Pedigree Query

It's the first of the 100 point Derby Preps...Worth 100-40-20-10 across the board, going 1 1/8th miles at the Fair Grounds this Saturday. The last winner of this race (who won the Derby) was Grindstone for D. Wayne Lukas in 1996. Bit of a drought since, although recently HOY Gun Runner won the race in 2016 and finishing 3rd in that years Derby. It's an interesting betting race with top notch connections signed on to give it a try. Below are the entries and PP's. TJ

11th Race. Post 5:21PM
The 105th Running of The LOUISIANA DERBY (Grade II)
Purse $1,000,000 Guaranteed 1 1/8 Miles FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
1 BRAVAZO (B) Lukas, D Stevens, G 122
2 NOBLE INDY (B) Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 122
3 MARMELLO (B) R61 Yanakov, M Gilligan, J 122
4 GIVEMEAMINIT (B) R44 Stewart, D Castellano, J 122
5 RETIREMENT FUND (B) E64 Asmussen, S Bridgmohan, S 122
6 HYNDFORD(S) (B) Pletcher, T Bravo, J 122
7 SNAPPER SINCLAIR (B) E1 Asmussen, S Ortiz, J 122
8 LONE SAILOR (B) R56 Amoss, T Graham, J 122
9 MY BOY JACK (B) Desormeaux, J Desormeaux, K 122
10 DARK TEMPLAR (B) R56 Walsh, B Geroux, F 122
Blinkers On: Noble Indy

Click on Noble Indy: http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatc ... ummary.htm

Bravazo
Noble Indy
Givemeamint
Snapper Sinclair

My Boy Jack
Noble Indy
Bravazo
Hyndford

Here's the finish:
Noble Indy
Lone Sailor
My Boy Jack
Givemeamint

Hey TJ

That was a strange LA Derby...

1. Winner had a perfect tracking trip
2. The one I liked, Snapper Sinclair, got carried 5 wide on 1st turn BUT
3. Was that mile time for real - 1:33 and change?
4. Final time 1:50 and change - crawling home in 27?
5. My Boy Jack - best move I've seen in a Derby prep in years coming on the far turn, blew it, then hung in the stretch as they crawl home? He looked rank after the break as well. Could have a big engine that boy.

Is that what I saw?

jm

Yes. Wow. My Boy Jack just missed with a huge sustained run from out of the clouds (and in the stands?!?).
Noble Indy had it pretty easy, but that was a much more mature effort this time. I don’t think he will like a race like the Derby, but we shall see.

Joltman wrote:Hey TJ

That was a strange LA Derby...

1. Winner had a perfect tracking trip
2. The one I liked, Snapper Sinclair, got carried 5 wide on 1st turn BUT
3. Was that mile time for real - 1:33 and change?
4. Final time 1:50 and change - crawling home in 27?
5. My Boy Jack - best move I've seen in a Derby prep in years coming on the far turn, blew it, then hung in the stretch as they crawl home? He looked rank after the break as well. Could have a big engine that boy.

Is that what I saw?

jm

Hi Jolt,
The winner's trip wasn't perfect, he did hit the side of the gate coming out of there, bumped with Marmellow, seemed rank and green early on. He's a work in progress and could continue to improve since they added blinkers for the first time in the LA Derby. Though I doubt he is WinStar's main Derby hope since they also have interests in Audible, New York Hope, Quip and some other horse named Justify:>)
The fractions actually were :22, :46, 1:11.2, 1:37.1, 1:50.1 in the LA Derby. When compared to the older stake race on the card won by Travers winner Good Samaritan (also owned in partnership by WinStar), they stack up well... :23.4, :48, 1:11.4, 1:37.1, 1:49.4. The fraction comparison does show the speed dual the LA Derby winner got in with Marmello. I think it bodes well for Noble Indy's talent and improvement since he had every right to throw in the towel, especially since two strong closers rolled at him late and couldn't get by him.
My Boy Jack went 8 wide causing him to hang a bit the last 1/8th....it's an exciting running style, but he's gonna need a lot of racing luck to pull off a run like that in the Kentucky Derby. TJ

Winner was the best and as you note, TJ, had every right to throw in the towel in the long FG stretch. The fractions looked funky on the replay but again as you note, were legit, particularly with the faster early fractions, even though the winner was in the stalking position. What impressed me more about My Boy Jack was the move he made before he fanned out - he was flying. One never knows how that translates when you add another eighth, especially when the horse (a 3yo) flattened out some. Fun to watch, for sure, and if you have such in the Derby you never tear up your ticket til the deep stretch...

jm