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And here are the horses listed in post position order......................with a few comments....
1.) Vicar’s In Trouble
----- the Rosie effect, but definitely do not this horse in the 1 post
----- think Rosie has to have a torrid first 1/4 to try and get him out fast , which will be his downfall and as much as I would like to see him wearing the roses ( Roses for Rosie magazine covers everywhere ), think he will be in trouble turning for home
2.) Harry’s Holiday
----- only thing I like about him is he has done well at Churchill.................that is the only thing
----- think he may be 80-1 come Saturday, so I guess he will be a toss
3.) Uncle Sigh
----- just not getting a good feeling about him either, could he be the surprise longshot to hit the board
----- I believe you should throw out his poor performance in the Wood
----- think he will be out fast with the pace bunch
4.) Danza
----- looks like his pedigree is one of sprinter speed over miler stamina
----- just do not know what I want to do with this one yet
5.) California Chrome ( will definitely include in my exotics )
------ he sits atop my list of rankings, so I have to include him in my wagers
------ Danza on one side and Samraat on the other............will he be squeezed in at the start ?
------ I just have a tough time seeing him run his race here, and think he will not have the charge left when asked, but crazy not to include him on some exotic tickets
6.) Samraat
----- think his pedigree and running style indicate that 10f is too much though his beyers have improved
----- has done all of his racing in NY
------ have begun to like him again after watching and re-watching and re-watching the prep videos, tough fighter
7.) We Miss Artie
----- don’t think he should be considered as a threat at all, one of my tosses
8.) General A Rod
----- always appears to be there contesting the lead, and if he does this in the Derby, will be his downfall, so he has to sit
----- will he and Wildcat Red be setting the pace for this monster
----- has not won a graded stakes race
9.) Vinceremos
----- this is one of Pletcher’s second stringers, so should be worth a look
----- one disastrous race, but other races did well
----- another toss for me
10.) Wildcat Red
----- fought along with General A Rod through the Florida preps, where the surface was kind to his style
----- will be fighting for the lead from the start , and will he be able to hold on
----- do like how he fought back after being passed in the stretch of the Fla Derby though
11.) Hoppertunity ( one of my top choices )
----- has improving speed figures, could finish in the money as he has improved in each of his races
----- is the only horse in this field which will not be physically 3 years old until after the Derby ( DOB 5/7/2011 )
12.) Dance With Fate
---- one of the Blue Grass horses, who can sit of the pace and make that strong late move
----- his beyer numbers have improved, but needs to get triple digits to win this race
13.) Chitu
----- his speed figuresbeyers have improved , could hit the board
----- has to come off the pace instead of pressing though
14.) Medal Count ( will definitely include in my exotics )
----- has the pedigree and running style to be competitive in the Derby and if he trains well and likes the surface ( which I believe he does ), will be running down the stretch passing some tired horses
15.) Tapiture
----- think his pedigree will not let him get this distance, but he has finished in the money in all 3 starts at Churchill
----- could have topped out in Arkansas
16.) Intense Holiday ( one of my top choices )
----- if his jockey could settle him in the back of the pack , think he has a great chance to hit the board, and maybe pull off the upset
----- the ‘hot’ derby pace ( think something similar to last year ) will suit him fine
-----been working great at Churchill
----- highest Late Pace number of this bunch
17.) Commanding Curve ( will definitely include in my exotics )
----- he is an improving colt that may hit the board like his stablemate Golden Soul did last year
----- seems to be getting better, and his beyers are improving
----- could be running at the end, when the others are coming back to the pack
18.) Candy Boy ( will definitely include in my exotics )
----- needs to set off the pace and not try to run with the early speed as he did in the S A Derby
----- think G Stevens will have this horse in a great position to run at the leaders down the long stretch
----- he looks better and better each day and his works have been super, could be the upset winner
19.) Ride On Curlin
----- of course, the Borel factor ( and has tested the Churchill strip )
----- how will Borel get to the rail though............will he just lean in and go to the back of the pack, or will he try to weave thru to the first turn ?
20.) Wicked Strong ( one of my top choices but ? )
----- has the pedigree and running style that sets up perfectly and think he will flourish down the stretch, has a great late kick
----- his trainer did say he was a very tired horse after the Wood though
----- I am worried about this 20 post, as he sometimes gets unsettled and distracted easy, and will have some crowd issues........
Will be posting my friends and I 'monopoly wagers' and tickets on Friday.......................be well all..............
hno: Hoppertunity has been scratched.......................Pablo is now in................
