SARATOGA SPRINGS, MAY 9, 2011--In the end, the splintered run-up to this year’s Kentucky Derby turned out to be a perfect harbinger of future events. In the racing paper of record, 30 prep races were listed in its Derby section this winter and spring.
Of those 30 preps, only two managed to produce repeat winners. But Dialed In could beat only half the field while the other, Archarcharch, to his credit, beat four rivals despite a slipped saddle and condylar fracture that sadly ended a promising racing career.
There would have been a third had Daily Racing Form included Aqueduct’s Whirlaway Stakes in its stakes prep lineup, however, subsequent Wood Memorial winner Toby’s Corner never made it into the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
Indeed, only seven of the 20 starters on Saturday won two races of any kind in 2011, several of those, plus a few others, ran more than three times this season. Five colts went into the Derby having only two preps.
After watching the replay several times, it might not have mattered. Animal Kingdom was that much the best, aided by pluperfect handling from Johnny Velazquez, who might experience a second score should the Hall of Fame committee announce later this week that he will be among this year’s inductees.
Animal Kingdom showed extreme class despite his inexperience, the Derby being only his fifth lifetime start. He has now won on Polytrack at two different venues, would have beaten 10 turf rivals if not for a poor start in his season’s debut at Gulfstream and, of course, beat his 18 foes on Saturday with authority.
As it turned out, Derby 137 was remarkably trouble free from a trips perspective and a number of horses ran very well, including the next four runners-up; Nehro, Mucho Mach Man, Shackleford and Master of Hounds.
And this doesn’t include the beaten favorite, Dialed In, who sped passed all but seven rivals and racing last of 19 for much of the way behind the slowest Derby fractions in two decades, finishing his last half-mile faster than the winner; :47.02 compared to 47.52.
Perhaps it was appropriate that a “turf-synthetic specialist” should win a Derby with a race shape more closely resembling a synthetic surface or turf course more than a conventional dirt track, with the first half-mile clocked in :48.63 and a final four furlongs in :48.64.
Either way, the fresh winner’s turn of foot was electric, the kind of style that often wins a Preakness, Pimlico’s mythical tight turns and all.
The first, third, fourth and eighth place finishers will run back in Baltimore where they will meet at least nine new shooters, possibly 10 if Bob Baffert elects to enter The Factor. Given the Derby pace scenario, that would seem prudent.
Bullet Bob could decide to race Midnight Interlude back also. This lightly raced colt finished 16th on Saturday while racing a little rank early but appeared to empty out when the real running began.
Steve Asmussen could start runnerup Nehro but that colt’s had a lot of racing this spring and Asmussen has an excellent option in Astrology, whose style neatly fits the pace dynamic at Pimlico.
Other worthy newcomers expected to hop on the Triple Crown trail are the Arkansas Derby’s third and fourth finishers; Dance City and Sway Away.
Time to move on to HRI’s Post Derby-Pre Preakness Rankings:
1. Animal Kingdom - Proved 72 hours ago that he will be a force to be reckoned with the rest of this season. Graham Motion said he’s excited to run in his home state in a fortnight and, as we know, Graham Motion never lies.
2. Toby’s Corner - No idea where this guy will show up next having come out of the Wood a little worse for the wear. But show up he will, in more ways than one. Suddenly it’s Graham Motion who’s on top of the racing world.
3. Nehro - As honest as they come but he’s done a lot of developing in a short period of time. Asmussen handled him masterfully during Derby week, backing off him for several days while the colt recharged his batteries.
4. Mucho Macho Man - As honest as they come, Part 2, this guy just keeps coming and coming. He could have been discouraged when Animal Kingdom ran by but instead dug in and just missed second.
5. Dialed In - His Derby was better than the eighth-place finish looked at first blush. And Nick Zito has 5-½ million reasons to have him benefit off the light Derby training schedule.
6. Archarcharch - This will likely be the last week his name will appear here given that he’s been retired. But he deserves recognition for two stakes triumphs including the always tough Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
7. Shackleford - Just because he was helped by the unusually soft Derby pace doesn’t mean he hasn’t earned recognition. He’s run well twice in a row, including a game second to the subsequent Kentucky Derby favorite at Gulfstream.
8. Uncle Mo - He’ll be back, apparently, but the question is when. Will be receiving hyperbaric chamber treatment at Winstar Farm in the hopes of resurrecting his juvenile championship form.
9. Midnight Interlude - His inexperience showed in Louisville but his Santa Anita Derby has earned him recognition and respect among his peers. Came a long way in a short time and could be an excellent second-season prospect. I see a Haskell in his future.
10. Brilliant Speed - I see the Secretariat Stakes in his future, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Belongs here thanks to his Blue Grass. Finished well too late with a very wide rally on Saturday, beaten less than 6 lengths for it all.
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10 May 2011 at 07:25 am | #
Didn’t one of Todd Pletcher’s horses, Super Saver perhaps, get hyperbaric treatment last year after his form went into the tank?
10 May 2011 at 09:02 am | #
“Perhaps it was appropriate that a “turf-synthetic specialist” should win a Derby with a race shape more closely resembling a synthetic surface or turf course more than a conventional dirt track, with the first half-mile clocked in :48.63 and a final four furlongs in :48.64.”
I suppose it depends on what your definition of a specialist is, so if what you meant was that his experience to date was on these surfaces, then disregard the remainder of this paragraph..... but to me labeling a horse a “turf-synthetic specialist,” when he has had only 4 races in his lifetime is somewhat irresponsible, for so many reasons.
In the beginning, God created the main track and the turf course, and designed the horses to run on these surfaces; he knew what he was doing. Man made synthetic surfaces thinking he could improve on the Almighty’s infinite wisdom; perhaps next we will attempt to breed horses with 6 legs.
TTT
10 May 2011 at 10:48 am | #
Ted,
I hate to tell you this, but people created dirt racetracks. Nowhere in nature will you find natural soil with the exact structure and components of an engineered dirt racetrack in North America.
If you doubt that, take your horse out to a plowed field and give it a shot.
Modern dirt racetracks are as similar to natural soil as a Twinkie is to bread baked from scratch.
When horses raced in “dirt” in the 18th century it was one of two situations. Either it was on a road built by men, or a pasture where traffic had worn out the grass and left the native dirt behind.
Grass, on the other hand, is a natural surface.
10 May 2011 at 02:36 pm | #
I hate to tell you this, but those individuals whose main objective is to intentionally misrepresent the statements of others, to discredit them, for the express purpose of attempting to make themselves look knowledgeable, is sickening. You should give it up, because you fail miserably, and all you do is waste my time having to point out your motivation. An intelligent person who read my statement above, which says: “In the beginning, God created the main track and the turf course....” obviously refers to a simpler time before man began to manipulate surfaces. To pervert the statements of others is a sign of a sick individual. Thanks for your deep, deep, cerebral insights, and your first grade lessons, perhaps you could get a job in an elementary school where they might appreciate your astounding level of knowledge.
TTT
TTT
10 May 2011 at 03:11 pm | #
Goer, you did not offend me in the least. And indeed, the dirt tracks of today are unnatural. But it has not always been that way. That was my whole point. They have been manipulated for man’s purposes; speed, speed, and more speed; better drainage, all for man’s precious bottom line, not for the welfare of the horse. The statement I made above regarding: “In the beginning,” meant what it said, meaning that the surface that God intended these horses to run on is natural earth/turf.
Thanks for your honest and forthright concern. You’ve always been aces in my book.
TTT
10 May 2011 at 03:11 pm | #
Harsh, Ted. Very harsh.
I thought the internet and comments were meant to elicit spirited debate of a good-natured sort.
I am sorry if you find someone commenting on your comments so hurtful.
As my momma told me, “Hush your mouth, son!”
10 May 2011 at 03:16 pm | #
In the words of Barry Goldwater in 1964: “In your heart, you know I’m right.”
TTT
10 May 2011 at 03:19 pm | #
To Whom It May Concern:
Barry wasn’t.
10 May 2011 at 04:05 pm | #
TTT,
You’re back! Where’ve you been? There were a lot of people checking in concerned about you. But, wow, taking me to task like that. Thought it was Wendell for a moment.
Anyway, all Animal Kingdom proved prior to Saturday was that he was a turf/synthetic specialist. What do I mean by that? OK, since you asked.
I have never seen a horse in this country ever referred to as a dirt specialist. That’s what we do in this country; race on dirt. My description wasn’t menat to categorize this horse forever; just what he’s done up until the Derby.
Good to have you back. Meantime, carry on boys!
10 May 2011 at 04:30 pm | #
Thanks for the clarification; understood.
10 May 2011 at 04:33 pm | #
Communicating at times can be difficult in a forum such as this, as persons often misconstrue the meaning and intent of others. When persons attribute certain ideas based upon things written by others, which are erroneous, and attempt to school them, it must be addressed, and when a pattern develops, the persons motives must be questioned and brought into the light, which is all I have done, and will continue to do. I urge and long for persons with different ideas than my own. I despise when a person attempts to attribute an idea which could not be further from the truth. There is nothing worse than having to defend yourself against something you have not said, or believe.
Sorry this had to be said, and no Nicky, I don’t “protest too much,” I’ve only just begun.
TTT
11 May 2011 at 05:03 am | #
Ted,
I’m glad to hear you will continue to comment and protest as you see fit. That’s what free expression is all about.
Along with that should come the realization that others aren’t just going to fold their hands and blithely accept something with which they disagree, or find incorrect.
If you, JRP, Vic, or anyone else says something like ‘the sun rises in the west’ I’m going to object every time it’s said. It has nothing to do with that individual personally, and if you think it does, you need to think again.
11 May 2011 at 05:43 am | #
My only “protests” (your accusation from a previous article) on this website have been against your obvious spinning of my words; what your game is, who knows, who cares.
If you continue to attempt to turn any of my statements into something they are not, which pattern has developed, and caused me to continue to correct you, including my statement about God making horses to run on natural surfaces, yes, I will continue to protest and point out exactly what you are doing, and if you think that I will simply allow you to do so, without pointing out your indiscretions, you better think again, and save the history lessons for Track Facts, I graduated from the third grade Nick, you can look it up (your words).
I reiterate that in the beginning, “God created the main track and the turf course.” Nick, let me give you a lesson, as you obviously do not know the meaning of IN THE BEGINNING. It means “a rudimentary stage or early period.” “The start.” “The earliest point.” Perhaps now you can attempt to understand my point. Study this hard Nick, and try to focus, I know you can grasp my meaning.
TTT