2/16 (OP): Southwest S. (Gr. III)

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by philcski

That was clearly his worst career race, and he still won. Bad enough that wiseguys let him go off at 7/2 in the Rebel with Purge favored. As much as I think Old Fashioned is the correct current Derby favorite, this might have been his best career race.



Note in Davidowitz' column about the downhill not affecting races run at a mile.

Incidentally, I remember that column specifically because it made me decide that Peace Rules could be forgiven for the extremely slow final 3F's in the Blue Grass (and even though he didn't win the Derby, he ran extremely well) and Sir Cherokee being an easy toss.

Peace Rules He'd be unstoppable in the older male division now!

[pick4]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Peace Rules He'd be unstoppable in the older male division now!

Peace Rules was as game of a horse as there was. He always ran hard and gave an honest effort.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Peace Rules He'd be unstoppable in the older male division now!

He would CRUSH these, even at his less-than-preferred distance of a mile and a quarter.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by philcski

He would CRUSH these, even at his less-than-preferred distance of a mile and a quarter.

I think that is what is amusing about this conversation about Old Fashioned. When Peace Rules was running I remember reading on the boards that he was never brilliant enough and not very good because at the time there were some really nice horses running. Now we have a horse who, while lacking true jaw-dropping brilliance, of Derby Contenders past, has been checking the appropriate boxes and like you said is the deserving Derby favorite, yet on this board and others there are people who seem to think OF isn't deservent or head of the class. Perhaps they're holding out for brilliance we may (or may not) be seeing this year.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I think that is what is amusing about this conversation about Old Fashioned. When Peace Rules was running I remember reading on the boards that he was never brilliant enough and not very good because at the time there were some really nice horses running. Now we have a horse who, while lacking true jaw-dropping brilliance, of Derby Contenders past, has been checking the appropriate boxes and like you said is the deserving Derby favorite, yet on this board and others there are people who seem to think OF isn't deservent or head of the class. Perhaps they're holding out for brilliance we may (or may not) be seeing this year.

It's February 16. Why does there have to be a "head of the class" right now? Is it that crazy to wait until a few more preps are run? I'd say at least half of the horses that'll be in the Derby starting gate haven't even gone two turns yet. Old Fashioned looks like a nice horse, but I don't think it's outlandish to hold off on calling him the horse to beat.

[citycat]

If I got my choice of horse from the SW it would have to be Flat Out. I thought that colt had a very nice run

I thought Flat Out was exposed. I could be wrong though. These horses are getting so ridiculously slow that he could clunk up for a placing in a TC race.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I think that is what is amusing about this conversation about Old Fashioned. When Peace Rules was running I remember reading on the boards that he was never brilliant enough and not very good because at the time there were some really nice horses running. Now we have a horse who, while lacking true jaw-dropping brilliance, of Derby Contenders past, has been checking the appropriate boxes and like you said is the deserving Derby favorite, yet on this board and others there are people who seem to think OF isn't deservent or head of the class. Perhaps they're holding out for brilliance we may (or may not) be seeing this year.

i think with it being only mid-february, that it's too soon to decide who is 'head of the class'.
hell, oftentimes we've run the classics and there is still debate on that subject.