If Drums of Thunder can save ground in the beginning he has a GREAT Shot at winning this race

I think he does have a shot and is an intriguing prospect. With some favorable race dynamics he would not be a surprise to me.

I think so too, looks like things could really set up for him if Nobiz isn't the horse he is made out to be. I'm wondering what they will decide to do with Adore the Gold, nice horse, but is he going to be sent in hopes of getting a good position early on, in such case adding to Stormello and others?

NoBiz could run a good race and still lose to Drums of Thunder

Drums of Thunder got a race under him--even tho he was beat by NoBiz he was only 1.5 lengths back at a shorter distance.

He saves a little ground around that first turn(He Should get some just due to post)

This wont be a blow out but with alot of speed out fast def could setup nice

The questions about NoBiz are will he move forward, will he race a bit more professionally in the stretch? So far its like he wins on his immense talent alone, but he hasn't looked to me like he has moved forward off of his races yet. They've all kinda been the same to me. Maybe Saturday will be the day. He could still win even if he just performs like he has, but what I would love to see is how good this guy could be if he grows up a bit and gets serious down the lane. I still see him as having the most talent of the group so far.

Drums of Thunder seems to have underwent a nice imporvement in form since he has been stretched out, and with another small move forward could be competetive with NoBiz.

I think there are no good options for Adore the Gold. They most likely will have to send him but I don't think it will matter. I don't see him around at the finish whether they send him or rate him. This is going to be a real 2 turn acid test for him.

This from the guy that said Stormello had "zero" chance....c'mon, people, just let it die. It's not worth the time it takes to type a reply (and to read the ridiculousness). Just let him gloat if/when the favorite wins.

We all know that these 3 yr olds are rapidly improving and should continue to do so. The fact of the matter is, there are probably 2 or 3 horses in the field that could beat Nobiz given the right trip and some improvement off their last race.

We are in pretty much complete agreement on Nobiz. :)

What do you think of Boutrous in the Lewis? After reading the comments in the DRF it sounded like his trip was dreadfully awful, but when watching the replay last night, while he didn't get free run until the winner was well on his way I didn't think it was that awful of a trip that he would have been the winner with better. I'm picking up PP's after work today so I have no idea what sort of figures he had before and earned. I also noticed French Transition is in the race...last I saw him I think was the Breeder's Futurity, has he done anything sense? I'm very fond of Great Hunter and hope all of that foundation as a two year old puts him in the right direction.

Not having seen the replay of the Boutrous race, on paper it looks like whatever trouble he had will not factor into his chances tomorrow. Figurewise? Great Hunters worst race is better than Boutrous's best race.

However, I hate betting a lowpriced favorite returning off of a long layoff in a race that they absolutely do not have to win and when the real target is a few months down the road. On paper Great Hunter wins this easy but under these circumstances I sometimes look for an upset by some up and comer who really needs the race and has more recent form. For example in this race I might look at horses like Tiago, Hurry Up Austin, or Sam P. If Great Hunter isn't quite ready or doesn't like SA for some reason you could catch a potentially huge payoff.

French Transition broke his maiden Feb 1st, with a rather uninspiring figure. Don't see him up to the task yet.

You're right. As soon as someone says a horse has "zero chance", I should put that person on my block list.

--Dunbar

I think these "zero chance" comments hit you like nails on a chalkboard. :)

dunbar.. common sense says ... i say stormello has zero chance because i feel nobiz is unbeatable...

also every horse in this race besides nobiz is a way overhyped 3 yr old... scat daddy, stormello, and adore the gold are all overated... to be honest i think jburg star makes the exacta

I agree with you on this, and if he was handled by a trainer that I didn't have of a ton of confidence in, I would be very hesitant to play him on Saturday. However, I think a lot of Tagg, and when you combine him with Nobiz's obvious talent, I think the colt might give you that big professional race you have been looking for.
Drums of Thunder is a very interesting pick, but I fear he may be wise-guyed down to odds that don't really suit his chances.

Now I have seen it all!

Jim, that's a pretty accurate comparison!

--Dunbar

unreal... you guys are all over this drums of thunder, this happens all the time this is a classic wise guy horse that stands no shot to win this race...this horse has never done a thing in his career to suggest he can win this race, last race was solid, but lets no forget nobiz was coming off of a layoff and only his 4 career start

usually i am not a big fan of using the word "unbeatable" but in the competition for most useless poster on this board, i think you may in fact be "unbeatable" kid.

I agree on both points, I have immense respect for Tagg and I just think we're going to see maybe a bit of a breakout performance this week from NoBiz.

Drums of Thunder has been getting some mentions now and his odds may not be appealing. I would still think though that if you like his chances of upsetting this field that you could hook him up in multi-race wagers and get a pretty nice return.

I made my first Derby Future bet this year. I put bets on two horses Drums of Thunder at 41:1 and Zanjero at even larger odds.

You may even get Dunbar to agree with you on that point!

whatever you guys say... i said at this point, and mainly ment vs this field.. and you all should know that