Derby : the Colonel, Denman

[Mister Sanderson]

If this doesn't give you goosebumps a little, then you might not like the sport. IMO the best prep effort (although Big Browns was tremendous in the Fla Derby and Pyro was electrifying in the Risen Star) and a great call by denman.



www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZbEznrXXRs




There are so many things from a handicapping perspective and a visual perspective that I love to see here. Colonel John shows a calm head not panicking after getting shuffled back. And once he had a place to extend stride, he picks up steam like a locomotive... if you watch him at the wire he still hasn't reached top speed; he had much more in the tank.

His consistency is unparalelled amongst this field never running poor or never finishing weak, and I just think he will love to hear the clang of that stride on dirt. Coming into the week, I wouldn't have even thought about him, but after seeing the replays, looking at his blood, and his picture-perfect amount of races and time between races, I just love him on Saturday.

Also: Could Corey Nakatani have given him a better education any more than he did in this race? Even and controlled pace, shuffled back, weaving, straightening for an energetic finish. This horse is now a trained and battle-tested warrior that Big Brown will have to keep running to stay ahead of; I think the Colonel might have some of his dad in him; he really showed the will to compete.

[gestalt]

Nice piece, please stay with us, missed your input alot.

[cashcall]

If this doesn't give you goosebumps a little, then you might not like the sport. IMO the best prep effort (although Big Browns was tremendous in the Fla Derby and Pyro was electrifying in the Risen Star) and a great call by denman.



www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZbEznrXXRs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZbEznrXXRs)




There are so many things from a handicapping perspective and a visual perspective that I love to see here. Colonel John shows a calm head not panicking after getting shuffled back. And once he had a place to extend stride, he picks up steam like a locomotive... if you watch him at the wire he still hasn't reached top speed; he had much more in the tank.

His consistency is unparalelled amongst this field never running poor or never finishing weak, and I just think he will love to hear the clang of that stride on dirt. Coming into the week, I wouldn't have even thought about him, but after seeing the replays, looking at his blood, and his picture-perfect amount of races and time between races, I just love him on Saturday.

Also: Could Corey Nakatani have given him a better education any more than he did in this race? Even and controlled pace, shuffled back, weaving, straightening for an energetic finish. This horse is now a trained and battle-tested warrior that Big Brown will have to keep running to stay ahead of; I think the Colonel might have some of his dad in him; he really showed the will to compete.


Watching the replays of his races At SA i noticed he does'nt take hold of the track well. See that with a lot of the horse's there.Could that explain the slow times? Since his shipping to CD he has come out in aces with the workout really taking hold of the track,he's got that fire in his eyes & physically's looks everybit the part.


Agree 100% about the accessment of Cory.This duo is the one that scares
the bejesus out of me! Will be one of 3 on top of my tickets.

[Mister Sanderson]

Colonel John got shuffled a bit after a sandwiched break.. one of the very few with any excuses in here, but Big Brown is something else. 4-5 wide the entire way, and cruised. So Impressive; Terrible news about Larry's Filly, Randy Moss said that was probably the worst thing that's happened in the Derby ever. Sad

[deltasports]

ALL THOSE POLY HORSES WILL GO BACK TO CA..I HAVE SAID BEFORE THAT BIG BROWN & POSSIBLY PYRO WERE THE ONLY ONES ON THE TOP SELF & THE REST OF THE WANNABEES WERE ON THE 2ND THIRD & 4TH SHELVES.& YES THEY PROVED THAT TODAY..ON ANOTHER NOTE RE: HARTY.HE WAS BAFFERTS ASSISTANT ( BOTH LOOSERS) do; do;

[Mister Sanderson]

Setting emotions and namecalling aside, I think if watched closely that a case can be made for Colonel John ran the 3rd best of anyone today.

Behind the winner and the filly; he broke getting sandwiched back to next to last, the pace up front was very controlled and he was shuffled again trying to establish position; then, we he came running there was just way too much to do, and he put in a quick and strong and very Wide move (when no one moved from the back or middle of the pack other than the rail skimming Denis of Cork)... by mid stretch he didn't have the stamina to make up any more ground while churning on evenly. I would definitely consider him for a board finish if he were in the Preakness.

I think Colonel John has much more than he showed today. It was his first dirt race, and he can improve I believe, and you will see a much sharper horse in the Preakness. Also, a smaller field might help him get his long stride going better. That said, I think the Dutrow colt will win the next two.

This is not about making the boldest statement, it's about learning. Did anyone else analyze the trip? Again, other than the top 2 and John, I never really saw a significant move in the race. Above was bashing Harty and Baffert two years ago if you want to check the log, so that really is more of a personal thing rather than informative. Also, was bashing Dutrow not too long ago for not being half of the horseman his dad was. Well, there's a Derby and couple of Breeders Cups' and possibly another Horse of the Year to add to Saint Liam. When I start a thread, all I want is to give/receive useful information and helpful tips. Inuendo can be saved for a Yahoo blog or something.

[mister zesterhouse]

dutrow's 1-9 in there. i much too envious of IeAH to root for them.

[Mister Sanderson]

dutrow's 1-9 in there. i much too envious of IeAH to root for them.
I don't mind rooting for them. You may not like Dick's brash nature, and aggressive opinions, but I kind of find him interesting. He is totally off the cuff, and speaks his mind. He was right in a big way BTW; I think for the sport of racing it would really boost interest if were to happen, And is a good thing. More people should know how great this sport is. And I've never seen one before.

[mister zesterhouse]

I don't mind rooting for them. You may not like Dick's brash nature, and aggressive opinions, but I kind of find him interesting. He is totally off the cuff, and speaks his mind. He was right in a big way BTW; I think for the sport of racing it would really boost interest if were to happen, And is a good thing. More people should know how great this sport is. And I've never seen one before.

always been a fan of dutrow, always biased for eccentrics and love the story of the 140k to win on st.liam in bc. trip crow good for racing for sure but how many times now in recent history--smarty wins if jd doesn't sacrifce eddington and solis rock hard ten.
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/06/13/spt_sptzhor1a.html

silver charm outfinished by touch gold, real quiet by the shorter nose i've ever seen. fupig 2-5 in the preakenss. a Bernardini waiting in the wings? probably not though. charismatic breaks down.

this is a monster though. if pat reynolds still had him i'd be more on board.

[diamondjoe]

dutrow's 1-9 in there. i much too envious of IeAH to root for them.



Agreed!, but if he's not the super horse, then he will be vulnerable in the Belmont. The Preakness will not be more than just watching, but the Belmont?.........

[Mister Sanderson]

Apparently the only horse even being considered for the Preakness out of the Derby other than Big Brown is Recapture the Glory, and he is unlikely. I guess this is mainly an admission that they can't beat him.

[Mister Stigg]

Apparently the only horse even being considered for the Preakness out of the Derby other than Big Brown is Recapture the Glory, and he is unlikely. I guess this is mainly an admission that they can't beat him.

I guess 20% of at least a $1,000,000 isn't enough incentive? I mean, he's the best horse, no doubt, but it's horse racing. Things happen. Derby might have knocked him out. He may have sore feet. He might not run well off just two weeks. Somebody take a shot at Big Brown, for the love of the sport, for crying out loud!gah;
Fusaichi Pegasus couldn't lose the Preakness!

[mister zesterhouse]

I guess 20% of at least a $1,000,000 isn't enough incentive? I mean, he's the best horse, no doubt, but it's horse racing. Things happen. Derby might have knocked him out. He may have sore feet. He might not run well off just two weeks. Somebody take a shot at Big Brown, for the love of the sport, for crying out loud!gah;
Fusaichi Pegasus couldn't lose the Preakness!


Not sure there's anybody left, Stigg, seriously. Harlem Rocker yes. Stevil? Big Brown will sacrifice him...what ever happened to Nikki'sgoldensteed? Everybody plots the course for the Derby babe.

[mister zesterhouse]

Run Proud Spell against him.

[Mister Sanderson]

Run Proud Spell against him.
larry jones would've done that im sure. but after the eight belles thing im more sure he wont.
PETA would sodomize him

[danstep43]

I guess 20% of at least a $1,000,000 isn't enough incentive? I mean, he's the best horse, no doubt, but it's horse racing. Things happen. Derby might have knocked him out. He may have sore feet. He might not run well off just two weeks. Somebody take a shot at Big Brown, for the love of the sport, for crying out loud!gah;
Fusaichi Pegasus couldn't lose the Preakness!

I still say Bailey hit Fu-Peg on the snout with his whip in that race.......bh) bh)

I might consider El Gato Malo underneath if the value in the exacta is there.....