Derby Dozen Volume V Has Arrived
After spending two weeks in second place behind ESKENDEREYA after the previous poll, LOOKIN AT LUCKY reasserted his dominance over the WirePlayers Derby Dozen.Although he only beat NOBLE’S PROMISE by a whisker, you can argue LUCKY’s victory was more impressive than ESKENDEREYA’s romp in the Fountain of Youth. LUCKY got jostled on the backstretch and stumbled badly. Both LUCKY and Garrett Gomez regained their composure and out-dueled NOBLE’S PROMISE and Robby Albarado down the stretch. Of course, I had NOBLE’s PROMISE to win so I was none to pleased with the outcome, but it was a heckuva race. Ditto for the Tampa Bay Derby.
At the other end of the poll, our friend DROSSELMEYER is languishing in the twelve hole. How he does in the next race will determine if he’s a legitimate Derby contender. Bill Mott is one of the class acts in horse racing and a few voters are giving his colt one more shot.
Many thanks those who’ve contributed time and brain power to the Derby Dozen. Please peruse our list and let us know your opinion.
Our esteemed Derby Dozen panel: not all of them scream at the TV when their horses are running down the stretch, but I’m sure some of ‘em do.
Rob from Amateurcapper
Brian from Railrunner
Carly Kaiser
Geno from EquiSpace
Jessica Paquette
The Turk
Dylan Jarmulowicz
The Zipster from Zipse at the Track
Norm from The Knight Sky Racing blog
Steve from WirePlayers.com
16 March 2010, 7:29 pm
Insightful as always, but hey, when do I get invited to add my witty comments? Forgetaboutit…just check my Derby Baker’s Dozen at my blog…
16 March 2010, 8:10 pm
Your comment on Eskendereya is killing me Steve.
About Drosselmeyer, i feel your pain.
16 March 2010, 10:34 pm
Thanks Tony, you provided lots to chew on in your Derby Dozen. I was dismissive of INTERACTIF’s chances and he threw a big ‘ole wrench in my San Felipe exacta and trifecta. I may have to reevaluate his chances to hit the board May 1st . . .
Tencent, sorry about the Risen Star, but it’s good to know I wasn’t alone. Maybe he’ll come through next time out; after all, he owes us one.
16 March 2010, 11:12 pm
Great list as always and I’m glad to see Lookin At Lucky back at the #1 spot.
Conveyance is getting way more respect than I thought he would…could that have anything to do with Baffert? I like him more and more myself.
I’ve got to start stepping up the creative flow with my comments on the dozen, eveyone is thinking up some real doozies!
17 March 2010, 3:02 pm
You guys are getting closer.
So far the Risen Star has been the fullest Grade 2 field on the Derby Trail. The Louisiana Derby will help determine if there was any quality in that quantity.
17 March 2010, 4:36 pm
Love that LaL is back on top. I know that Coveyance, Rule, Jackson Bend and Noble’s Promise have distance questions, but horses have outrun pedigree before, which could happen again here. American Lion dissapointed, but I really think a transition to dirt will help him. I did a Q & A with Eoin Harty yesterday and he said that he thinks the colt will do better on dirt as well.
Eski is still not my favorite, but I have been wrong before. I’m going to wait and see a little longer on Sidney’s Candy.
Dublin could still redeem himself. He may have bounce a little, plus Nakatani put in a bit of a questionable ride, IMO. He and horses like Super Saver and Caracortado should not be forgotten. SS ran a nice useful race off a layoff and Caracotado ran as well as he could considering the pace.
My top ten would be LaL, Rule, NP, Conveyance, Dublin, Eski, “scarface”, Super Saver, RtG, and JB. This is in no particular order.
17 March 2010, 9:49 pm
LDP,
Just read your interview with Eoin – very well done!
Definitely seems that getting AL on dirt would improve his chances. I kinda expected him to do better in his 2nd try around two turns, but he was rank again and wouldn’t relax. He may just need some time off.
I agree w/ your top ten more or less except I’m not too high on RtG though. I’ll make him prove me wrong in the LA Derby.