4/24 (AQU): Withers (G3)

[RolloTomasi]

I'm a bit surprised A Little Warm wasn't at least entered for this race.

Where does he go when he doesn't get into the Kentucky Derby?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I'm a bit surprised A Little Warm wasn't at least entered for this race.

Where does he go when he doesn't get into the Kentucky Derby?

He's apparently going straight to the Preakness. Either the Withers or Derby Trial made sense to me but oh well.

NT

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

This is disgusting.

What is disgusting? The field for this race? What exactly are you expecting for a 3yo race run one week before the Kentucky Derby?

[slotdirt]

I guess we can safely say that the hatchet has been buried betwixt Mssrs. Dutrow and Prado?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I guess we can safely say that the hatchet has been buried betwixt Mssrs. Dutrow and Prado?

Since word came out about Homeboykris the only Dutrow horses he's been on have been Paul Pompa's and it might have something to do with that.

NT

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I expect a group of at least 8 or 9 with a few who have Preakness thoughts. This is horrible, the horse to beat SUCKS, and I doubt he does much this year.

You do realize that on the same day, Churchill Downs is running the Derby Trial for $200K at 7.5F? What should you reasonably expect with almost two identical races being run opposite one another?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I expect a group of at least 8 or 9 with a few who have Preakness thoughts. This is horrible, the horse to beat SUCKS, and I doubt he does much this year.

Then you've never watched the Withers. It's almost always a compact field, and with good reason.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I remember Bernardini blowing away some Dutrow plug.

In a four-horse field if I recall correctly. Medallist had my personal favorite Withers.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I expect a group of at least 8 or 9 with a few who have Preakness thoughts. This is horrible, the horse to beat SUCKS, and I doubt he does much this year.

Unless you think a lot more of horses like Mr Fantasy, CP West, etc than I do, the Withers doesn't typically draw great horses or huge fields. For every Bernardini to enter this race there are about 50 glorified claimers taking advantage of the fact that the Derby is the next week and the Derby Trial is the same day, thus eliminating a huge chunk of the quality 3yo routers. This year the Derby Trial's purse is $50k bigger than this race, so why not go there instead?

Look, it obviously isn't a great (or deep) field, but D'Funnybone and Castaneda are both pretty decent, and for this type of race I just don't know how much more a person could reasonably expect.

[booner]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I expect a group of at least 8 or 9 with a few who have Preakness thoughts. This is horrible, the horse to beat SUCKS, and I doubt he does much this year.

I truly don't understand this. As stated in earlier posts:

1) The Derby Trial is run the same day. This splits the entries. Some will run at Churchill, some at Aqueduct.

2) D'Funnybone sucks? He might suck at a mile, but I will wait and see. He has done nothing this year - NOTHING - to warrant that comment.

3) Why do you think D'Funnybone won't do much the rest of the year?

[eajinabi]

I think every jockey in this race should get a kick in the head for thier rides. Abel Mariano got the race handed to him.