3/26 (TP): Spiral, Bourbonette (G3's); Rushaway, Hansel, Queen

[somerfrost]

I should be more specific regarding what I mean by "weak"...I look at breeding from the standpoint of how many CDR's are in first four generations of pedigree. Many horses are excellent runners but not great sires. No horse has won the Derby with fewer than 16 points in his DP since 1950 (Middleground with 12). Animal Kingdom has 8 (DP: 2-0-6-0-0...Blushing Groom (B,C) appears in third generation, Lyphard (C) appears twice in 4th. European horses are included in CDR's so that's not a factor. Only the great Count Fleet has won the Derby with fewer than 12 points, he had but 4 in 1943....Count Fleet was, in my opinion, one of the all time greats. Not saying this alone guarantees Animal Kingdom can't win but the history is certainly against him and that's why I consider his pedigree weak, especially as it translates into Derby success.