Quote:
Originally Posted by f2tornado
Yulong Warrior could be a good one as well. Looking forward to the race as it is one I have had good luck playing in recent years. There are some well bred horses in the mix and perhaps the best chance in years to do some damage in Louisville.
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This year's prospective field doesn't look much different from any other given year.
You have the obligatory streaking Godolphin horse that couldn't make a dent in substandard races in Europe but suddenly blossoms at Meydan (Gold Town), the UAE Oaks winner (Rayya), a couple of Japanese starters (Taiki Ferveur and Ruggero), a few second-tier Coolmore runners (Mendelssohn, Seahenge, and Threeandfourpence), and Grade 3-type North American horse (Reride).
We will see what happens this year, but the last 3 years have produced Thunder Snow--a solid Group 1 3yo--who unfortunately refused in the KY Derby, and also Lani and Mubtaahij who at the very least made minor dents in the Triple Crown (which is saying a lot for horses from the UAE Derby). I would say even Epicharis last year rated a chance in a free-for-all race like the Belmont Stakes, but obviously he was physically impaired and did not start.
Perhaps the best UAE Derby was the second running when ex-pats Express Tour and Street Cry dueled it out down the stretch with the Chilean champion and future NA stalwart Lido Palace further behind.
Street Cry, with a world of talent, unfortunately went down with injury (he validated his reputation with some monstrous efforts the following year).
Express Tour did start in the KY Derby. For a horse that was more a miler type, he put in a decent effort. He actually matches Point Given's ill-fated early bid into the teeth of a wicked pace leaving the backstretch, running alongside the favorite as a clear 3rd at the top of the stretch behind the loose Congaree before wilting the rest of the way.
