Derby Top 10 - Jan 20th
1. Imperial Council (1)
2. Old Fashioned (2)
3. Hello Broadway (3)
4. Capt. Candyman Can (4)
5. Square Eddie (5)
6. Midshipman (6)
7. Vineyard Haven (7)
8. Terrain (8)
9. Break Water Edison (9)
10. Quality Road (10)
Prior to the San Rafael I said that Square Eddie doesn't need to win the race to retain his position. A loss in January means very little when stock is taken in May. He ran a good race but couldn't get to a winner who ran out of his skin in a pretty fast time. It was good enough for Square Eddie. I find it both interesting and positive that connections are saying he should get one or two dirt preps before the Derby. This might have been the last time we see him on synthetics until the summer. I would suspect that a race like the Louisiana Derby is next on the list for Square Eddie.
As for The Pamplemousse I think I may have found myself a new favorite to cheer for. I don't really like him as a Derby horse, I think he'd have a great future as a Turf miler but for now I'd rank him as the official #11 on this 10 horse list. If Quality Road doesn't take a step forward next out The Pamplemousse will be waiting in the wings to take his place. He does not inspire visions of stamina but it's not far fetched to think that he could win the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby. He is certainly one to keep an eye on. A 95 Beyer figure for a synthetics prep in January is quite zesty. I don't think The Pamplemousse really needs the lead he simply took it for the lack of a faster horse.
Chocolate Candy, Taqarub and Flat Out are all suckers horses in my opinion. I don't think any of them are Derby horses but I do think that Taqarub could be one of the best sophomore sprinters this season. I don't think we've seen real Derby quality on exhibition yet in 2009. The only two of my Top 10 runners who have been in action are on the list more for the strength of their two year old races than most recent ones. I'm still waiting for a three year old to "wow" me.
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4 comments:
1. Vineyard Haven
2. Old Fashioned
3. Square Eddie
4. Hello Broadway
5. Midshipman
6. Breakwater Edison
7. Capt. Candyman Can
8. Pioneerof the Nile
9. The Pamplemousse (n)
10. Giant Oak (9)
dropped: Terrain
I just don't get Imperial Council. His win the fig came out low and in the loss he grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. Whenever Shug gets a 3 year old that shows any ability the wise guys are all over him. I would love to see him win but I just don't see it. Some horses I prefer are Patena, Alma D'oro (Dutrow on thetrail again what fun), General Quarters, Well Positioned, and I haven't given up on Indygo Mountain yet his race a the Fair Grounds wasn't as bad as it looked.
That's fair. He is definitely an odd ball selection.
I'm not usually a guy who jumps on the Shug horses. Most of them just love the Phipps stable. Imperial Council isn't one of those horses. He is simply one whom I see a great deal of potential in. His loss came to a very very good horse and his win was as easy as you could ask for. Quite reminiscent of his sire in my opinion.
We shall have to wait and see.
I was at the paddock before Imperial Council's debut at Saratoga. I kept hearing laud bang and could figure out what it was. Turned out to be Imperial Council. He was kicking the wall while they attempted to saddle him. Shug literally had to dive on the reins so he didn't get lose. When the jockeys were up and they headed to the track this horses was breathing fire. I will be rooting for him. I hope you are right.
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