Dear
Readers,
Oh boy, now I get to talk about a
race I’ve had first-hand experience with. The (GI) Santa Anita Derby. Take a
moment and think about some of the horses who have graced the Santa Anita
course over the years. How about in 1992, where the first three finishers were
A.P. Indy, Bertrando and Casual Lies?
This Saturday there will be eight
horses contesting the one-mile and one-eighth distance. There are always surprises
in horse racing. Even the really big and prestigious races like the Santa Anita
Derby and the Kentucky Derby, are not immune to an upset victory by a horse that
had everybody scratching their heads when they saw his name come out on the
overnight.
We all know how favors can be called
in, and arms twisted to get another entry to fill an important race. I think there
might be a sore elbow or two in the barn area at Santa Anita today. But then
again, back in 1992, they were scratching their heads over my horse.
So here
are my thoughts.
1.
Rprettyboyfloyd
– You
know, this is a nice colt. The distance will help him, if not the company. But
in all truth, he’s one win away from being a serious contender in some
interesting races. This is a mean bunch to try to show that though. Blinkers on
might make it more interesting.
2.
Friendswith
K Mill – Would be a surprise.
3.
Hoppertunity – He could
end up the speed in this race. Note that he ran behind Rprettyboyfloyd and Hoppertunity does seem to fire every
other time. A rather disturbing pattern.
4.
Big
Tire
– Well he broke his maiden and he does look to be improving. But this is a big jump.
5.
California
Chrome – He’s been known to throw a clinker, but it looks like he
forgot how. I love the way this horse moves. He wins off by so far that you can’t
really tell what he will do if he gets hooked in the last eighth of a mile. To
me, he doesn’t look like he gets out of a high gallop, at least for him, once
he gets in front. I’m a big fan, but those clinkers?
6.
Candy
Boy
– This horse is definitely a contender.
7.
Schoolofhardrocks – Would
be surprise. But he is a nice colt.
8.
Dublin
Up
– He could show some speed, but I think it would be a big mistake.
So who do I
think will win? Well it seems so obvious that it bothers me. And yet, I would
love to see California Chrome win.
This race is going to be tougher than anything he’s run in before, no doubt
about it. But I can’t bet against a horse that wins like this horse has been
winning. However, there are still those pesky clinkers he’s thrown in the
distant past.
I don’t
like to bet on runaway favorites, so I would put my money; win, place and show
on Candy Boy. Then I would sit back
and enjoy the big day, and recall the memories of people climbing to the top of
the light standards to scream “Come on Stanley.”
Take care,
Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown
Adventure, finalist in the Castleton Lyon Dr. Tony Ryan Award.
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