Kentucky Derby 2009

[Moderator1]

Saw this at my old haunt's site and all it did was remind me the Derby is Saturday. Damn.
I cannot name one Derby contender. Is it just me or does no one give a **** anymore?

I did OK on Big Brown in the Derby last year. Someone give me a winner. Not Quality Road, thanks.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/equestrian/polo_horse_racing_rodeo/article/QUALITYROAD_20090427-094804/264223/

 

[GB-Hack]

I'll let you know, Moddy. I may head out to the local track Saturday for an afternoon of horses and fun.

 

[cranberry]

Not exciting but I'm planning to box an exacta on I Want Revenge and Dunkirk.

 

[trifectarich]

Dunkirk is likely your race-time favorite, but with only three lifetime starts and none in the six weeks leading up to the Derby, I see him as far from a sure thing.

I don't know if Summer Bird is going to make the field, but if it does, there's your stretch-runner that'll be passing lots of horses in the final furlong.

I like Frankie Dettori in a big race and a couple of my tickets are sure to include Desert Party.

Good luck to all.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Dunkirk sounds like a good Derby-winning name.

 

[cranberry]

Dunkirk is likely your race-time favorite, but with only three lifetime starts and none in the six weeks leading up to the Derby, I see him as far from a sure thing.

Odd route, to be sure, but I have to believe Pletcher knows what he's doing.

 

[JackReacher]

There's a contender named Summer Bird? Well then....that's my horse!

 

[Ace]

Dunkirk is likely your race-time favorite, but with only three lifetime starts and none in the six weeks leading up to the Derby, I see him as far from a sure thing.

Odd route, to be sure, but I have to believe Pletcher knows what he's doing.

Pletcher is 0-for-21 in the Derby, isn't he?

 

[cranberry]

Dunkirk is likely your race-time favorite, but with only three lifetime starts and none in the six weeks leading up to the Derby, I see him as far from a sure thing.

Odd route, to be sure, but I have to believe Pletcher knows what he's doing.

Pletcher is 0-for-21 in the Derby, isn't he?

Something like that. Got his first Triple Crown race in the '07 Belmont with Rags to Riches.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Dunkirk is likely your race-time favorite, but with only three lifetime starts and none in the six weeks leading up to the Derby, I see him as far from a sure thing.

Odd route, to be sure, but I have to believe Pletcher knows what he's doing.

Pletcher is 0-for-21 in the Derby, isn't he?

Something like that. Got his first Triple Crown race in the '07 Belmont with Rags to Riches.

Still 0-for-Triple Crown with non-fillies.

 

[cranberry]

The guy's horses have won a few Grade 1 races and earned a little money, though.

 

[spnited]

Has there ever been less buzz about the Derby than this?

 

[Freelance Hack]

I'd offer up General Quarters as a value pick, but I fear my fellow locals will drive down his value because of the sentiment toward the owner/trainer.

Spnited, I'd agree there's been less national buzz about the Derby, but I think that's due to the lack of one big stud horse. There are probably 5-8 legit contenders this year.

 

[SoCalDude]

Horse racing might not outlast newspapers.
There was a story last week that the Breeders' Cup could be pulled from Santa Anita this fall because some guarantees are not being met and the bankruptcy filing of its ownership.
Hollywood Park opened Wednesday with about 4,000 in attendance, and only about 7,000 showed up Saturday. That track already was ticketed for closure for a retail and residential area, but, oddly, because of the economy, it's more feasible right now to keep it as a race track.

 

[Cosmo]

Seth Wickersham had an excellent piece in the last ESPN the Mag on horse track vets and the process involved when horses come up lame and have to be put down. Really a good read.

I don't know Seth at all, but he's pretty much a must-read any time I see his byline. The man can write a story.

 

[The Good Doctor]

There's a contender named Summer Bird? Well then....that's my horse!

HA!

 

[JackReacher]

There's a contender named Summer Bird? Well then....that's my horse!

HA!

You're one of like four people on this board who would get that. Glad it didn't go un-noticed or un-appreciated. :)

 

[Freelance Hack]

Horse racing might not outlast newspapers.
There was a story last week that the Breeders' Cup could be pulled from Santa Anita this fall because some guarantees are not being met and the bankruptcy filing of its ownership.
Hollywood Park opened Wednesday with about 4,000 in attendance, and only about 7,000 showed up Saturday. That track already was ticketed for closure for a retail and residential area, but, oddly, because of the economy, it's more feasible right now to keep it as a race track.

As a national sport, I'd agree with you. It's still doing well in pockets of the country.

Heck, Maryland has been considering drastic action just to keep Pimlico and its track open.

I'm not saying this will happen, but it wouldn't surprise me to see the Preakness run elsewhere in less than 10 years.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

According to both the Form and the Blood-Horse, Quality Road is OUT.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

The guy's horses have won a few Grade 1 races and earned a little money, though.

From time to time. Appreciably better with females of any age than with colts, though. Funny how that works out.