[Split Rock]

Is it me or does Jackson Bend look similar to Funny Cide?

Here are the similarities leading up to the Derby:

1) Both was a state bred phenom as a two year old
2) Both had three preps as a three year old
3) Both lost all three preps as a three year old
4) Both lost the Holy Bull Stakes, a Grade 2 prep and the Wood Memorial
5) Both lost to the Derby favorite but was game for second in the Wood
6) Both were dinged for having sprinter pedigree and not wanting the distance
7) Both had great early/tactical speed
8) Both had Beyer Speed Figures improve in each start as a three year old
9) Both showed the ability to press the early lead and move away in the stretch as a two-year old
10) Both were based on the east coast

Now, I'm not saying they are exactly the same. Funny Cide had much higher Beyer's going into the Derby (had a 110 in the Wood compared to the 93 for Jackson Bend). However, it is quite similar and one thing that I am starting to believe (save for a couple of exceptions like Big Brown) grizzled, tactical, game runners are good options in the Derby. Also, there is a long history of Derby winners that lost their previous prep race.

Anyway, I am alive to ALL in the Turf Classic to Jackson Bend for a $5 pick 3 (with Blind Luck). I am contemplating really going for it and singling Jackson in a pick 4.

Finally---Did anyone watch the Wood? If so, did it appear that Awesome Act was really ready to unload in the lane but went flat. Was there an excuse? I heard something about a missing shoe?

~good luck to everyone~