7/18 (CNL): Virginia Derby (G2); Virginia Oaks (G3)

[Bobby Fischer]

File Leparoux choosing "El Crespo" over Lime Rickey under stupid jock/agent moves...

Lime Rickey must be everyone's choice here among those not converted to the religion of Nicanor. He was the talk of the board going into the VA Derby. I guess that was just because he ran in a NY allowance prior??
Had a good late run in last. Still, without ever drinking his koolaid hard to see him getting up anyway, and he loses JL for the corndog.

Florentino absolutely gave up in the shadow of wire winning the Jefferson Cup. He hates the whip doesn't he? He can add pace pressure, but he is clearly quitting here.

Straight Story, Battle of Hastings and maybe lime rickey are the 3 alternatives to Nicanor. You could go ahead and force 2 other likely suspects for your 5horse play against box.

I desperately want Nicanor to be bet heavily, but he actually has a chance here. This isn't stardom bound on keeneland's poly, Nicanor is more of an unknown than a certain toss. He really shouldn't be less than 5-1. Logic says that 2 Lengths better than that cheap delaware nx1 (LESS if you count that advantage Rosie used with that quirky track configuration on the inside rail from the gate) that Battle of Hastings and co. have to be better. It should still be interesting.

Lots of speed signed on here. Affirmatif is really an unknown factor. He shouldn't get the distance with this kind of pace but who knows? THat cheap mud race actually got flattered a little bit at monmouth of all places. He figures to be near the lead @ the mile, and Decarlo is starting to carve a niche up front on the grass. I'm not using him in anything.

bash this field , but it's a decent BETTING race with several possibilities