It's Derby Time

[TJ]

Well, we've been following all the Derby preps and had a lot of fun along the way. Now it's time to get serious. We could still get some last minute scratches and I understand they will be adding a larger also eligible list to this years Derby so no one gets shut out via last minute scratches. So the final Derby field may not be finalized till the morning of. Guess it's time to start our "cipherin" and get a head start with the past performance studying. Below is the current Derby field in order of total derby points....entries and post positions will be drawn Wednesday. Click on the below link for a head start in reading through all those 20+ past performances:>) Good luck picking your Derby winner. TJ

DERBY 140
1 California Chrome Art Sherman 150 $782,250
2 Vicar's in Trouble Mike Maker 120 $760,000
3 Dance With Fate Peter Eurton 108 $600,000
4 Wicked Strong Jimmy Jerkens 102 $630,000
5 Samraat Rick Violette Jr. 100 $640,000
6 Danza Todd Pletcher 100 $620,000
7 Hoppertunity Bob Baffert 95 $576,000
8 Intense Holiday Todd Pletcher 93 $527,500
9 Wildcat Red Jose Garrofalo 90 $610,000
10 We Miss Artie Todd Pletcher 60 $544,000
11 Ride on Curlin Billy Gowan 55 $354,387
12 Chitu Bob Baffert 54 $440,000
13 Tapiture Steve Asmussen 52 $470,378
14 General a Rod Mike Maker 40 $240,000
15 Medal Count Dale Romans 40 $226,500
16 Candy Boy John Sadler 30 $380,000
17 Uncle Sigh Gary Contessa 24 $180,000
18 Vinceremos Todd Pletcher 20 $191,666
19 Harry's Holiday Mike Maker 20 $152,622
20 Commanding Curve Dallas Stewart 20 $140,000

Current AE's:
21 Pablo Del Monte Wesley Ward 20 $102,000
22 Social Inclusion Manny Azpurua 20 $90,000
23 Big Bazinga Katerina Vassilieva 14 $92,149

Derby Past Performances:
http://www.brisnet.com/brisnet_promos/D ... ntsPPs.pdf

[Cree]

Thanks for posting that TJ.

[TJ]

Thanks for posting that TJ.

Hi Cree,
You're welcome, if I can track down the DRF format I will post it...but DRF doesn't want to give anything away these days, not even racing news:>) Unfortunately, they've been getting a lot of rain at CD the last day or so and 60% chance of more rain later today (Tuesday)? Showers are foretasted through Derby day. Although they listed the track fast for works today, when General A Rod posted his final Derby work, a 1/2 in 49.40. Yesterday a couple Derby works were under heavy rains and actually had to close the track due to lightning right after Tapiture breezed through the storm getting his 1/2 in 50 :>) The weather may be a factor for Derby 140 and it kind of takes away from a Derby winners success....such as Super Saver's win over a sloppy sealed surface, never to be seen again with 3 more races after his Derby win run over a fast track. I hope we get a good weather window Derby day and the track comes up fast. it will be better for the winner and one less variable to deal with:>) TJ

[jagger]

According to the Weather Channel: Partly Cloudy, 68/49 w/10% chance of Precipitation.

[TJ]

According to the Weather Channel: Partly Cloudy, 68/49 w/10% chance of Precipitation.

Hi Jagger,
That sounds good...let's hope the Weather Channel can handicap the weather better then I can handicap the Derby:>) TJ

[jagger]

According to the Weather Channel: Partly Cloudy, 68/49 w/10% chance of Precipitation.

Hi Jagger,
That sounds good...let's hope the Weather Channel can handicap the weather better then I can handicap the Derby:>) TJ

I wonder if they spend as much time handicapping the weather as we do the Derby? I think they bring more science into their predictions. I do the best I can but when it comes to horseracing, I'm afraid what little science there is can be negated by so many uncontrolable factors.

[Cree]

The draw is being very helpful: Vicar's In Trouble post 1 and Wicked Strong post 20. Sorry boys, that's going to be a high mountain to climb.

[Bill from WA]

That was a horrible draw for Rosie and Vicar's In Trouble. I think it hurts her more than the 20 draw for Wicked Strong. Not ideal but with his running style, I think he might be OK.

Bill

[Cree]

Absolutely, I agree.
I don't think Vicar's has a chance now.

[jagger]

Vicar was always in trouble.

[geowarrior]

Hoppertunity is out, foot bruise. Looks like Pablo Del Monte is in at post 20, though not completely confirmed.