3/15 (OP): Rebel S., Azeri S. (G2's), Razorback H. (G3)
 

8th (4:52) Azeri S. (G2)

1 1/16 Miles | Fillies and Mares | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $200,000

1 Close Hatches Rosario J 120 L
2 Magic Union Lezcano J 118 L
3 Dixie Strike Arroyo N Jr 118 L
4 Don't Tell Sophia Hill C 123 L
5 Sister Ginger Santana R Jr 118 L
6 Flashy American Thompson T J 118 L
7 On Fire Baby Johnson J M 118 L



9th (5:27) Razorback H. (G3)

1 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $200,000

1 Taptowne Arroyo N Jr 117 L
2 Right to Vote Borel C H 115 L
3 Street Spice Canchari A 113 L
4 Golden Lad Lezcano J 115 L
5 Called to Serve Santana R Jr 117 L
6 Govenor Charlie Smith M E 115 L
7 Majestic City Rosario J 114 L



10th (6:04) Rebel S. (G2)

1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $600,000

1 Jet Cat McKee J 115 L
2 Ride On Curlin Desormeaux K J 115 L
3 Tapiture Santana R Jr 122 L
4 Strong Mandate Rosario J 117 L
5 Hoppertunity Smith M E 115 L
6 Sheltowee's Boy Navarro J 115 L
7 Street Strategy Borel C H 115 L
8 Kobe's Back Lezcano J 117 L

This really is a fabulous card. Hell, Bourbon Courage is in an earlier allowance and would probably be favored or close to it in the Razorback...and he is no cinch in that one.

6 stakes winners; 3 stakes placed..

6th (3:45)

1 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Allowance | Purse: $62,000

1 Voodoo Storm Arroyo N Jr 119 L
2 Dreaming Blue Mello D 119 L
3 Golden Ron Court J K 115 L
4 Bourbon Courage Vazquez R A 115 Blk-Off L
5 Joy Boy Hill C 115 L
6 Win Willy Canchari A 115 L
7 Frederico Mello D 115 L
8 Guilt Trip Rosario J 115 L
9 Sabercat Santana R Jr 115 L
10 Stachys Quinonez L S 115 L

A-Coupled: Dreaming Blue and Frederico

The two worst things that ever happened to Bourbon Courage were winning the Super Derby and running 2nd in the Donn. He needs to be cut back in distance so badly.

I think CLose Hatches starts off a gigantic year in the Azeri. Older filly eclipse winner IMO.

She still has to make up lengths to catch up to Beholder, can happen but there was a large gap three months ago.

She does have to make some up, but Beholder's trip on BC Friday was much more favorable.

Weather could play a part
 

rain from 2pm on !!

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/hot...326859?hour=33

D Wayne did a rain dance

Strong mandate is most strong today
And bourbon courage needs more couraggio

Tapiture has some agility. I like him.

What a cluster****

I agree...
I think he got a lot out of that race, and will move forward.

I thought Strong Mandate ran ok. Hard to take a lot away from the shitshow bumping stretch run. He doesn't appear to have developed from age 2 however.

Really thought Hoppertunity deserved to come down. He shut off Tapiture a couple times and there's no question in my mind it cost Tapiture the win. If it wasn't Baffert, I feel like they would have placed him second.

DWL's horses generally have to race themselves into shape, whether it's by design or not, so I wouldn't cross off Strong Mandate just yet.

http://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/Strong_Mandate


http://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/Dublin

Time will tell. I get the impression that SM tires late, maybe more racing will strengthen him, maybe not. Sire , Tiznow says yes in theory , but i don't know, my impression is miler, one turn.:confused:

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...oughshod-rebel


"We based our decision on the fact that Ricardo Santana Jr. pushed his way out from behind (Strong Mandate) as the horses were straightening out in the stretch," Oaklawn steward Larry Snyder reported. "We felt Mike Smith was just holding his position. The rider of the 4 horse (Joel Rosario on Strong Mandate) never had to stop riding."

You are being very kind. I know it was a changing track with the weather but, after those even fractions, I expected to see Strong Mandate run away and hide.
I was very high on him coming into the race, I expected a WOW performance 2nd off the BC Juvy run.

Strong mandate has some stamina issues...i wouldn't say he is getting tangled up in wicked fractions or anything either...roc was able to hang around much better then sm yesterday...i would think about shipping somewhere or something...try something new cuz sm and oaklawn dont seem to be working