Da Derby

[bisket]

Looks like I'm rolling with the apprentice on Encino. On top of that we're breaking from the middle of the field where he's going to have to make lots of decisions quickly. The odds are going down every time I look up. I liked the days when Dickie Small had a good one going into a big race. Dickie would hide out in Maryland at Pimlico. Sneak in by van on Thursday morning at 4am, and tell the groom to make him look rough for a few days. Then saddle him up and let him go on Saturday. Today you hook your wagon to a longshot that no one has a clue about like Encino. You got a mook telling everyone how good he looks every gallop. Then you film him working a bullet a week before the race. How's a guy just trying to make his way in this world get some odds on derby horse these days? A Fierceness win is looking like more of a probability with him in the 17 hole. exacta box is looking good only if the apprentice makes the right decision..... better have the tie a nol (Tylenol for those that don't know hun) next to the couch

[bisket]

My top five...
Encino
Fierceness
Catching Freedom
Just Steel
Stronghold/ Resilience

[dogkatcher]

How does Mugatu 14 points 42nd eligible entrant make it to the Also Eligible list??

[rastajenk]

Everyone above him had more sense and opted out, I guess.

I happened to have talked to the trainer last week. He said he's a stayer in good form, for what that's worth, and is ready to go if he gets a chance.

But if there is a scratch I think it's pretty certain John Ennis' horse will go.

[Raider]

Should have read this thread before I started a thread. opps

[boys at tosconova]

i'm not really in the encino camp. i can't put that much emphasis on bullet works to even make me lean that way

the horse looks class and distance challenged imo. you can also say he might not be fast enough.

the positives are he's from the cox barn, has tactical speed and raced well on the dirt from the poly.

[f2tornado]

Originally Posted by boys at tosconova

i'm not really in the encino camp.

Me neither. My brother likes him and he does sometimes come up with a goofy exotics filler. Axel Concepcion? That name doesn't scream Derby to me but neither did Sony Leon riding Rich Strike. I'd still much prefer a Prat, Saez, JV, Rosario, etc. Godolphin? They failed every time. Rags scored Encino's Lexington victory with an 8. While that's the same as what Sierra Leone got in the BG, it's still a few points shy of a 5 or better typically needed to win here and at a half panel shorter distance. The 91 Brisnet LP is a historically low last figure to win the Roses. The horse is improving and Cox is no slouch. Further, he's got a good post and showed enough early foot at Keeneland to suggest he can get in a good position early. There are faster early horses and he will likely need to press or stalk. I won't talk someone out of playing an seemingly improving horse that's never missed an exacta. He's just not for me.

And after typing all that, I see he's out.

[zico20]

Originally Posted by bisket

Looks like I'm rolling with the apprentice on Encino. On top of that we're breaking from the middle of the field where he's going to have to make lots of decisions quickly. The odds are going down every time I look up. I liked the days when Dickie Small had a good one going into a big race. Dickie would hide out in Maryland at Pimlico. Sneak in by van on Thursday morning at 4am, and tell the groom to make him look rough for a few days. Then saddle him up and let him go on Saturday. Today you hook your wagon to a longshot that no one has a clue about like Encino. You got a mook telling everyone how good he looks every gallop. Then you film him working a bullet a week before the race. How's a guy just trying to make his way in this world get some odds on derby horse these days? A Fierceness win is looking like more of a probability with him in the 17 hole. exacta box is looking good only if the apprentice makes the right decision..... better have the tie a nol (Tylenol for those that don't know hun) next to the couch

You had a great day and you don't even know it. Now you have a chance to hit the race as your other four are logical to be there, well maybe not Resilience.

[bisket]

Originally Posted by zico20

You had a great day and you don't even know it. Now you have a chance to hit the race as your other four are logical to be there, well maybe not Resilience.

There have been plenty of races I thought afterwards, “What did I see in that horse?” lol I guess I’ll have to wait until this summer to figure that out. Betting on horses with a small sample involves a larger amount of risk, but if you get good at it it pays well.

[wiretowire68]

Budddddddddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. back to the noooooooooowheeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzin g the juice sat.

[bisket]

Originally Posted by wiretowire68

Budddddddddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. back to the noooooooooowheeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzin g the juice sat.

I’m partial to the fruit group; grapes