That doesn't count, someone had to stagger in second.

LOL

It seems that many of the Derby "rules" have been tossed aside the last few years. The 2yo champ/BC Juvy winner is a throwout, the last prep has to be within four weeks, etc. The training game has changed much in the last 20 years, so perhaps the old rules no longer hold so much sway. Nowadays, it is common for a top horse to show up in a major stakes without a prep. Not too long ago, that same horse would have tuned up in a allowance or minor stakes at a sprint distance.

Larry did an amazing job getting Hard Spun and Eight Belles to run peak efforts in the Derby. He definitely knows what he is doing. If he feels that there is not much to gain but more to lose from another race before the Derby, then I trust his judgment.

Friesan Fire has raced four times at a mile or more since mid December. He has spent four months training and racing over the deep Fair Grounds surface. He may not have the ability to win the Derby, but he is going to be dead fit come May 2nd.

And the first of the two went on to win a Triple Crown race...in Canada.

NT

Yeah I got that, but on what could you possibly base your contention that the fractions in this year's Blue Grass will be much more grueling than in '07? Or that it would be much more taxing on Friesan Fire than it was on Street Sense?

I haven't the faintest idea if it would have been a tougher race, but it's pretty safe to say there's an excellent chance the fractions will be quicker this year than they were in 2007. The fractions of the 5th at the Big M tomorrow night might be quicker than the 07 Blue Grass.

NT

The Louisiana Derby offers an awkward gap to the Derby, particularly with today's standards of training. I can't knock Jones for training-up to the race, his options are limited.

Cuz Street Sense had a massive tool for that track.

It's tempting to conclude, as RandolphScott alluded to, that coming off a career top, the 7 weeks might avert a bounce in the KD . Otherwise, with the Blue Grass you might be in form for a 0-2-X . Not good.

It's a good decision. I'm hoping this will catch on in other sports. Like boxing. Have about 6 fights and retire and have your trainer talk about how great you were. It would help the sport tremendously.

Or having Rafael Nadal only play the French, then Federer just plays U.S. so as to assure we don't tire these poor guys out.

imo, this is the larger issue.

They've done enough. I'm looking forward to Nadal and Federer offspring, and we can keep the cycle going.

This is really just conjecture on my part, but to run Friesan Fire in the Arkansas Derby would put him head to head with Old Fashion (who really needs to win) which I doubt Mr. Porter would want that. I also think that they probably would rather stay on the dirt so that would let Keenland out too. If anyone could train him up to the Derby, Larry Jones is one who can do it. IMO

I think the day of 3 prep, 4 prep campaigns before the derby are becoming obsolete. Why that is I just don't know for sure...

I look at it like this. From a standpoint of someone that isnt going to play him in the Derby, I like the decision. With his current running lines, alot of novice money will be thrown his direction. Had he raced again before May and disappointed, some/most people would've hopped off his bandwagon IMO.

That said, I'm sure LJ knows whats best for his horses. If he loses in early May, I doubt it will be the time off that did him in. As someone said previously, it will probably be due to the stretchout to 9 panels +.

I can see him pulling ahead of the cavalry charge at the top of the straightaway only to be overtaken in mid-sretch by a handful of horses and finish anywheres from 6-9.

I'm in the camp of the "no 1 1/8" group. I think this will be a bigger issue than the layoff.