Just a quick note since it’s been a while since I have posted. Got busy with life and my 9-5 gig, and haven’t logged much ‘capping time unfortunately. I have an event tomorrow afternoon that I am hoping will be over in time to see the preps. I am a huge Bolt D’oro fan, and can’t wait to see where he picks up. I thought Good Magic looked like a classic “needs a race “horse last weekend… Since the goal is to win three Triple Crown races I really can’t fault his effort, and thought he found his best stride wait… Have to remember he is extremely lightly raced to this point as well

Below are my notes from a couple weeks ago that I never had time to post.

Enjoy the preps this weekend !

These were meant to be Monday musings after the Southwest Stakes, but somehow it’s now Thursday!

I’m not ready to buy in to my boy Jack being a real legitimate derby contender. It appeared to me that there was a huge rail bias in the stretch at Oaklawn, and perhaps your closing by us as well as both Hawaakom and imy boy Jack posted strong rallies in that fashion. Desormeaux deserves credit for giving him a dream boot-scraping trip. Jack was well back of McKinzie last time Out, and while not impossible that he is improved that much, I will discount slightly for now….

I am enjoying documenting the derby trail for the first time (though I have followed avidly four years) as articulating my thoughts helps to solidify them… It’s still strikes me how early in the process we are in trying to narrow down candidates for the derby win. Still plenty of time for relative unload to jump up and grab the spotlight with the many preps yet to come

I will, however, endorse sporting chances return to the races… He ended up finishing a good second and dealt with some interference in first race back off of the layoff. He did not back up quite as badly as Mourinho. As we have discussed before the chief knows how to get one ready, and the seasonal bow for sporting chance has done nothing to discount his chances.

Mourinho stopped pretty badly at the top of the stretch. Van Dyke said he was “swimming” in the track, and he got some pace pressure. I will look at it as a negative but will keep him among the top prospects on a dry track.

An updated Derby ranking will follow soon …