Ria Antonia
 

Loooch Racing's Twitter account just said she's aiming for the Kentucky Derby. Risen Star then Louisiana Derby is the path they're taking.

I hope they come to their senses before she actually makes a start in either race.

Most bizarre overestimation of their athletes?

Ria Antonia being pointed to Derby or Jimmy Dolan pointing Knicks to NBA Finals?

If she's good enough, the points system will work itself out. I don't see the big deal in trying. We'll see what happens in the prep races.

I like the sporting nature of what they are doing but fail to see anything in her races that makes me think she can be competitive with boys on dirt. Do you?

I took a quick look at the DRF PPs for both. Well for one, the final time of the Juvenile Fillies is faster. Of course, the Beyer turned out slower, with Ria Antonia earning an 81 vs. the 88 for New Year's Day. Her speed figure isn't that far off and there's still plenty of time to improve.

If she matures and gets a little better, I see her being competitive in those Fair Grounds races.

Eh, I thought about her breeding a little more and she probably will not get 10 furlongs, but there are always horses that have no shot in the Derby and having the Juvenile Fillies champion in there wouldn't be too embarrassing, if she were to make it.

We'll know by the first or second prep whether she will make it, so no one has to worry about a horse getting in that doesn't belong, because if she's good enough those points will be earned.

because of the nature of the points system, you have to decide pretty quickly if you want to make the attempt, because you have to get in the preps and earn points.
if she doesn't do well in those races leading up, she won't be in the gate in may. no harm, no foul.

There are actually a few really promising colts in this crop. I can't see this filly having anywhere near the upside from here on out to win the Derby.

Call me cynical ... but I happen to think this is just gamesmanship and a cry for attention.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner has captured the Eclipse Award for Champion 2-year-old filly on 25 of the last 27 occasions.

I think the connections of Ria Antonia are possibly saying something like that in December to help sell her to the writers for year end honors.

This filly was no better than 4th in her first three stakes attempts, and she was put up in the Juvenile Fillies over a very slight bump that happened in the final 40 yards of the race. She's A Tiger should win the Eclipse award. She's had a much better 2yo season in totality than Ria Antonia did.

If I were Ria Antonia's connections, I'd sure want that championship. It's a vote they might get anyway, but making a statement that they're pointing to the Kentucky Derby is going to get her name in the Headlines. Perhaps this really is "a bizarre overestimation of her ability" like Cannon Shell says ... but I think it's possible that they can taste that championship, and they're doing what they have to do to help their filly out in what could ultimately be a very close vote.

Not necessarily. She could still need to earn points to make the field for the Kentucky Oaks. If she "wastes" a few starts against the boys in the spring, she might not be guaranteed a spot in the gate for the Oaks.

if she hits the board, she won't earn oaks points?
and if she's up the track vs boys first out, i don't know they'd stick to that route, and she'd have time to get points for the alternative.

Don't know if "Derby points" can be applied towards the Oaks. That said, my hypothetical assumed that she doesn't hit the board against the boys (which is what I would envision happening).

which is why, if it were me, i'd try it early on. if it's a failed experiment, you go the other route.

They had a couple tweets about the Juvie being proof that the colts really are no better than the fillies as their justification.

Maybe I'm just cynical, but they have to be campaigning for a title vote. The same way every politician makes promises they don't intend to keep, while campaigning.

Running her in Derby preps against colts when equally rich softer spots are available?...yeah.

I'll believe it when I see it.

I'm not so sure. In watching the post-race BC press conference, the owner came across as a loose cannon. He was talking Derby in that press conference (after trainer had mentioned the possibility of following the Princess of Sylmar route to the Oaks). I didn't get the sense that a championship lobbying campaign had begun that quickly (or would be as sophisticated as you are suggesting).

Maybe they can make her tail pink like that idiot Hansen.

She wont be competitive with the girls.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...n-against-boys

Huh, didn't realize she was nearly 17 hands. I guess she's not gonna be intimidated from a size standpoint at least.