Welcome to the Kentucky Derby, Shackleford

[justindew]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Why not?

Shackleford was best in that race. This wasn't yet another case of a speed horse majorly over performing in a Derby prep because of a slow pace and better horses not being allowed to use their early speed.

They went over 2 full seconds faster in the first half mile than Older males in a Grade 3 stake 30 minutes prior ... Flashpoint was not going to clear from out there unless he was gunned. 12/1 Ron The Greek made a wide rally from dead last in the Grade 3 for older male to finish just one position behind dream trip overbet 2/1 pacesetter Colizeo.

The last 1/8th of the Florida Derby was 13.69 - the last 3fs 39.44 - over a track that wasn't exactly slow.

Sure - Shackleford has almost no chance in the Derby - unless The Factor and maybe one or two other speeds all break very bad. But they can take heart in knowing they were best today.

By "best", you must mean "best of the horses not named Dialed In." No one closed today.

What sucks is that the truth is now out on To Honor and Serve and Soldat.