Summary:
I’ve posted a lot of handicapper picks for the Florida Derby over the last several days. In a profession geared towards taking a stance even if it means ignoring other reasonable possibilities, it’s refreshing to read Gary West’s analysis. With young three-year-olds still maturing, going new distances, and experiencing different pace scenarios he says it would be best if experts sometimes said, “I don’t know”. He still makes his picks in the end, like any handicapper should, but it illustrates the numerous angles one can take in the Florida Derby// Several nice background articles on To Honor And Serve and Bill Mott today// A decision has finally been made for Jaycito. Trainer Bob Baffert has opted to stay home in the Santa Anita Derby. He’ll face Premier Pegasus who worked a brisk 5 furlongs in 59:20 today. It was the fastest of all works at the distance. Trainer Myung Cho says the long delay between his last race and first work was by design seeing as the horse routinely gallops 2 miles. There are some really striking photos of PrePeg and other Santa Anita Derby contenders this morning taken by Alex Evers. I’ve put the link below// Watch Me Go, who didn’t enter the Florida Derby as planned due to a scope with mucus, may go the Illinois Derby route. That race’s field is questionable- yes, both in field size and overall Kentucky Derby potential// more…
Entries:
Florida Derby (G1) entries, articles, PPs, and video here
Futures:
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #3 is live here
Articles:
Florida Derby
· Mott eager to sing praises of To Honor And Serve again (Lexington Herald Leader)
· To Honor And Serve looks for redemption in Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park)
· Mott: To Honor and Serve ready to go (Brisnet)
· Mott looks for more from To Honor And Serve (Bloodhorse)
· Kentucky Derby gets a preview in daunting Florida Derby (Lexington Herald Leader)
· Soldat favored in Florida Derby (Courier Journal)
· Soldat, Dialed In likely in need of Flashpoint’s speed (Courier Journal)
· Top Florida Derby Contenders worry about losing in a flash (Miami Herald)
· Deep Florida Derby has trainers in the know (The Brock Talk)
· Flashpoint among hopefuls in $1 million Florida Derby (Ocala.com)
· Derby beach battle (Smile Politely)
· Clarity or more confusion after Florida Derby (A Saturday Afternoon Horse)
· Florida Derby- To duel is to die (A Leg Up Blog)
Illinois Derby
Santa Anita Derby and works:
· Jaycito staying for Santa Anita Derby (Bloodhorse) (DRF)
· Alternation still possible for Arkansas Derby (Bloodhorse)
Kentucky Derby Misc:
· Family races to Uncle Mo (NY Daily News)
· Derby Trends: The 6 week layoff (The Derby Post)
· Who is Norman Asbjornson (Zipse At The Derby)
· Mike Repole Blog: Derby Mo-Jo Part III: Final prep time (Bloodhorse Blog)
· Kentucky Derby Future Wager- Uncle Mo favored in Pool #3 (DRF) (Bloodhorse)
Pictures:
Handicapper Picks:
· Handicapping the preps: Florida Derby (Gary West Blog)
· Mike Dempsey: Florida Derby picks (Turf ‘n’ Sport)
Works:
· Sour: KEE- 5F- 1.03:20- B- 43/63
· Justin Phillip: BEL- 5F- 1.01:86- B- 3/13
· Santiva: PMM- 6F- 1.13:50- B- 1/2
· Smoke It Right: OP- 5F- 1.01:20- B- 4/37
· Alternation: OP- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 6/37
· Norman Asbjornson: Bowie- 5F- 59:00- H- 1/19
· Premier Pegasus: SA- 5F- 59:20- H- 1/17
· Jaycito: SA- 6F- 1.13:40- H- 3/4
· Manicero: CRC- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 1/32
