That's what I was hoping for in American Pharoah, but the horse "lucked" into a bunch of paceless races for the most part and he didn't come out to race at 4. A lot of the reasons for those are the current state of both the racing and the breeding industry.

I'll settle for the next Congaree.

When is my next opportunity to bet against a 1/9 chalk?

If we was Seattle Slew he would have gotten totally left, rushed up, drew off, and people would have said he beat nobody. ;)


Second start: Away badly; rushed on a totally dead rail, won for fun.

If only they would run this one like Slew - hard, fast, and often.
Today's racing schedule pretty much prevents great horse from emerging, IMHO. That's why we get one at a time nowadays.

Hello world, losing a race now and then is not the end of the horse.

You can't say that Justify is not on some folks radar after posting such a razor sharp 104 Beyer (and 131 TFUS) figure on his debut on Feb. 18th at the Great Race Place. It is notable however that he hasn't accumulated any genuine "Derby points" at this stage in the game. I don't know if he can or will eventually become the Wiseguy horse as we are quickly approaching the Derby with the passing of each day, but, I would like to consider him to be the "Stupendous Yappi" (from X Files) fame under the radar type pick for Derby 2018.... :)

Raced 17 days ago and already has 2 5f works recorded since. Race mustn't have taken much out of him.

I watched his latest, looked very good.

Here it is, actually:

https://www.xbtv.com/video/workout/j...ta-anita-park/

His workmate is no slouch either.

Thank you CJ!! Full of zest and vigor. Really love how he moves. I truly think that you are going to see some Big things from this horse.. Very Nice!! :)

Sunland Park
 

I heard Sunland Park is the target for Justify
50 points to the winner - plenty to get into the Derby.

Staying away from the Big boys and possible derby points would probably make sense and getting what might be a little bit easier field but the problem after that is that with the date of the Sunland being 3/25 would they run him again with 6 weeks before the Derby or go off 6 weeks break.

going to run in an allowance race this Sunday. then staying home and maybe eye the Santa Anita Derby.

They did make a rider change. A bit surprised.

Especially when you consider the botched rides for the similarly-owned Abel Tasman that theoretically could have cost her the Eclipse Award.

However, when you are dealing with 3 (never mind 1) big owner groups with a stake in the horse, you have to figure that at least one of their genius racing managers came up with the demand for a "name" rider.

Well said Spalding No:

DVD handled him perfectly in his debut. There is no reason to believe that he isn't capable of handling him in pretty much any scenario that he may come across, however, there is probably a handful of hands in the veritable pot... :confused:

Baffert has been a bit critical with some of his comments about rides the past few weeks.

I am not big on rider switches to big name riders. I still remember Bailey trying to get on both Azeri and Vindication. One worked, one didnt. I feel like there can be some karma with that stuff as well.

Riding for Baffert is tough work, you are expected to work 5-8 horses for him yet he can get upset enough to boot you right quick.

I found this race so interesting I made it the one I put up analysis for at the Santa Anita web site: http://www.santaanita.com/author/ellisstarr/

Did even Apollo not race in January of his 3-year-old season?

Goodness gracious DVD En Fuego!! 4 for 4 in first four races at Santa Anita today... :headbanger:

Catches a pretty decent field for a 1st level allowance, at least pre-scatches

1st time versus winners
1st time around 2 turns
off track
field loaded with speed
likely gets caught wide

1/9...seems like a good spot to take a stab against, likely in a pick 3 or double should I find something in the other races.

Tipped the scale at 1258 lbs..Massive colt...

Looks like a monster next his work mate Nero.

Good workout in 135 and 3

I thought the :4: pulled up at first.

Goodness this horse can just "Cruise" along like nobody's business. What a specimen of a horse.... :headbanger:

Just a note of interest. The groom of Justify also had American Pharaoh and Arrogate.

Hey guys, I saw a 3yo today, his name is Justify and it's too early to tell, but he may be a pretty good colt. Wanted to start a thread, but saw this had already been started...

Is it too early or premature to say that there isn't a faster three year old in the country currently running than this guy? I hope that he can just stay healthy and sound so we may get the opportunity to see him do some special things.

He has run really fast twice now, not only was that final time quick but it was also a very fast pace.

That being said he has outclassed and had two PT in a row, compared to say McKinzie and BoltDOro who have both had some adversity.

Just like the track announcer said. “The most talented horse to race this weekend”.

I think he was posing the question.

If he was . To me the answer is yes.

Today's trip only looked perfect because he is so fast IMO. He was three wide all the way around the first turn when the pace was (I think) fast. Those are the kinds of horses I like to bet back when they don't finish well.

Where will he be headed in search of those valuable Derby Points? Will he be venturing out to Sunland Park for the Sunland Derby on March 25th, or, will he be staying at home for the Santa Anita Derby? Any thoughts?....:)

I would think SA or Arkansas Derby. Sunland is too close IMO.

I agree. I saw the first turn and said to myself "no longer 1/9", but it didn't seem to phase him vs. these.

That said, it wasn't the toughest race. The 'loose' leader never looked comfortable or particularly scary, and Shivermetimbers? the other E/P didn't exactly respond to move with him.

He (obviously) looks great. The way the Derby has been run since the point system weeded out some of the sprint stakes qualifiers, he doesn't appear to have to really prove a lot of versatility. He's not yet run in a stakes race, but in terms of ability, he looks like a Derby favorite who should win or contend unless there is an extreme pace meltdown.

The story was he is scheduled to hang around for the Santa Anita Derby. Be interesting now to see who ships out to avoid him.

Baffert made it sound like he was shipping Mckenzie for his next race

can i get an amen?
 

Mourinho to Sunland Derby :)


anyone? anyone?

probable for the Rebel, but so is Solomini. Doesnt seem likely Baffert would run them both

Looked impressive beating a short field of non winners other than maiden. He may or may not have Smith next time. Zero points, Storm Cat curse, Apollo curse, and ended up the Derby favorite in Pool 3 (excluding the field). Odd.