April 15, 2013
The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes
I watched the replay of the Toyota Blue
Grass Stakes, and it certainly was a nail biting finish for the owner Charles Fipke and the trainer Kenneth
McPeek of Java’s War.
In the majority of his previous races, Java’s War has experienced bad luck leaving the gate. For whatever
reason―he got
left, yet again, in the Blue Grass. Looking at his past performances, it would
appear this horse prefers to run wide and on the outside for the most part.
So it was no surprise when Java’s War made
his bid on the far outside, in the fourteen horse field of the Blue Grass. Really on the far outside is
just what it was to, and then he was carried out even further at the head of
the lane.
While it is always impressive when a
horse comes from far off the pace to win, especially when they are forced
to take the overland route, I didn’t find Java’s Wars finish inspiring enough
to make him my favorite for the Kentucky Derby.
The hold your breath finish was about, “can
he hold on” for one set of owners, or “can he catch them in time” by the other
set. In the charge for the wire, among those still in contention, there was a lot of tail switching, saggy ears, lead changes, and rubbery
legs going on from the sixteenth pole to the wire.
Java's War is obviously a very talented horse, no doubt
about it, and looking at his past performances, with continued good health, I
think Java’s War―next year as a four year old, will be a force to
be reckoned with on the turf. As for this years Kentucky Derby, with a big field,
anything can happen, although Java’s Wars worst race did come over the Churchill
Downs surface.
On the “Casual Lies – A Triple Crown
Adventure” front, there have been more good reviews and I am thrilled about
what people are saying. Here is the link, if you want to take a look.
Take care and thank you for reading my
posts,
Shelley Riley
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