The GR I Arkansas Derby

[TJ]

Gary Stevens is on board the highly regarded Bayern. Shades of Bodemeister who also used the Arkansas Derby to gain his spot in the Derby. He comes complete with the curse of Apollo, but a legitimate contender nonetheless...if he's recovered from a bruised quarter which kept him out of the San Felipe. TJ

11th Race. (C10)Post 6:07PM STAKES
The 78th Running of THE ARKANSAS DERBY (Grade I)
Purse $1,000,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles THREE YEAR OLDS.
1 DANZA (L) Pletcher, T Bravo, J 118
2 KNOCK EM FLAT (L) R46 Von Hemel DK Quinonez, L 118
3 TAPITURE (L) 0 Asmussen, S Rosario, J 122
4 RIDE ON CURLIN (L) R3 Gowan, W Court, J 118
5 THUNDERGRAM (L) R41 Casse, M Arroyo, Jr., N 118
6 COMMISSIONER (L) Pletcher, T Smith, M 118
7 CONQUEST TITAN (L) Casse, M Borel, C 122
8 BAYERN (L) Baffert, B Stevens, G 118
9 STRONG MANDATE (L) 0 Lukas, D Saez, L 122
Blinkers On: Thundergram
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... m3=1750166

[Cree]

I like Tapiture over Bayern and Ride On Curlin.

[TJ]

Bayern
Tapiture
Commissioner
Strong Mandate

[TJ]

Danza and Ride On Curlin get their Derby slot. Knocking out Cairo Prince and Uncle Sigh. TJ
Danza
Ride On Curlin
Bayern
Tapiture

[TJ]

My error, Ride On Curlin all ready secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby before todays Arkansas Derby....so that leaves Cairo Prince number 20 on the list. Very happy he retained his spot, as he certainly deserves a chance to run in the Derby. TJ

[Bill from WA]

Great run by Danza. I have been very high on Street Boss as a sire. This guy looks like the real deal.

[TJ]

Great run by Danza. I have been very high on Street Boss as a sire. This guy looks like the real deal.

Hi Bill,
Danza was one of Pletcher's best kept secrets:>) He did run a nice race and that field wasn't too shabby. Danza's 1/2 brother Majestic Harbor is having his best year ever (at age 6) after being sent to California (SA). He ran 2nd in the GR II San Pascual, 4th in the GR II San Antonio Stakes, then won the first stakes race of his career going 1 1/2 miles in the GR III Tokyo City Cup Stakes. TJ

[TJ]

Danza received a 102 beyer in his stunning Arkansas Derby performance. It's even more impressive when compared to Will Take Charge' win in the Oaklawn Handicap just a race before, who received a 103 beyer after running his mile and an eighth in 1:49.55. Danza's time for the 1 1/8th miles was 1:49.68 seconds....13/100's of a second slower then one of the top handicap horses in the country. Pletcher used this prep before with Super Saver, who went on to win the Derby after his Arkansas Derby win. Race replay below. TJ
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA