome - diminishing returns after that, getting blown away by Avery Island in the Withers, then finishing fourth in the Gotham.  been a very tough campaign for this cat, but ... third start since that Jerome test, and chances are we will see similar track conditions today.  if there is anything left in the tank he could surprise ... but, man, he just hasn't looked right since, and the lead up works have been sluggish, at best.

Baffert pulled one, ships another - Restoring Hope, who just blew away a restricted field at S.A. for his maiden win ... was pulled from S.A. Derby and pointed here, will also have the services of Flavien Prat, who also ships East for BB.  this is a big colt, outta Giant's Causeway - shows excellent tactical speed - Baffert sees a weaker field here, and is trying to squeeze another KD starter in - respect in the form of 4/1 m/l, this could be a real coming out party ... dunno, could be a monster, but the track conditions may compromise. a real indictment on this field/NY crop - Baffert ships his "C" game and is installed as second choice   

Vino Rosso is a horse i was impressed with after his authoritative close in the Davis ... looked like he would've taken that down with another furlong to go.  disappointing fourth in the ensuing TB Derby, but he didn't get the pace he needed that day ... may not get it here, either - needs some brisk fractions to close in to - could be trouble this afternoon.  has been working very well leading up.   

King Zachary is getting "wiseguy" attention up 'round here ... had a couple sprints to open his career, both at 7f - showed nice closing ability, but finished third in both - he wanted more distance, and he got it, as they wheeled him out for his first route test last month at Gufstream, where they put him forward on the pace - was clear first at the wire by a comfy eight lengths ... 20/1 m/l, but expect this one to be banged down much lower, the Romans trained son of Curlin is gonna take some coin.  

Blue Grass

Quip is pulled out, and will go next week vs. Solomini/Magnum Moon in the Arkansas Derby.

but this Blue Grass was always gonna be about Good Magic getting back in good graces ... BC Juvey, 'nufced.  (well, except for the horrible trip Bolty had) - that was a dynamite win, a blazing 105 - if he runs back, this is gonna be his race, and he will factor at Churchill, no question. now, he did sit for four months after that, and was only good for a disappointing third in last month's Fountain of Youth - and not the most flattering loss, considering that we just saw both front runners of that race get absolutely fried in last week's Florida Derby.  brutal. 

but he's working well, and is second from the layoff today ... expect a fresher colt, who needs to look more BC than F.o.Y.

Flameaway was discussed earlier, and i love everything about this horse ... safest bet to hit the board, no matter what the conditions are ... outside post should be of little problem, he's gonna have company with the favorite out there.  solid. just an honest runner. 

Blended Citizen comes in off a score in the Jeff Ruby - fastest final fraction (12 and change) of any prep runner this year - bagged an even 100 for the scintillating synth close ... nice price at 15/1 m/l - needs a pace to attack, and he should get it.  

Free Drop Billy will also be coming late ... does own a very impressive win over this track in last October's Claiborne Futurity, coming from well off the pace to easily score over some familiar names on the Derby trail.  that was the race that started the chatter on this one, but has chased Audible and Enticed last two out, finishing second and third, respectively.

Marconi is getting some buzz, and will have the services of Mendelssohn jock Ryan Moore, who is shipping stateside to ride this one for Pletcher.  will have no problem getting the distance, and has been up with this class previously (Withers/F.o.Y.) - speed figs have been on the steady incline, will be looking to pick 'em late.

Kanthaka gets out fumunda Mckinzie/Bolt, he was an afterthought third in their epic San Felipe, which was his route debut ... last time in a field sans those two heavyweights he dazzled in the San Vicente - nice rating off some contentious early pace - was at 7f, but he looked to have plenty left. Leparoux up today, as Prat is busy at the Big A.  

Sporting Chance and Tiz Mischief have been the ne'er do wells of this season ... both had lofty expectations, but the last win by either was by Tiz back in October.   he came back to finish a very game second in the now prolific Kentucky Jockey Cup, but flailed about in also-ran status afterwards, best subsequent finish was fifth (eleven lengths behind) in the TB Derby.  meanwhile, SC excited plenty in taking down the 7f Hopeful among some high quality company last September at the Spa ...  followed that with a very game third in a muddy Southwest, but then fizzled to fifth in the Reb.  these two have burned some significant coin, really don't see a path for either today.

Machismo just banged a 58.3 bullet in his final work, and will be making his second ever route start ... the debut was respectable enough, finishing fourth in the F.o.Y. - a horse on the improve.

both races will need to be 'capped depending on the weather - snow was forecast for Lexington, and it will be down in the 30s, with a pretty stiff wind, come post time.  it's a brisk 35 here in NYC atm, with the possibility of rain for the Wood.

Santa Anita Derby 

it's all about Bolt D'oro and Justify. simple enough.

i think Bolty is the cream of this year's crop ... what he did last out in the San Felipe  was pretty remarkable, considering that he was four months off the bench, and took training time off due to injury - the San Felipe was his "shake the rust off" race   yeah, damn impressive.  regardless of the overturn, that was a flat out stunner, considering the sitch for him.  just an awesome colt.  has been working well off the SF, and i really dig the chip Ruis is sporting through all of this, feeling slighted as being second choice m/l for this one, note that he also entered an early speed demon in Orbit Rain  - he wants a piece of Justy, and he's gon' get it - will need to run his best yet, and i think he will, but ... is that gonna be enough if the phenom beasts?  Javi has apparently jumped form Audible to pilot this one going forward ...

Justify is basically co-Derby fave with Bolty - that's a ton of respect and cred tossed at a colt who has yet to face graded company ... but this one looks so freakin' powerful out there, and with McKinzie's defection, he's now the main Baffert threat - his top speed may not have been seen yet, and that's pretty astonishing to consider, seeing as how he was given a 104 his last out in his route debut.  his last three works have been Baffert specials - gradually increasing from 4f, to 5f, and finally 6f this past Monday - and he drilled all three beautifully.  rounding into peak form at the most opportune time, we could see a record breaker today if he takes down his rival. 

Instilled Regard will be a spectator today, had no answer in the Risen Star after a nice score in the Lecomte - did run a big one in the previously mentioned Los Al CC, was right up there with McK/Solomini - should be a "free parking" third for him, which will insure a start at Churchill.  

gimme Bolt D'oro 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Jazzed for today's races. The Arkansas Derby next week looks a lot more compelling now as well. 

 

[otb_lifer]

updated on the weather - both Keeneland and Aqueduct should see mid 40s, with mild winds come post time. 

and, after all the talk of the weather at those two tracks during the week, it now looks as if the S.A. Derby could be the one under threat, with a slight chance of showers for the showdown in Arcadia.  

but it looks like we get honest weather outta all three venues. 

 

[otb_lifer]

Vino Rosso takes the Wood ... man, Old Time Revival just FLEW out there, setting fast as hell fractions, ceded at the 3/4, then Enticed and Vino hooked up ... Vino turned the fave back in a very impressive stretch rum.

INQUIRY and OBJECTION from Enticed and Alvarado pending ...

 

[Penguin]

I tossed Vino Rosso last minute. Had Enticed over Restoring Hope & King Zachary

 

[otb_lifer]

I tossed Vino Rosso last minute. Had Enticed over Restoring Hope & King Zachary

Old Time Revival was sent on a suicide mission ... Vino got that hot pace he so desperately needed - surprised OTR tried to steal this one on the front in such a hurry - i never thought he could get the distance, but, ferchrissakes, no one went with, at all.

 

[Penguin]

Yeah going the extra turn I thought OTR wouldn't rocket out like that, oh well.

 

[otb_lifer]

Objection/Inquiry overruled - Vino/Enticed/Restoring Hope/Firenze Fire - 100/40/20/10.

Vino rising from the ashes here - hello, Churchill.   

Enticed actually passed him for a hot ####### second in the stretch, but that sumb!tch dug deep.  nice one 

 

[otb_lifer]

roughly five minutes to Blue Grass ... watching the tote, Blended Citizen has drifted up to 21/1 - Kanthaka/Marconi/Sporting Chance all taking some late coin

 

[otb_lifer]

Blue Grass -

GOOD MAGIC holds off pacesetter Flamey (who had another green stretch run) - not a pretty race here. 

Sporting Chance BOLTED the #### out, wtf?  came in third ... 

inquiry now on Sporty and Free Drop underneath ... pending

Inquiry/objection upheld, Free Drop to third, Sporty to fourth ... those points are gonna really matter if we get more dropouts in the coming weeks.

Good Magic/Flamey/Free Drop/Sporting Chance - 100/40/20/10.

 

[otb_lifer]

JUSTIFY holds off Bolty - wired 'em in 1:49

bit of a stretch battle, but the winner was never really in trouble.

this is a beast of a colt here, folks 

 

[wikkidpissah]

Justy holds off Bolt - wired 'em in 1:49

bit of a stretch battle, but the winner was never really in trouble.

this is a beast here.

'beast' is the word. dont think mikey did him any favors keeping him out of trouble, though. he might be big & fast enough to make his path, but 20-horse fields dont usually allow that.

still, sooooo much better than last year. Bolt would rule those, but he's well behind a GB push-button pro and a couple trublu oners. didnt see anything close to those four in the earlier preps