The GR I Blue Grass

[TJ]

A full field has shown up to try and knock out at least the bottom two that are currently in the Derby field, Vinceremos and Harry's Holiday. Here's the field of synthetic spoilers, good news is this will be the last time the Blue Grass will be run over a synthetic surface. Note that Vinceremos and Harry's Holiday won't be knocked out without a fight....both are in the field:>) If they can hold on to their position next two out will be Cairo Prince and Uncle Sigh. PP's will be posted as soon as they are put online. TJ

11th RACE. (C10) Post 5:45PM The 90th Running of Stakes
The Toyota Blue Grass (Grade I)
$750,000
PURSE $750,000 9 Furlongs
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
1 ASSERTING BEAR (L) '11 C 123 Wilson, E Bear Stables, Ltd. Baker, R
2 EXTRASEXYHIPPZSTER (L) '11 C 123 Pimentel, J Kirwan, M G and Hipps, E Trombetta, M
3 PABLO DEL MONTE (L) '11 C 123 Espinoza, V Magnier, S, Smith, D, Tabor, M B and Ward, W Ward, W
4 HARRY'S HOLIDAY (L) '11 C 123 Napravnik, R Skychai Racing LLC, Sand Dollar Stable LLC, Raymond,T and Wagner, Maker,M
5 BOBBY'S KITTEN (L) '11 C 123 Castellano, J Ramsey, Kenneth L and Sarah K Brown, C
6 COLTIMUS PRIME (L) '11 C 123 Garcia, A Cabernet Racing Stables Nixon, J
7 CASIGUAPO (L) '11 C 123 Maragh, R All American Horses LLC Morales, M
8 DANCE WITH FATE (L) '11 C 123 Nakatani, C Alesia, S, Bran Jam Stable and Ciaglia Racing LLC Eurton, P
9 BIG BAZINGA (L) '11 G 123 Hernandez, Jr, B Derby Dreamers Racing Stable Vassilieva, K
10 SO LONESOME (L) '11 G 123 Rocco, Jr., J Schuler, P Bush, T
11 COASTLINE (L) '11 C 123 Elliott, S Oxley, J Casse, M
12 VINCEREMOS (L) '11 C 123 Prado, E WinStar Farm LLC and Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC Pletcher, T
13 MEDAL COUNT (L) '11 C 123 Albarado, R Spendthrift Farm LLC Romans, D
14 GALA AWARD (L) '11 C 123 Velazquez, J Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick and Magnier, Susan Pletcher, T
--Also Eligibles--
15 DIVINE OATH (L) '11 C 123 Leparoux, J Let's Go Stable Pletcher, T
Blinkers On: So Lonesome

[Georgerz]

I hope Casiguapo does well, as some of his connections are from Colombia.

[Cree]

I like Medal Count, Harry's Holiday, and Asserting Bear. In no order. I never get the Blue Grass right.

[TJ]

Here's the past performances for the Blue Grass. TJ
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... m3=1661550

[TJ]

Edgar Prado injured in a training accident, Lezcano was also involved...Prado will be out at least a month leaving Vinceremos in need of a rider. TJ

[TJ]

Very tough race....but Pletcher used this race last year with Palace Malice to earn the needed points to get in the Derby. He's out to save Vinceremos' spot in the Derby this time. Asserting Bear got in trouble last time and should have won, he was rolling at the finish. Coastline is a poly specialist. Bobby's Kitten should take to the synthetic. Extrasexyhippzster worked amazing for this race over the Keeneland surface and Pablo Del Monte never lost a race at Keeneland. TJ

Vinceremos
Asserting Bear
Coastline

Long Shots:
Extrasexyhippzster
Pablo Del Monte

[Bill from WA]

I think Asserting Bear has a real shot.

[TJ]

Dance With Fate and Medal Count get clearance for their Kentucky Derby run....Knocking out Vinceremos and Harry's Holiday. TJ

Dance With Fate
Medal Count
Pablo Del Monte
Big Bazinga

[Cree]

Both the winner and 2nd place horse strike me as turf/poly horses, not dirt horses.
The winner ran well, but he's been beaten by Tamarando a few times, and look how that horse did last time.
I think the 2nd place horse might be the better shot of the 2 in the Derby.

[TJ]

Both the winner and 2nd place horse strike me as turf/poly horses, not dirt horses.
The winner ran well, but he's been beaten by Tamarando a few times, and look how that horse did last time.
I think the 2nd place horse might be the better shot of the 2 in the Derby.

Hi Cree,
I agree with you about these two horses. I'm fairly certain Romans will run his horse in the Derby. I always thought he mismanaged Dullahan, when he tried to make him a dirt horse. Though I believe Medal Count is more versatile then Dullahan was. I think the trainer of the winner, Peter Eurton, is more realistic about running his horse on dirt and may not go to Kentucky. At least that's his current thought...but Derby fever does cloud ones judgement:>) TJ

[TJ]

Blue Grass winner Dance With Fate, received a 97 beyer for his impressive performance. Replay below. TJ
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA

[TJ]

The connections of Dance With Fate, may now be catching Derby Fever. They will not make their decision for a week. TJ
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... -derby-bid

[TJ]

Dance With Fate will run in the Derby. Trainer made the right decision right after the race...then caught Derby Fever and decided to run. This is a very nice horse and I do hope he can handle the CD surface....just hate to see trainers go against what they previously though was in the horses best interest.....win or loose. TJ

[ct2346]

Dance With Fate will run in the Derby. Trainer made the right decision right after the race...then caught Derby Fever and decided to run. This is a very nice horse and I do hope he can handle the CD surface....just hate to see trainers go against what they previously though was in the horses best interest.....win or loose. TJ

The trainer also has the responsibility to do what the owner wants. In this case, we're talking about running in the Derby. If the owner wants to run, the trainer is going to run. I've had horses that can't run a lick on dirt. But after winning the Blue Grass I'd be probing the trainer for lots of details on training over the dirt vs training on the AWS. Two Step Salsa doesn't strike me as dirt-adverse...but you never know. I'm rooting for him and think he has a shot.

[TJ]

Dance With Fate will run in the Derby. Trainer made the right decision right after the race...then caught Derby Fever and decided to run. This is a very nice horse and I do hope he can handle the CD surface....just hate to see trainers go against what they previously though was in the horses best interest.....win or loose. TJ

The trainer also has the responsibility to do what the owner wants. In this case, we're talking about running in the Derby. If the owner wants to run, the trainer is going to run. I've had horses that can't run a lick on dirt. But after winning the Blue Grass I'd be probing the trainer for lots of details on training over the dirt vs training on the AWS. Two Step Salsa doesn't strike me as dirt-adverse...but you never know. I'm rooting for him and think he has a shot.

Hi ct,
He is a very nice horse and was handled perfectly to win the Blue Grass. I would imagine the trainer and owner talked it over and came up with the same theory as you...he's not dirt adverse and I agree with you. Though the trainer isn't as impressed with his horses dirt ability and he so stated. The Derby comes once in a horses career and I guess when the smoke clears, it's a no brainer to run? I'm glad the question of "will they or won't they handle the dirt" is eliminated after this season. TJ