?????? Cannon Shell ????????
 

Im wondering and could understand if you prefere to not answer this question, If you had a lightky raced but productive 2y old that has shown a sharp turn of foot, a pedigree that says "I want the classic distance". Other than yourself, who would you want to prep ypur horse for the K Derby? Where would you prefere him to prep? Money not being any consideration.

A lot of it would depend on who the owner is. So much of what is done on the Triple Crown trail is under the microscope and some owners actually listen to some of the free advice that is given to them.
If I was the owner and could do what I wanted (assuming I could not sell the horse which I almost assuredly would do if I owned him) I may use the Fair Grounds route with a final prep in one of the logical spots (Wood, BG, AK, SA Derby). But a lot depends on what the horse did as a 2 yo. and when and where he last raced. If I could not train him myself I'm not sure who I would send him to. It would not be a trainer that has 4 other derby horses though. I would prefer that my horse get plan A and not have to play second fiddle to another horse.

The more I here some of your ideas the more I respect you.Like your idea of selling a young horse to make a nice profit in stead of tking the gamble of winning or even running the Derby. Im sure that you realy like the game but you approach it as turning a profit as a measuring stick for success. While Im sure you would like a derby winner. You dont appear to feel the need to do this to be a success. I might be talking out of place and reading someting into your reply. Your search for a trainer would it be a trainer such as Cody Autry or would you seek someone higher profile and more experienced?

I am far from wealthy and as such I treat this as a business. I would love to train a Derby horse and winning it is every American trainers dream but I am realistic in what the toll of the Triple Crown takes on a horse and am not in a position to turn down big money for a horse that is one step away from disaster. I owned 1/2 of a filly that I had alot of money tied up in who looked to be rounding into form where she may be a minor stakes winner and maybe get some black type. She was out of a South American grade 1 winner and was 1/2 sister to a stakes winner. One day last June she died in her stall from an ruptured blood vessel in her sinus cavity. Was there anyway to prevent this from happening? No. Did I feel like I should have sold her or at least a piece of her when I had the chance?You bet I did. It is hard enough to have one of your hoses die but even harder when it costs you close to six figures.
I would consider Cody. He does a good job. He may lack exerience with those types of horses but I think that there is only one way to get experience. I dont think that higher profile trainers are better than alot of under the radar guys, just more exposed.

OMG That is really sad. :( Time heals all wounds but that would take me forever and a day. I still get a little choked up when I think about my dog dying almost 5 yrs ago.

I always thought that I would rather win the Kentucky Derby than have $1-2 million. To have to make that decision some day would be a dream come true. The Derby is the one thing they will never be able to take away from the connections of Barbaro.

Thanks very much for sharing