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

[lemoncrush]

well, one thing was evident in this race to me.

Poltergeist ran like.....well, ran like a Texas bred.

I expected more from him, especially with a sharp, recent win going two turns over the track.

[Travis Stone]

The 2009 Southwest has officially become the most over-analyzed race in the Derby Trail Prep History.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

The 2009 Southwest has officially become the most over-analyzed race in the Derby Trail Prep History.

I beat the '07 version of the Southwest to death here. The race Hard Spun was hung wide on both turns - rated back against a slow pace over a very pro inside-speed track - and ran a sneaky good 4th behind Tufulesburg.

It was actually a sneaky huge performance .. but it came after a Lecomte win of his on comeback that I thought was much less impressive than looked on paper or tape.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I beat the '07 version of the Southwest to death here. The race Hard Spun was hung wide on both turns - rated back against a slow pace over a very pro inside-speed track - and ran a sneaky good 4th behind Tufulesburg.

It was actually a sneaky huge performance .. but it came after a Lecomte win of his on comeback that I thought was much less impressive than looked on paper or tape.

I think you're well on your way of Rachel Alexandra-ing us all to death too.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I think you're well on your way of Rachel Alexandra-ing us all to death too.

It's ok.

I just found my ritalin.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I beat the '07 version of the Southwest to death here. The race Hard Spun was hung wide on both turns - rated back against a slow pace over a very pro inside-speed track - and ran a sneaky good 4th behind Tufulesburg.

It was actually a sneaky huge performance .. but it came after a Lecomte win of his on comeback that I thought was much less impressive than looked on paper or tape.

He was the victim of a two very key circumstances:

* Being born the same year as Curlin.

* Street Sense peaking at the right time (Hard Spun ran a huge race in the KY Derby, an effort that wins most Derby's nowadays).

When was the last time we saw a horse capable of winning a G1 sprint and nearly taking down a G1 10f Derby?

[justindew]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

He was the victim of a two very key circumstances:

* Being born the same year as Curlin.

* Street Sense peaking at the right time (Hard Spun ran a huge race in the KY Derby, an effort that wins most Derby's nowadays).

When was the last time we saw a horse capable of winning a G1 sprint and nearly taking down a G1 10f Derby?

2000. More Than Ready.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by justindew

2000. More Than Ready.

I was a huge fan of his after seeing his Sanford at Saratoga - it was one of the most exciting stretch kicks I've seen live in person.

But he didn't carry it throughout his 3-year-old season quite like Hard Spun.

Hard Spun had a really good campaign capping it off with a second in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It's funny how things work out... if Street Sense checks in traffic, Hard Spun is a Derby winner and instantly becomes one of the most coveted sires of the past 10-20 years.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by justindew

2000. More Than Ready.

Except that More Than Ready was not close to winning the Derby.

I would have preferred he run third to that ghastly four-horse entry, would have helped my trifecta.

NT

[justindew]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Except that More Than Ready was not close to winning the Derby.

I would have preferred he run third to that ghastly four-horse entry, would have helped my trifecta.

NT

He was sort of close.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

He was the victim of a two very key circumstances:

* Being born the same year as Curlin.

* Street Sense peaking at the right time (Hard Spun ran a huge race in the KY Derby, an effort that wins most Derby's nowadays).

When was the last time we saw a horse capable of winning a G1 sprint and nearly taking down a G1 10f Derby?

...or Afleet Alex.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by justindew

...or Afleet Alex.

Ah yes, Afleet Alex. He deserved the Derby that year...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Ah yes, Afleet Alex. He deserved the Derby that year...

How's that?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Ah yes, Afleet Alex. No one deserved the Derby that year...

FTFY

NT

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

He was the victim of a two very key circumstances:

* Being born the same year as Curlin.

* Street Sense peaking at the right time (Hard Spun ran a huge race in the KY Derby, an effort that wins most Derby's nowadays).

When was the last time we saw a horse capable of winning a G1 sprint and nearly taking down a G1 10f Derby?

My memory is so bad, I should never delve into these areas, but didn't Black Tie Affair win the BC Classic after the year prior running third in the BC Sprint?

Not the same as your question, but a versitile horse.

[Travis Stone]

The bottom line is Old Fashioned being considered the division leader speaks to where horse racing is today. He's a good horse, don't get me wrong, but none-the-less...

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

He was the victim of a two very key circumstances:

* Being born the same year as Curlin.

* Street Sense peaking at the right time (Hard Spun ran a huge race in the KY Derby, an effort that wins most Derby's nowadays).

When was the last time we saw a horse capable of winning a G1 sprint and nearly taking down a G1 10f Derby?

Smarty Jones and Lion Heart both were capable.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

The 2009 Southwest has officially become the most over-analyzed race in the Derby Trail Prep History.

until the next prep is run...it's like this every year! but that's what makes it all so fun.