What Da’ You Think?

Saturday was the last big hurrah of marquee races until Derby day. – That’s just fine. It will be here in 28 days. – Was it the Wood with Vino Rosso who caught your eye or the lightly raced Justify who has the racing world talking morning line favorite. Maybe it was the Bluegrass and Good Magic who put the field under his spell on his way to Louisville. The Derby is red hot and the hounds are on their trail.

 

Wood Memorial

Enticed looked good until the real running began and still he tried to find another gear. When Johnny V called upon Vino Rosso he inhaled the leader only to find he had some more to offer. If you believe any of the racing rags he scored a 98 Beyer figure this race. Not bad, and I think he still had more in the tank. Either way, you need to follow these two off this effort.

 

The Bluegrass Stakes

It’s been awhile since the Bluegrass has produced a strong contender. – Could this be the year the prep should be taken extra serious? – Good Magic was a standout when they made the turn and the fractions were honest. For this handicapper, it was the winner and everyone else. Good Magic is a real player and scored a 95 Beyer figure off this race.

 

Santa Anita Derby

 

Bolt d’ Oro brought his “A” game. – No matter what is written or said he wanted to take the race. – J.J. Castellano went to the whip, dove to the rail and saved every inch of ground down the lane. The efforts were perfect but just not good enough. – Justify was the (4-5) morning line chalk and brought every bit of it. He is facing the “Apollo Curse” where no runner since 1882 has won the Derby without a two-year-old start. – Curses are meant to be broken. – His stride, his gleaming coat and his third-lifetime race in 2018 were ultra impressive. The scribes are chanting morning line favorite for Louisville. He scored an impressive 107 Beyer and may be the only runner without a 2-yr-old season with three triple-digit Beyer numbers to be given this honor. – “Bolt” is very good no doubt.  But Justify brought more heat than he could handle. – I like the race and feel he should be right there when it comes time for the morning line. I’m a little scared for “Bolt.” – Did they use too much gas down the lane? Looked like it to me, but that’s why they run the races and leave the windows open for guys like me.

 

Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies!