The Trail
 

I was reading the Derby Watch via the DRF just now and it got me thinking about the various races and horses so far on the trail. I realized that I am having a hard time getting fully ramped-up at this point and I think it's because of two specific reasons:

* Synthetic surfaces have made so many of these preps hard to read, hard to figure and hard to take seriously.

* The crop seems fairly polarized -- either a horse is quite talented, or not talented enough. Horses are falling off lists with each passing start, but very few new ones are moving-up.

With each passing year I realize how much the sport has changed. There are more sprinters and milers now than there used to be. Preps that were once meaningful and indicative of potential Derby quality are now almost irrelevant. Two of the more talented horses in the crop aren't even on our half of the earth. It's just a totally new game, and I'm having a hard time adjusting.

That said, I'm really looking forward to the Florida Derby, because in my opinion horses like Dunkirk and Quality Road have the potential to really jump-up. While both are high on many lists, Quality Road still has to show me he can do it going two turns, and Dunkirk has to show he's ready to step-up so quick. Both are ridiculously talented, so hopefully the race instills a spark.

How exactly has Dunkirk shown himself to be " ridiculously talented? "

I should have put the word potentially in there... because of what he's shown thus far, the sky is certainly the limit, which was what I was trying to say. The word potentially doesn't work, but you know what I mean.

[quote=Travis Stone]
* Synthetic surfaces have made so many of these preps hard to read, hard to figure and hard to take seriously.QUOTE]

That is what is frustrating me. Seems these preps out west are turf races, and no one, not even the trainers, know if their horse can run on the dirt.

I really wasn't even giving the west coast horses any consideration because of that. Then I Want Revenge did what he did.

Dunkirk is going to be a major underlay & bet against in the FL Derby.

fischer is rambling again...
 

It's tough to say... I don't see any value, but he has a good shot here.

i'm thinking if he can run back his same allowance with a 3 or 4path trip in something like 1:49.60.

That isn't chopped liver. He might even be improving...

I don't know if he's just a grey, and that throws off my visual opinion but he seemed to physically tighten and mature from his debut to his allowance, and has been posting strong workouts. I am saying that he is still peaking into race shape.

This from someone who, to the best of my knowledge, is in his mid 20's. Can't wait to see how you cope after 30 years or so in the game.

At the rate we're going with some of these posts (here and at PA) I'll have to start releasing some of the idiots from my IGGY BIN. I mean, let's face it, Fischer's BS probably is no less valuable than that offered by most in here and he's, at least, been at it a bit longer.

Posting on this board is like walking through a minefield. It seems like many who post here are sitting behind their keyboard, drooling at an opportunity to jump down someone's throat. If someone writes a few paragraphs of thought, the odds are 3-5 someone quotes their whole post, bolds out a sentence and exerts some sort of "authority" because they have all this "knowledge." Maybe it's ego? Maybe it's how they get their kicks? No matter, to each his own, but how is that fun for everyone else?

I apologize for the post and I'm sorry it bumped down one of your countless, endless, nauseating complaints about this or that in the game. I made a few observations about how in my time in this game, which granted, is no where the time some people have spent, I have seen it change. If I posted how every track should have Trackus, or that every ride is bad or that Giant Oak deserves a look, would that have been better?

true but what has he done wrong

well said travis. back to your subject. I do believe as you that the polys throw a wrench in the whole thing when the derby is on good old dirt. example a horse like Bittel Road, maybe just a notch behind I Want Revenge and PIoneer of The Nile is nowhere in the lanes end. west side bernie looked good on dirt, also nowhere. . many of these going back and forth from the poly does make it more of a guessing game i believe

Amen chief

Travis, I would say I've got your back on this one but based on the amount of years Ive been associated with this game, Im probably defined as just another unexperienced idiot who doesnt know anything and has no authority. Not that anyone gives a damn about what I say on this board, I see nothing constructive about degrading people on a personal level. I think (which nobody probably cares what I think) that everyone who comments on this board is looking for a reactive stance to whatever topic is being brought up for the purpose of progressive conversation. But I could be totally wrong because I dont have a clue what I am saying. I am an idiot.:D

Come on Travis, You're not going to score any board cred with an attitude like that. It's the currency that drives message boredom and you need to start acquiring wealth fast.

Get into the trenches, unleash the smack, and take a dump on a hapless moron or two. You'll thank me later.

Oh yeah, and you really gotta do something about that terrible handle. Who the hell uses there actual name when they can choose up a kick ass moniker instead? Try something simple for a new handle like Balls of Stone .. slap on an avatar of something absurd like an ancient tyrant or an 80's baseball player and get in there and kick some ass.

Dont worry, if your smart enough to have LSU as your avatar, ya gotta be a pretty ok guy in my book!! Geauxxx Tigers!:D

You kneaux it!

http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/lsu-fa...the-city-15510

...and your point?

Well said Travis :tro:

Thanks PP, I have now been upgraded to an OK idiot. You are the greatest!!!!!!!!!!!Geaux Tigers!!!!!!!!!

I rather like Travis's handle....

Dr. Stone
Master Stone
Two Stone
Stone Diddy
Stone Roller