Wayne: Run that filly in the Derby

[the little guy]

Originally Posted by Spalding No!

I'll wait for someone to interview McPeek ahead of the Kentucky Derby.

He might be using that race as a prep for Royal Ascot.

Might be?

[SandyW]

We better start talking about Brad Cox's "ZOZOS" as a major derby contender.

Watch for him at Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Derby, and then the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 2. to get his points for the derby.

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by the little guy

Might be?

I wasn't certain about Royal Ascot.

McPeek has been known to target races at Baden-Baden and Longchamp, too...

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by SandyW

We better start talking about Brad Cox's "ZOZOS" as a major derby contender.

Watch for him at Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Derby, and then the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 2. to get his points for the derby.

Looked a lot better in his second start than in his debut. He'll be coming off lasix for the first time if he runs in either race.

On strict form he beat Barossa by the same margin as Slow Down Andy, who tanked in the Risen Star.

Barossa and Elusive Target (with whom he dead-heated in Zozos' allowance win) are entered back in a short field allowance at OP this weekend. Neither is the ML favorite.

[Someday Silent]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I normally don't take these early NY horses seriously anymore. In fact, they are often so bad relative to the top tier if a top trainer brings his horse to NY I take it as a lack of confidence in his own horse to take on the serious 3yos. But even if Morello winds up not being a Derby horse, he looks like a legitimately good horse to me.

I think Asmussen is taking his time (as much as one can on the TC trail) and building the horse up step by step. The Gotham was a nice way to stretch out Morello a little more and get Derby points. I certainly agree that Morello will end up being a very good horse in the future.

[Someday Silent]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I sure hope the lack of talk about SMILE HAPPY means most think he's not as much of a major player.

I thought his race in the Risen Star was excellent.

Of course they would have preferred to win. However, to me it looked like a perfect prep.

McPeek has said it's either the Florida Derby or the Bluegrass next.

IMO he's a MAJOR Derby player.

I want to like Smile Happy, and he's done very little wrong in his short career, but I'm having trouble getting really excited about him. This is despite the fact that he beat a horse that I like (Classic Causeway) last fall.

[BarchCapper]

Originally Posted by SandyW

We better start talking about Brad Cox's "ZOZOS" as a major derby contender.

Watch for him at Fair Grounds in the Louisiana Derby, and then the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 2. to get his points for the derby.

I'm thinking you're meaning "OR the Arkansas Derby". Louisiana Derby is March 26th, just the week before. The interval that used to be there is no more.

[Brisk Urging]

D.Wayne has confirmed she will run in the Ark

[Someday Silent]

Originally Posted by Brisk Urging

D.Wayne has confirmed she will run in the Ark

With the Arkansas Derby being moved up to April 2, the spacing of races might benefit Secret Oath. Then again, I also enjoyed being a kid when the Lexington at Keeneland was a legit Derby prep, not a consolation prize and/or Preakness prep.

[SandyW]

ZOZOS goes in the Louisiana Derby on Sat. March 26th.
We will see how good he is.
Brad Cox is very high on this horse.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by SandyW

ZOZOS goes in the Louisiana Derby on Sat. March 26th.
We will see how good he is.
Brad Cox is very high on this horse.

I'm VERY high on him too. I was hoping he'd run at Oaklawn.

We'll see how the filly fares.

I'm sure the talent is there.

It's the intangibles that have me worried.

She's found her way into trouble on two quiet Saturdays in 6 horse fields vs girls.

April 2 it'll be 65,000 people (including the infield) which she hasn't experienced and a field of at least 11 other BOYS!

Tall order.

I'll be pulling for her.

Can you imagine what the 5 weeks leading up to the Derby will be like with The Coach bringing another filly to Louisville?

Could be just what the game needs for obvious reasons.

[mountainman]

The Cox I want stock in is a 3 year old filly named Interstatedaydream who won her comebacker in super impressive fashion at OP (two saturdays back?) .

Not only was it her first route, but she scored with real authority despite having been steered a bit wide on the first turn and and strong armed behind her 1/2 stablemate for much of the race.

[the little guy]

I imagine given the timing she shows up next in the Ashland.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by mountainman

The Cox I want stock in is a 3 year old filly named Interstatedaydream who won her comebacker in super impressive fashion at OP (two saturdays back?) .

Not only was it her first route, but she scored with real authority despite having been steered a bit wide on the first turn and and strong armed behind her 1/2 stablemate for much of the race.

Good call with how she was ridden.

Spot on.

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by SandyW

ZOZOS goes in the Louisiana Derby on Sat. March 26th.
We will see how good he is.
Brad Cox is very high on this horse.

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I'm VERY high on him too. I was hoping he'd run at Oaklawn.

Louisiana Derby this Saturday registers w/ me as a 'must see' race.


Probably a good test to learn whether Zozos is projected to G1 3yo company, as well as the more established treat of getting to see whether Epicenter continues to move forward as what has already been looking like a very solid Kentucky Derby pace presence.

Zozos is perhaps the most interesting betting prospect, as if he meets/exceeds the hype, there's a fair chance that it will be in tracking style and then outdueling or pulling-away, late.

If that style in fact plays out, it is not likely to 'bury' either out of the exacta (unless Zozos is a fraud), so that horses like Call me Midnight and maybe Rattle N Roll (or even Dallas Stewart's 30-1 Curly Tail's attempt to bottom a Su.) are less interesting in their overlay for board placings vs. the slightly low ml of Pletcher's Pioneer of Medina.

Zozos ml is 8-1 which is at lowest 5th choice (three horses listed at 8-1ml). Considering Epicenter is 7-5 and will be the clear chalk, if Zozos is the goods to start running faster races, the Doubles, Multis and board will reflect that. In that case I'd guess he'd be at least as low as about 2nd/3rd choice. (If he's 4th or 5th choice, I'd consider that a bit 'cold' in spite of the ml).