How many legitimate Derby-worthy performances yesterday (2/20)?
 

I'll go first:

One, Eskendereya.

I wouldn't give two cents for any horse I've seen at FG in the Derby. Maybe one will ship in for the Louisiana Derby.

Conveyance has no shot with that running style, and I doubt he is fast enough anyway. I'd take Dublin before him--and I don't particularly like Dublin.

D'Funnybone should do what he does best, which is very, very likely not 1.25 miles.

We can give Buddy's Saint a mulligan given what happened--he gets the Daniel Simpson Day "incomplete" award.

I agree with everything you posted.
Eskendereya was impressive and I guess he'll run and win the Florida Derby.

I would not give up on Dublin as he has talent. I heard he had breathing problems last year and Lucas said they took care of that. He closed well and could build off that race. He has the graded stakes earning so you know he'll be in the Derby.

We're still a long way from the Derby. Preakness, and Belmont. Eskendereya showed he is legit in the FOY, I would have been happier if it happened in the BC Juvy.

The next few month will be interesting leading in to the Triple Crown. I'm hoping to be at Belmont Park with a Triple Crown on the line.

"[I would not give up on Dublin as he has talent. I heard he had breathing problems last year and Lucas said they took care of that. He closed well and could build off that race. He has the graded stakes earning so you know he'll be in the Derby."

He has 4 Kentucky Derby winners, and still has more Breeders Cup wins than any other trainer. He took the Jack Van Berg model and ran with it. He's the trainer that created the whole "super trainer" picture that we see today, and he spawned the likes of Todd Pletcher.....and quite a few others.

Why is it that people can't spell his name correctly? It's a totally meaningless issue, but it still makes me crazy. I see it all over the place and it just drives me nuts.

His name is D Wayne Lukas folks....that's Lukas with a "K". Like him or not, he's more than earned the right to have his name spelled correctly.

and todd pleacher hasnt done much in the derby..

Gotta have them ready in May, not March

I think we saw some very mediocre racing yesterday. I hated Eskendereya, but its hard to bash one that wins by a football field. Albeit against bad horses, and a track that is very unfair. I would give Buddy a second chance eventhough hes a plodder.

SW None of those horses want anything to do with a mile and a quarter.

Risenstar. Slow race. I like Tempted to Tapit and Drosselmeyer because they stayed on. I think Drosselmeyer had some trouble, and I think TT will get a lot out of that race. I cannot knock the loose running leader because he won, but I would take the two behind him to run on with

Its far too early to hang your hat on anything, but it certainly brings Rule, Charliebrown, and the Albertrani into the equation. Along with all the Cali horses who haven't been off the shithetic.

Fair enough on them, as IWR showed last year.

Yeah but Iwantrevenge ran out of his skin both times he ran on the dirt. He was bred for the dirt. Lucky I have major reservations about, and the lesser horses in Cali are the ones Im interested in at this point.

I would pack up Buddy's Saint and head back to NY. He should catch an easy field in the Gotham.

Thats probably exactly what he will do. He said the horse would tell him. I think he told him yesterday

Anyword on 85ina50?

He is currently being pointed to the Rolex Three Day Event in KY.

They all will jump..Voss?

The wildcard horse is the cheap atkinson mount that is undefeated in Cal but has faced the socalled 2nd tier colts outhere. The conections have assured that he will keep the mount. Will they stay in cal and face Bafferts 1st string or take a IWR route and try DIRT? Cant fault the results so far. Is this colt the big story this year or will he fizzle out?

Bruce Levine was considering the Florida Derby for Buddy's Saint....wonder if that is still in consideration

Caracortado has done everything pretty easy. Dam side has a lot of stamina.

The locals looked bad yesterday. I imagine the planes will be packed coming from south Florida and soCal for the La Derby, NO Hcp, and Muniz.

From the 'Not so legitmate Derby-worthy performances in late Feb' file ....

* War Emblem's Risen Star:




* Mine That Bird's Borderland Derby:




What do Mine That Bird and Street Sense have in common? Well, a whole hell of a lot actually ... but .... most dear to my heart ... both of them finished behind Awesome Gem in the Breeders Cup Classic. Awesome Gem! BWAHAHAHAHA!

When and where is Super Saver supposed to return? I know he worked today.

Gotham or Rebel.

Thanks for the quick answer!