3/29 (OP): Arkansas Derby Day

[moses]

Originally Posted by moses

He is probably the best horse in the race so I’m not sure how I’ll be approaching it. There are too many questions for me to single him in a pick 4 or 5 sequence but I’m sure many will. I may end up singling Sandman and hoping for the best (despite him not being able to track down others in his most recent 2). The pace just might set up too perfectly for him.

I wouldn’t blame you for including a horse like Monet’s Magic. If cornucopian, coal battle, and sandman are the trifecta, it won’t pay much.

I ended up betting Publisher instead of Sandman. SMH.

[King Glorious]

I came away really impressed with Cornucopian. I think he’ll win some big races. He’s my early favorite for the Haskell.

[theguarantee]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I came away really impressed with Cornucopian. I think he’ll win some big races. He’s my early favorite for the Haskell.

Agreed, ultimately had a really bad cap on the race but didn't come away at all thinking Cornucopian isn't the most talented 3 year old...hope that race didn't ruin him...and definitely now think Monet was a case of Derby Fever...surprised Colebrook couldn't convince them a Keene allowance/The Lexington wasn't the right spot...still wonder if he isn't talented in an Allowance/Listed/G3 type sense...but clearly wasn't ready to fire vs those types...

Weirdest thing to me is the main reason I liked Cornu there was I thought he clearly showed ability to rate...not sure if it was JV/instructions but ultimately would've thought JV was smart enough to sense the situation/back off? Even in a loss Prat had what I thought was a brilliant ride today at SA in the 8th on Tom Horn when he broke like a rocket and backed off...came with his run and couldn't hold off the closing 8...feel like we could've seen a similar result with Cornu here if he did this, but who knows...maybe best for him long term and like you said Haskell/Travers makes sense, can back off a touch and maybe see a huge second half campaign from Baffert.

[moses]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I came away really impressed with Cornucopian. I think he’ll win some big races. He’s my early favorite for the Haskell.

Very talented horse that experienced a very bad pace scenario. I’d be shocked if Cornucopian didn’t win some big races at some point.

I’m sure he’ll get bet heavily if he returns in the Haskell. I’d have to see who he’s up against and the question about two turns remains, as we can’t really glean much about his route ability from the Arkansas Derby. I’d guess he’ll be fine going two turns provided there isn’t an insane pace that he gets caught up in. But you never know for sure until the horse actually does it.