Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Derby Top 10

Derby Top 10 (Jan 16th)

1. Tiz Wonderful (1)
2. Any Given Saturday (2)
3. Nobiz Like Showbiz (3)
4. Great Hunter (4)
5. Street Sense (5)
6. Circular Quay (6)
7. Scat Daddy (7)
8. Pirates Deputy (8)
9. Notional (new)
10. Birdbirdistheword (9)


The real news this week came from the San Rafael and the LeComte. Many people were mightily impressed with Hard Spun. Unbeaten abd thus far untested he is drawing comparison with Smarty Jones. Up to this point though his career best Beyer is 95 so clearly he is a little slower than Smarty was at that stage. He just fails to make the 10 for a few reasons. First of all he wasnt facing very good horses. Second I didnt really like his action in the lane he seemed somehow awkward to me and finally he seems to prefer to be in front. Maybe its just because he outclassed them but I'm not going to give preference to him with that running style when Notional was in my mind more impressive and he comes from off the pace. Notional will have to improve his figures to show that he is fast enough to win the Derby. A 92 wont cut it, but I view this race as sort of a place to get on track. He got on track in a big way, I loved the way he was moving down the straight, powerful and professional. His breeding may be a question mark but the way he looked on Saturday suggests that 9f at least should not be a problem. Birdbirdistheword gets moved down slighty because Notional at this stage has shown more capacity for brilliance. Tenfold was a bit of a disappointment. It was like he hit a wall in the straight. I think he has talent but Baffert is goign to need to rethink his running style or his Derby aspirations.

On the radar:
Hard Spun, Ravel, Belgravia, Dilemma, Pegasus Wind, Exhale Day Pass, Minefield, Tenfold (10), Came To Pass

3 comments:

Hawken said...

I am happy to see Pirates Deputy at number 8 on your Derby list. I loved his run in the Delta Jackpot - I can't wait until he grows into those legs! And who wouldn't root for a horse that cost $6,500.00!

afleetalexforever said...

In my opinion NoBiz Like ShoBiz is the most impressive colt thus far to touch the track. He is big and powerful and showed he doesn't mind rating kindly which is what you need in a derby horse. His remsen was visually alot more impressive than Street Sense's B.C. Juvi win. NoBiz All the way.

Anonymous said...

i am thinking that street sense will be formidable in the kentucky derby because of winning the bc juvenile by so many lenghths and a good beyers//i think 12-1 on him is probably about right at this stage/i think nafsgar /spelling/ the trainer will be ok if the horse has talent/ i was wondering when the futures betting will take place?/ it has to be coming soon///about awesome gem in the san fernando//i thought he had the ideal last running line prior to the race to take big step forward//also, do you think brother derek is turning a little sour from all the racing he has done, especially, last year///

illinois'gerry