A.P. Indy - Kentucky's Champion

On this day, February 21, 2020, A.P. Indy transferred to his next life one month shy of his actual 31st birthday (March 31). In doing so, he has left as many fans that remain in horse racing to mourn the passing of the Kentucky Champion from Lane's End Farm. This should be a day we all reflect on A.P. Indy's incredible LEGACY on a life well lived, not sadness over his loss. There has been far too much sadness in our sport in recent years that isn't always a natural occurrence to get down over A.P. Indy's passing. In fact, with his remarkable stud record, there would not be much of a "sport" left without this fiery son of Seattle Slew's DNA imprinted on the American thoroughbred. Most notably, his Tapit line via Constitution carries hopes and dreams for Kentucky Derby 146 with top candidates Tiz the Law, Independence Hall, Gouverneur Morris among other sire line chances.

My reflections of A.P. Indy bring me back to a very happy time in my life just after high school graduation. Although I wasn't privileged to see him grace the track in person as many other greats, I remember all the drama of his 1992 Derby morning scratch (precursor to "Dawn at the Downs" live show from Churchill Downs). His late scratch led to one of my favorite childhood horses from Oaklawn Park - Lil E. Tee - storming past Arazi on the far turn to give Pat Day his first and only Derby victory. I also recall A.P. Indy's ever-present low-head stride underneath Eddie D. roll in the Belmont Stakes and that dark, glistening coat split horses in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park en route to deserved Champion Horse of the Year honors.

After his racing days ended (in which he just happened to cover his $2.9 million purchase price in purse earnings from 8 of 11 victories for owner Tomonori Tsurumaki + breeding deal), his name would appear with regularity in all the BloodHorse stud registries I've perused through the decades and Equibase breeding charts from weekly stakes races where his progeny showed up about 13% of the time (roughly same as contemporary top sire Storm Cat, who also died in his 30th year). Both A.P. and Storm Cat topped the leading sire list twice and also led the broodmare sire list. A.P. Indy was credited with 88 graded stakes winners (a few shy of Storm Cat) and 12 category champions. He was piloted with aplomb under the Hall of Fame Louisiana native Eddie Delahoussaye, who bested quality runners and future sires Pleasant Tap, Strike the Gold, Bertrando, Pine Bluff, Marquetry and Twilight Agenda during his two quality seasons gracing the oval.

A.P. Indy was larger than life in my world, and he backed up his lofty presence the one and only time I visited him at Lane's End Farm in the fall of 2015. Actually, I was there to view current stallions but the son of Secretariat's greatest offspring - Weekend Surprise - was being pulled out of his far right corner stall to have his hooves worked on (a frequent occurrence for Indy's bad feet). Catching his majestic, golden silhouette off to the right, I ditched the stud show to spend a few moments at a respectful distance from his handler/groom Asa Haley and the farrier that knew him all too well. Who had time to see Candy Ride, Mineshaft and Lemon Drop Kid when the Muhammad Ali of race horses was just yards away?!

A.P. was a consummate professional standing while being cared for, with his sunken back and heavy barrel seeming at ease. The one thing that struck me was how the white in his eye was ever vigilant -- flush with intelligence. Begrudgingly having to part his presence, it was reassuring seeing him trotting in his turn-out paddock as our group was dispersing. One of the greatest U.S. stallions of my generation was still very much enjoying his life in the Bluegrass at an advanced age with all the comforts of the only home at Lane's End that he'd known for nearly 25 years. Not every horse receives that luxury, but each horse certainly deserves it. Let the memory of A.P. Indy inspire us all to do what we can to assist retired horses, especially senior horses living out their final days. Run in peace, Champ! You may be gone, but your legacy will never be forgotten.

Eric Kordsmeier
@DerbyTalk

Gun Runner caps brilliant career with another dominant victory!

In honor of Gun Runner's brilliant Breeders' Cup an Pegasus World Cup performances, I'd like to share my top five champions who went out with an epic performance...

1. Personal Ensign (BC Distaff): Completed her career undefeated with a furious stretch rally to nip Derby victor Winning Colors on the wire. Watching that replay still gives me goosebumps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSpBui9UIkM

2. Secretariat (WO Canadian Turf): poor Tom Rolfe... Big Red was a locomotive that chilly day-literally, as he plumed white puffs with every combustible exhale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow2LcVdijt8

3. Tiznow (defends BC Classic): wins one for America -- Tom Durkin said it all.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0QqdYJeCts

4. American Pharoah (Grand Slam in BC Classic): greatest 2 loss horse in history? Left no doubt on that historic Keeneland afternoon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weKIGbOKHyE

5. (Tie) Beholder (BC Distaff): elder mare finale vs. Songbird one for the ages through entire length of SA stretch! HOFers Stevens and Smith were artists matching strides. I was in attendance and cried after the finish not knowing who won but recognizing greatness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCPxafCgDz0

5. (Tie) Gun Runner (BC Classic): oh, Gunny. We go way back to the Derby trail at FG in 2016. Every time I bet you, you won (except for my $100 flyer bet at 10-1 vs Arrogate in Dubai, still don't regret it!). Even in (rare) defeat, you showed up every freakin time. Your signature low head, high ridin Frenchie jock and grey headed, whistlin trainer could do no wrong with you one-nutted sonofagun. Gun Runner, I think I love you... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b2BsJWHUik

RIP Charles Cella - Oracle of Oaklawn

Garland County lost its stalwart son today when the man who expertly maneuvered the reins of Oaklawn Park for five decades like Pat Day guiding Lil E. Tee on the first Saturday in May passed away at age 81.  Speaking of Lil E. Tee, it should be noted that Mr. Cella’s long-time trainer Lynn Whiting also passed away recently in April of 2017. Lynn provided Mr. Cella one of his biggest thrills in racing when their Cyber Secret won Oaklawn’s namesake handicap race in 2013.

During this holiday season each year, you are sure to see Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” on television a time or two. In the closing scene, newly returned war hero Harry Bailey raises a glass and says to the adorning crowd, “A toast to my big brother George, the richest man in town.” Well folks, Charles Cella is certainly the richest man in Hot Springs, Arkansas -- both figuratively and literally. But that wasn’t always the case. Mr. Cella was doling out an estimated million dollars or more per year from his hip pocket to cover the operational losses from Oaklawn Park throughout the early 1990s. Keep in mind this is the same decade that brought Arkansas racing fans the likes of Bayakoa, Unbridled, Best Pal,  Lil E. Tee and Pine Bluff, Paseana, Rockamundo (Borel - look it up), Best Pal, Cigar and Victory Gallop. When people ask why I’m such a huge racing fan, bettor, owner, breeder I should start by replying with the simple short answer…“Charles Cella.” 

Horse racing all across America was severely threatened by the proliferation of states authorizing riverboat or tribal casinos that were numerous in connecting states Mississippi, Louisiana and Oklahoma. In a July 1995 article by William Nack published in Sports Illustrated, Nack recounted the following conversation. “Racetracks and casinos cannot exist as rival entities,” Cella says. “It’s not a level playing field… I am not a casino guy. I have a passion for racing. I would never get into the casino business if it weren’t for racing. Casino gambling, if it augments purses, I’m all for it. That’s the only reason I’m interested in them. Casino to me is a bad word. But if we don’t get one, Oaklawn could very well go under.”

Well, after repeated failed election ballot attempts the Arkansas General Assembly in 1999 approved “games of skill” that began with an Oaklawn joint creation with AmTote known as Instant Racing. These were slot machine like video terminals providing a foundation of support for the live racing product that was the brainchild of long-time Oaklawn GM Eric Jackson (recently retired). After the success of 50 original machines placed at Oaklawn Park (and Southland Greyhound Park), Oaklawn was “off to the races” on a path to financial stability.  This renewed profitability would only strengthen in following years to a point where only Saratoga (as we say in Hot Springs, the “other” Spa) has higher daily purses for a meet that exceeds 40 race days.

Mr. Cella was a major business force in the St. Louis, MO area where he resided most of the year. He also was a nationally ranked squash player in his youth. But the essence of the man – his LEGACY – is that of Oaklawn Park. He also enjoyed the highest success as a horse owner with 1995 Breeders’ Cup Turf Champion Northern Spur. Mr. Cella campaigned 800K earner Crafty Shaw, aforementioned Cyber Secret and Grade 2 winner Dark Moondancer (GB).  I always found it ironic that his greatest race horse was a grass specialist since Oaklawn has never had (and likely never will have) a turf course. According to Equibase, Mr. Cella achieved 90 victories since 2000 with over $4.5 million in purse winnings. One interesting side note is that my most successful runner at Oaklawn Park over five years of ownership was Sammy’s Bandit. The Bandit was a half-brother to Mr. Cella’s Cyber Secret (Stomping dam) and reeled off multiple Oaklawn Park victories during the 2014 meet (thanks Lon Wiggins!) and gave us a thrill by winning the first race on Arkansas Derby day in front of 70,000 of my “closest friends.”

The Cella family statement read: "In addition to the holidays with his family, his favorite time of the year was always the Oaklawn racing season with fans, horsemen and staff.” As a regular railbird at my original “home track” of Oaklawn Park, Mr. Cella would often be seen waltzing through the ground level of the track apron surveying the crowd with his lanky frame, often with a cigar dangling. He may have shown up with large parties dressed to the nines and being escorted to the best tables in the Oaklawn Jockey Club. But by day’s end Charles would be seen on his own, savoring his moment just like Steve Asmussen does today or my Uncle Shell the plumber did ten years ago when he was alive. These special moments -- listening to the hooves on the track just feet away, the smell of draft beer and cheap cigars, the visual of young gals and guys flirting and having a blast, the sound of drunken drawl accents cursing Calvin Borel on the beaten chalk or cheering on Jon Court for booting home a 20-1 shot. THESE are the moments!  And even the richest man in town understood that. My condolences to sons Louis and John Cella and daughter Harriet Marshall, as well as to his extended Oaklawn family who may have known him as well as anyone.

Clarence Oddbody AS2 (aka, George’s Guardian Angel) left a note when he departed Bedford Falls. “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.” Shortly after, George’s daughter Zuzu recanted, “Everytime a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” Come Friday afternoon on January 12, 2018 at 2705 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, about twenty to twenty-five thousand of Mr. Cella’s closest friends will gather to celebrate an angel getting his wings when the gates are sprung and that starting bell bellows to kick off the 115th anniversary year of historic Oaklawn Park. And according to Terry Wallace, the sun is sure to be shining on that day. RIP Mr. Cella – the richest man in town.
--
Eric Kordsmeier
Dallas, TX

Derby 143 Thoughts

As much as I love beating CHALK in each and every race (especially in a 20 horse Kentucky Derby field with odds galore), favorites have been drubbing me into submission the last several years making my Derby bets look foolish. American Pharoah was the only top win pick I’ve had from the last four Derbies (Nyquist, California Chrome and Orb being other chalk winners). Interestingly, Pharoah’s 2.9 – 1 odds were better than Nyquist (2.3-1) and Chrome (2.5-1).  But this Saturday I’m hoping to get some decent exotic payoffs in spite of backing the likely favorite or 2nd choice on top, Always Dreaming.  To do so, I’ll need a double-digit price horse Hence and/or bomb long-shot State of Honor to crack the top four spots.

There are a few main threats to claim the roses such as Irish War Cry, Girvin and Classic Empire coming off impressive prep victories that I will simply bury my head in the sand and ignore (at least in the win spot on my tickets).  Closers McCraken, Gunnavera and Tapwrit should be coming late, but perhaps too late for my taste.  The tough part about Derby handicapping is having to eliminate several top contenders to play an affordable ticket. That's what makes this so damn fun!

One of my current "hunch" horses may have the best key-race angle of all, yet is coming into The Derby with a historically unsuccessful route via Sunland Park. I am speaking of the strapping hoss chestnut son of Street Boss, HENCE. Somewhat reminding me of other late maturing Steve Asmussen charges Nehro and Creator (breaking maiden late in the spring then getting real good), his Sunland Derby last to first sweeping move in a fast time was very impressive, but his previous flat 7th place finish in Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes was a clunker. I recall the day he broke his maiden at Oaklawn as a heavy favorite, drawing away at the top of the lane before bolting into the rail and losing his action, only to re-rally late to retake the lead. That proves the talent level and"heart" factor of a horse that may be leading up to his best race yet. H

Hence, my main tickets will include Always Dreaming and Hence on top of a few others, including McCraken, Classic Empire and bomb long-shot State of Honor. SOH hasn't won this spring, but has been more consistent than any other running 2nd/3rd and the "lesser" Mark Casse horse is doing fine in the cooler weather of Louisville (float like a butterfly, sting like a bee).

And for you Kentucky Oaks homies, on this - Louisville's Day at The Downs, I'm playing the Cat-Man-Do's little filly, Farrel over long-shot Vexatious to get my Derby Day bankroll started.
Good luck to all!

Speed kills baby -- don't discount the Early/Pressers in The Derby

Why can’t Early/Presser types be used as long-shots?  I will present evidence of speed oriented horses sticking around for the bottom of tris/supers/high five payouts.  Last year was a faster than typical Derby with splits of 22.58, 45.72 and 1:10.40, yet both Nyquist and 3rd place finisher Gun Runner comprised two-thirds of the trifecta after running in the lead group from the opening bell. Granted, they were clearly a notch above the competition at this point last year, where cream rises to the top.  I expect this year’s pace to be comparable to 2014-2015 - an average paced Derby.

In Chrome’s victory in 2014 the internal splits were 47.37 and 1:11.80 and in addition to Chrome going from 3rd to 1st, Samraat was 5th early and hung around for the High Five payout at 17-1.  But 2015 makes the strongest case for Early/Presser types faring well, when the internal splits were average 47.34 and 1:11.29.  Four of the top five finishers were in the top flight all the way around – Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund and Danzig Moon at 23-1.  Only highly regarded Frosted was able to close his way into 4th place finish. Going back even further, Shackleford hung around for 4th in the 2011 Derby at 23-1 and in 2008 49-1 longshot Recapturetheglory held onto 5th after being part of the lead group from the get-go. Finally, some of you may recall the zippy bred Limehouse, who in 2004 rebounded from a tiring and distant 3rd place loss by over 6 lengths in the Blue Grass to finish in the Derby superfecta at odds of 42-1 after being only a few lengths off the early lead set by Lion Heart and eventual winner Smarty Jones. This is relevant due to the sloppy track that day, where often horses running up front have an advantage of less kickback and being able to steal races (hint for Saturday with rain likely).

Now let’s take a look at some mid-priced closers who did NOT fare well, perhaps due to their trip line often associated with closers (included);

2016 closers (had very fast pace to close into): Brody’s Cause 7th (5w, slight response), Mo Tom 8th (steadied, fanned 7w), Creator 13th (checked, bumped hard).
2015 closers (average pace): Keen Ice 7th (wait 5wd 3/16, altr bid), Mubtaahij 8th (rate bk, in chase), Far Right 15th (lagged, very wide).
2014 closer (average pace): Dance With Fate 6th (rough trip, angl 5w), Ride On Curlin 7th (rail, stdy 1/4 angl 9w), Medal Count 8th (shuffled early, chkd 1/8).

So please keep talking up the deep closers and I’ll take my chances with a horse with tactical speed, even getting a bit leg-weary, but without having to navigate the far turn stampede. Even if you happen on the RIGHT closer on that day, they still need a lot of luck to get to the lead group before the finish line. I know this first-hand after being burned with Creator’s rough trip last year, even though we saw he bounced back smartly in the Belmont that didn't present the log-jam that is The Derby!

Eric is ALWAYS DREAMING of another Kentucky Derby week!

Welcome back for Derby 143 horse racing fans and friends! Unlike the last few years where the standout Derby prospects as two year-olds were consistent up to and throughout the Triple Crown series (California Chrome, American Pharoah, Nyquist/Exaggerator), we've had some interesting results on Derby Trail 2017.  However, 2YO champion Classic Empire rebounded from health issues and a sub-par early prep to likely establish his favoritism on the first Saturday in May with his late rally score in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby under Julian Leparoux. Being a self-proclaimed "homer" of Oaklawn Park (which has served me well over the last decade in TC races), I will be using more than one Oaklawn based sophomore from this spring in my bets, although I don't believe the Ark Derby or Rebel is the key race angle horse players seek. More on that later in week.

Rather than the big one or two leading into the final days of preparations at Churchill Downs, it's shaping up as a crap-shoot from 5 of the top 6 major prep winners -- Always Dreaming (FL Derby), Irish War Cry (Wood Memorial), Classic Empire (AR Derby), Girvin (LA Derby) and Gormley (SA Derby). Irap's maiden breaking victory in the Blue Grass Stakes was generally considered a loose horse on the lead winning with dawdling fractions. Thus, he will likely not be a top betting interest.

Others expected to draw a lot of Derby day action at the parimutuel windows include a pair of third place finishers, yet late running threats Gunnavera (FL Derby) and McCraken (Blue Grass). The former is one of the best human interest stories of this year's Derby being just a sixteen grand yearling purchase by a legendary Venezuela trainer who defected to the States after being abducted for ransom money, not once but twice!  The latter is also getting buzz as a "horse for the course" with all his 2YO victories under the Twin Spires. McCraken is also trained by a man who worked as assistant to Carl Nafzger when both Unbridled and Street Sense claimed the roses.

Regardless of who goes off as favorite this Saturday, the odds should be more dispersed than in recent years. A handful of horses could go off as the post-time favorite, which means lowest odds could be in the 5-1 or 6-1 price range. A couple more days to the post position draw, then let the final handicapping occur. Enjoy Derby week 143!

Creator wins Belmont "under the rainbow" leading to pots of gold

What a day of racing we were treated to Saturday afternoon from historic Belmont Park in Elmont, NY.  Tip of the cap to NYRA and CEO Chris Kay for putting up the money to host six Grade 1 races on the same card!  A few nice priced winners (Pure Sensation, Tom’s Ready, Celestine) for pick 3 and 4 players, a couple record-breaking performances (Celestine and Frosted), no horses injured (after unlucky Preakness Day) and one of the closest and most debated Belmont Stakes outcomes with Creator nipping Destin on the last jump to cap a quality day of racing at Big Sandy!  Add to that mix seeing one of my personal favorite Arkansas Derby winners of all time claim Belmont fame and my second best day of wagering from three decades playing the ponies and it’s a day I won’t soon forgot for another three decades (or as long as my memory lasts!).

I’m not sure who deserves the most credit for Creator’s victory. Trainer Steve Asmussen will soon be inducted into the National Racing Museum’s Hall of Fame and this late maturing horse has admittedly been one of his greatest training jobs with the cantankerous son of Tapit. Winstar Farm CEO Elliott Walden, no stranger to winning the 12 furlong Belmont Stakes as he led Victory Gallop to snatch defeat from sshhh Real Quiet in the 1998 Triple Crown finale, made a shrewd but common racing move by entering their speedy Gettysburg as a pace factor to not only help Creator’s chance at winning but also Winstar’s stallion prospect Exaggerator. One more comment for the numerous Twitter detractors on the entry of Gettysburg as an “assist” to Creator’s slam dunk. If it was so obvious what the outcome would be with his entry as a pace presence, why didn’t you all make a large win bet on Creator?  Perhaps because whether it be Gettysburg or another horse who would have shown more speed, that didn’t singularly help Creator but also the deepest lineup of “true closers” ever assembled for the Belmont Stakes.  Yet it wasn’t Exaggerator, Suddenbreakingnews, Cherry Wine, Brody’s Cause or Lani who transferred this pace into a victory. Nope -- the best horse on this day at 1 ½ miles was Creator!  Not to mention Gettysburg’s finish ahead of the top two betting choices and well ahead of more hapless long-shots.

Finally, we saw one of the best tactical rides of all-time by the New York based rider Irad Ortiz as he kept Creator within touch early and patiently waited on the rail saving ground on the far turn. Irad held his position in the 2 path, hemming in Governor Malibu (exchanged bumps) as Joel Rosario tried to move outside a tiring Gettysburg. Then you can see Irad pulling his right rein just once to attempt to steer Creator wide before thinking twice and pausing two strides as an ever so slight hole emerged when Rosario again steered to the rail on Governor Malibu -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKxmvnqkXE4.  Watch the following replay and you will see that was the same set-up Gary Stevens used for even a slimmer nose win aboard Victory Gallop (who also had an outside 11 post yet worked to rail to save ground).                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLV7xZPwvM0. 

Last year's epic Triple Crown series with American Pharoah was one for the ages that will never be forgotten in most of our hearts and minds. But the great thing about the sport of horse racing is that EVERY year produces a favorite Derby, Preakness or Belmont for thousands of fans, owners, trainers or jockeys for various reasons.  On behalf of my fellow Texans Winstar Farm owner Kenny Troutt and trainer Steve Asmussen, this was one of OUR favorites thanks to a special gray colt named CREATOR!

Nyquist down, but not out...

As Jimmy Buffett (a fellow horse owner, btw) once sang -- mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa for tossing Exaggerator and Mor Spirit in the KY Derby. It's truly ignorant to ever toss a legitimate closer in The Derby as you never know how the pace will turn out. Ice Box should have taught me this painful lesson years ago.  I offer a hearty congratulations to Exaggerator for not only proving clearly second best in The Derby, but for wining the Preakness Stakes convincingly.

While my top 3 picks of Creator (horrible trip 13th), Gun Runner (3rd) and Mohaymen (4th) left me (and others) shutout on Derby day, the Preakness outcome illustrated why you generally do not want to accept a heavy favorite in this triple crown series with huge payoff possibilities when the best horse does not always win. Nyquist was a convincing winner in The Derby and with his speedy style seemed a lock for the Pimlico oval. But the rogue Awesome Speed and jockey Jevian Toledo sandwiched him between Uncle Lino the first time through the stretch and again approaching the far turn and that was his undoing by the end of the 1 3/16ths race. In my opinion, the outside flanking by Toledo took more away from Nyquist than the fractions, as the 22.38, 46.56, 1.11.97 split times of the Preakness were on the whole slower than 22.58, 45.72, 1.10.40 from The Derby when Nyquist was able to spurt clear at a slightly greater distance.

I've gone from trying to beat Nyquist unsuccessfully to hoping his fever is just a minor blip and would love to see him in the Belmont Stakes starting gate where you'll likely get value odds for the first time in this triple crown series.  And a tip of the cap to both trainers O'Neill and Desormeaux for respectfully playing up this rare 3YO rivalry by showing up at the biggest races trying to prove their dominance. What a great marketing tool for racing and I'm sure the NYRA is equally appreciative.

Finally, kudos to all those in attendance at Pimlico who shattered all kinds of records in spite of the rain soaked day at Old Hilltop. I look forward to my return for next year's race to get my Preak' on!

The Belmont is shaping up as a very bettable race with a handful of serious Derby horses sitting out the Preakness to target Big Sandy as well as the Preakness top 3 finishers.

Stay tuned!

This TOSS horse may shock you - and I'm not exaggerating

Ok, so the gauntlet has been thrown to Exaggerator, sorry Desormeaux bros! I'm going big this year by tossing the clear 2nd choice in the wagering, a closing son of Curlin, coming off the most visually impressive win by any sophomore, recently bought into for a small fortune by one of the sharpest young eyes in the game Sol Kumin, and whose breeding rights purchased by the Roman fortress of WinStar Farm.  Have I lost my freaking mind?  Perhaps it was the 2nd mint julep during my Thursday "sampling" session.

Call me crazy, but the best Exaggerator will be on my tickets is 4th. Here are a few specific reasons for the knock...
1) Trainer Keith Desormeaux has stated that his charge better be last early or Kent will get an ear full. With so many other talented "dead closers," he is guaranteed to see massive traffic Saturday, unlike the 7 strung out opponents he faced in the Santa Anita Derby. After being more of a stalker type going shorter distances, they've taken back the last couple races and they have been pleased with the results. Previously, the trainer had stated he runs more like a sprinting miler, so he obviously has acknowledged concerns about the 10 furlong distance being from a Vindication mare. One easy win on the slop against overmatched foes and the tune has changed for many, but not me!

2) S-L-O-W finishing times for a closer!  Yes, the absolute times have been a notch better than other preps, as they always are with the Santa Anita strip. He was even passed back by Mor Spirit (another toss horse) in the San Felipe which is never a good sign. But consider his last furlong of SA Derby went an average :13 2/5. It was the slop, you say? Well 2 races back when he finished 3rd, his final 2.5 furlongs went in :32 1/5. EACH of these finishing times are slower than Brody's Cause, Creator, Suddenbreakingnews, Whitmore, Mo Tom (even with the severe checking) and Majesto.  Plus, many of these other horses are used to running in larger fields and have dealt with the traffic. 8-1 versus 20-1 or more on the others?  I'll pass.

3) His only 2 victories post sprinting as a juvenile were on SEALED, muddy tracks. Even if Louisville gets some rain on Derby Day, the track will likely be harrowed and a traditional surface. Sealed tracks are night and day different and some horses do not respond. To borrow a line from Seinfeld, "His father was a mudder.... His mother was a mudder!" Unless you plan on performing a rain dance come Saturday, he may regress on the dirt. Finally, Brody's Cause outfinished him for 3rd in BC Juvenile last year at a comparable class level and may be sitting on a better race.

Having said that, if Nyquist, Exaggerator and Mor Spirit all finish in the superfecta, not only will I have blown a small fortune of my own, but I'll apologize to all Californians then leave Twitter and my blog until next March.  And ya'll know how much I like to #DerbyTalk. The loser leave town match is on!!!

Happy Oaks day to all!  Better use Oaklawn's Fantasy Stakes runner-up Taxable (another Tapit for Steve Asmussen) and I'm pulling with my heart for Rachel's daughter Rachel Valentina for Stonestreet Farm. But remember, small wagers only today so we can back up the van for our Derby score!

Best of luck to all!
E

Lessons from previous triple crown series...

One of the best ways to analyze this year's Derby field is to take a look back at winning horses and spotting patterns. Along those lines, I've dusted off notes from the 2013 triple crown races and a few of my top lessons learned then are jumping off the page and should be restated here.

1) Include your favorite horses rather trying to guess a pace factor (which is out of our hands). Derby 142 presents a unique challenge in that pure speed horses are limited and most of my choices are not only closers, but "from the cloud" closers!  Rather than thinking they may not get enough pace to run at and moving up horses I don't like as much, I'm sticking with the merits of each horse hoping the jockey can make needed adjustments to get the job done. Creator is my lesson learned from this category.

2) Look at key races/competition, NOT the highest Beyer speed figs to assess quality of the field. Whether you try to beat him or choose to key him on top, there is no denying that Nyquist is the CLASS of this field! To think multiple 3YO males have Beyer or Equibase speed figures greater than him is absurd. He has also beat every "key horse" angle going back to last year's BC Juvenile over Swipe and Brody's Cause. Interestingly, Brody's Cause is the next "proven" horse with his 3rd place BC effort finishing ahead of Exaggerator and others, yet his 3YO speed fig is the lowest of all major contenders. Brody is a real threat in my book! Also worth noting is Destin's two very average losses in Fair Ground's Lecomte Stakes (where a clean trip Mo Tom easy winner) and Gulfstream allowance race before reeling off two fast wins at Tampa Bay. Can he duplicate those efforts elsewhere against better?

3) Young sires (1st or 2nd crops) have great success throughout triple crown series, including Pioneerof the Nile's Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in his 2nd crop last year. This year we have a classic battle shaping up between new (Uncle Mo) and old (Tapit) sires. However, since over 60% of TC race winners of the last two decades hailed from the Mr. Prospector sire lines (mainly via Fappiano), this shapes up as much as a battle of sire power as it does for the individual horses. My vote is that Tapit finally breaks through with a Derby winner. While he comes from the Seattle Slew line, he is by an Unbridled mare which is close enough Mr. P for me!

4) Do not hold grudges against a horse, jockey or trainer.  This will be a tough one for me this year since I'm not an Uncle Mo or Repole fan (recall his disrespectful comment to other Derby owners that Uncle Mo was "five to seven lengths better than any of those horses" upon being scratched from the Derby). I'm not necessarily doubting the Uncle Mo's on distance either but Into Mischief also loaded the starting gate with his early runners, yet Vyjack, Goldencents and Vicar's in Trouble all came up short at Churchill Downs with a lot of hype. Nor am I crazy about several rides by Luis Quinonez aboard Suddenbreakingnews and other closing horses at Oaklawn this spring. Yes, this rule will surely test my patience!

5) Forgive one bad race, but not two. This was a painful lesson when Bluegrass Cat entered the Derby  at huge odds (2nd place finish) off a leg weary 4th place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes. Mohaymen would be the candidate to draw a line through the FL Derby, especially on a sticky race track. Several horses recently bounced back from a previous poor finish (Brody's Cause, SBN, Creator). Where does Mo Tom fit into this?  Were those bad races or toss races due to horrible trips? The way he's working at Churchill and with his back class, he'll be hard for me to leave off relevant spots in my exotics.  Nyquist, Gun Runner, Exaggerator, Mor Spirit and Outwork fall into the consistent category with solid runs each time they face the starter. However, some of these fail to wow with the turn of foot expected by a Derby winner. 

Hope this helps your Derby handicapping!  Final analysis will be out following post position draw, so stay tuned!
Eric