mehile wrote:50 points in theory could be enough to get him onto the gate but that's saying he has to win the Sunland. It seems to me it would make more sense to wait for one of the higher point races but I'm no trainer and like you said Baffert has to worry about setting his charges against each other.
Hi Mehile,
What you say makes sense and as a trainer Baffert has very few options due to Justify's late arrival. Once again I have no idea what's in Baffert's head and he is holding his cards close to his vest, not letting the competition know what direction he will take. The Sunland Derby most likely would be too quick a return to the races...so the 100 point options will be the only preps left available to him. It would be a shame if Justify found himself in trouble during the running of his next race and doesn't earn enough points to run in the Derby.
In any case we have more cipherin' to do:>)....just 5 days to go until the Rebel Stakes. Baffert might pit two of his own against each other in here, Solomini and Mourinho. Pletcher has his 'late developing' 3YO (Magnum Moon) as a likely starter who, like Justify, didn't race as a 2YO and has the same credentials....an easy maiden and allowance win (though not nearly as breathtaking:>). TJ