Ride on Normandy Invasion

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Midnight Lute sprinted because of airway issues not pedigree

I've heard that said many times now.

It's still early, but Midnight Lute offspring have won 19% of their sprints (111) and finished in the money in 48% of them.

They've won 12% of their routes (71) and finished in the money in 39% of them

Meanwhile, Valid Expectations was a pure sprinter who never even raced beyond a mile in a racing career that spanned 27 starts.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I've heard that said many times now.

It's still early, but Midnight Lute offspring have won 19% of their sprints (111) and finished in the money in 48% of them.

They've won 12% of their routes (71) and finished in the money in 39% of them

Meanwhile, Valid Expectations was a pure sprinter who never even raced beyond a mile in a racing career that spanned 27 starts.

Well he was a pretty good sprinter himself no? Aren't the route numbers better than you'd expect for a sire who was only a sprinter? Especially considering that his oldest foals are 3? His best horses have mostly run well in routes.

[Cannon Shell]

Any horse can clunk up and run well at a distance beyond their best if there is an insane pace and the race falls apart.

I remember a horse that Skiffington had called Hollywood Handsome. He was by Groovy out of a His Majesty mare who won grass races at 1 3/8ths coming from last. There are exceptions and things that dont make sense in breeding/racing.

I hardly paid attention to the Derby run up and didnt bet a cent on the race. Someone whose opinion I respect didn't like NI because of the pedigree. After watching the race it is hard to say he was wrong that a slight horse out of a Boston Harbor mare would have trouble making the 1/1/4.

[Calzone Lord]

This years half mile has been called "the 4th fastest in Derby history" but it's really a three-way tie for being the 2nd fastest in history, because both Groovy and Top Avenger ran a generic 45 1/5.

Here's a recap of the top finishers in these meltdown years:

Fastest Half in Derby History: Songandaprayer 44.86

Monarchos rallied from 16 lengths back to win this Derby.

Point Given, was 2nd by 1.5 lengths after a mile, but he faded badly in the stretch to finish 5th beaten 11.5 lengths.

Point Given won the Preakness, Belmont Stakes, Haskell, and Travers in his next four starts. His 12+ length victory in the Belmont Stakes over both Monarchos and Invisible Ink helped prove conclusively he was too close to the Derby pace.

Co 2nd fastest Derby half: Top Avenger 45 1/5

Pleasant Colony rallied from 18 lengths back to win. The top five finishers raced 16th, 19th, 12th, 18th, and 20th after a half mile. Pleasant Colony was off at 3/1 odds. The 2nd place finisher was 34/1. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th place finishers were all part of the mutual field.


Co 2nd fastest Derby half: Groovy 45 1/5

Ferdinand raced dead last early in 16th position and won this Derby from 20 lengths back at 17/1 odds. Snow Chief made the first middle move and faded to finish 12th. He won the Preakness by 4 lengths over Ferdinand next time out. Broad Brush raced 6th after a half mile, led after a mile, and finished 3rd.

Co 2nd fastest Derby half: Palace Malace (45.33)

19 horse field, the top five finishers raced 16th, 15th, 18th, 7th, and 17th after a half mile.