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    <title>Racing to the Kentucky Derby</title>
    <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords</link>
    <description>Zast's TrackWords column by HorseRaceInsider.com contributing writer, Vic Zast </description>
    <dc:language>en</dc:language>
    <dc:creator>Vic Zast</dc:creator>
    <dc:rights>Copyright 2011</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>2011-05-08T01:51:01-05:00</dc:date>
   
    

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      <title>Orb&#8217;s Right on Time</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/05132013&#45;orbs&#45;right&#45;on&#45;time/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[1. ORB is on schedule for the Preakness, if Monday morning’s workout was any indication. Beneath exercise rider Jennifer Patterson, Orb worked a sharp half&#45;mile in 47.18 after an opening quarter in 24:47, galloping out five&#45;eighths in 59.54 on a fast Belmont main track. “I thought it was breathtaking,” said Shug McGaughey, it sent chills up my back,” a Hall of Famer not known for his use of hyperbole. 2. REVOLUTIONARY is at Belmont Park taking five weeks off as &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[1. ORB is on schedule for the Preakness, if Monday morning’s workout was any indication. Beneath exercise rider Jennifer Patterson, Orb worked a sharp half&#45;mile in 47.18 after an opening quarter in 24:47, galloping out five&#45;eighths in 59.54 on a fast Belmont main track. “I thought it was breathtaking,” said Shug McGaughey, it sent chills up my back,” a Hall of Famer not known for his use of hyperbole. 2. REVOLUTIONARY is at Belmont Park taking five weeks off as &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-05-13T18:22:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Orb 3&#45;1 to Sweep Triple Crown</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/orb&#45;3&#45;1&#45;to&#45;sweep&#45;triple&#45;crown/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[The following is the ninth installment of the 2013 Triple Crown poll which will, as did earlier polls, focus on the race at hand. So, with an eye toward Baltimore, here is the HRI Preakness Power 10 (with polling points in parentheses): 1. ORB (48) &#45; A perfect score for the horse that has been perfect all year long, the 22nd Derby winner to emerge from the Florida Derby. This is no mere deep closer; he’s a horse that adapts &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[The following is the ninth installment of the 2013 Triple Crown poll which will, as did earlier polls, focus on the race at hand. So, with an eye toward Baltimore, here is the HRI Preakness Power 10 (with polling points in parentheses): 1. ORB (48) &#45; A perfect score for the horse that has been perfect all year long, the 22nd Derby winner to emerge from the Florida Derby. This is no mere deep closer; he’s a horse that adapts &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-05-06T18:50:01-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Kentucky Derby 139: History in the Waiting</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04292013&#45;kentucky&#45;derby&#45;139&#45;history&#45;in&#45;the&#45;waiting/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[And Close Hatches is an enormous talent capable of upsetting that trio. This group is so good that juvenile champion Beholder, who’s done nothing wrong at 3, places fifth on most Oaks depth charts. Entries for the Oaks will be taken Tuesday; the Derby on Wednesday. It would have been nice if both races could have been drawn a day earlier, giving fans an extra 24 hours for their handicapping. In the information age, and with also&#45;eligibles now part of &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[And Close Hatches is an enormous talent capable of upsetting that trio. This group is so good that juvenile champion Beholder, who’s done nothing wrong at 3, places fifth on most Oaks depth charts. Entries for the Oaks will be taken Tuesday; the Derby on Wednesday. It would have been nice if both races could have been drawn a day earlier, giving fans an extra 24 hours for their handicapping. In the information age, and with also&#45;eligibles now part of &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-04-29T13:24:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>HRI Derby Power 10 Week 8: No Changes at the Top</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04222013&#45;hri&#45;derby&#45;power&#45;10&#45;week&#45;8&#45;no&#45;changes&#45;at&#45;the&#45;top/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[1. Orb (40) has lost Johnny Velazquez, committed to Verrazano, but his replacement Joel Rosario is on track to set a riding standard at the present Keeneland meet. Orb’s workout (5F in 1:02), with a very strong gallop&#45;out at his Payson Park base Sunday, has Shug McGaughey over the moon. Arrive at Churchill Downs Monday morning with a work over the track next weekend. 2. Verrazano (38) Velazquez is expected to return from injuries suffered in a spill next Wednesday, &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[1. Orb (40) has lost Johnny Velazquez, committed to Verrazano, but his replacement Joel Rosario is on track to set a riding standard at the present Keeneland meet. Orb’s workout (5F in 1:02), with a very strong gallop&#45;out at his Payson Park base Sunday, has Shug McGaughey over the moon. Arrive at Churchill Downs Monday morning with a work over the track next weekend. 2. Verrazano (38) Velazquez is expected to return from injuries suffered in a spill next Wednesday, &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-04-22T16:03:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Rich Get Richer: Pletcher Has Three of HRI&#8217;s Top Power Five</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04142013&#45;rich&#45;get&#45;richer&#45;pletcher&#45;has&#45;three&#45;of&#45;hris&#45;top&#45;power&#45;five/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[1. Orb (40) has lost arguably America’s best big&#45;race rider in Johnny Velazquez, committed to Verrazano, but picks up America’s hottest rider of 2013, Joel Rosario, whose move to the New York&#45;South Florida circuit has advanced his reputation significantly. Rosario, of course, has ridden the colt before. 2. Verrazano (38) has retained Velazquez, who rides this colt for main client Todd Pletcher with complete confidence. Velazquez is expected to return from injuries suffered in a spill the Wednesday of Derby &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[1. Orb (40) has lost arguably America’s best big&#45;race rider in Johnny Velazquez, committed to Verrazano, but picks up America’s hottest rider of 2013, Joel Rosario, whose move to the New York&#45;South Florida circuit has advanced his reputation significantly. Rosario, of course, has ridden the colt before. 2. Verrazano (38) has retained Velazquez, who rides this colt for main client Todd Pletcher with complete confidence. Velazquez is expected to return from injuries suffered in a spill the Wednesday of Derby &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-04-14T18:42:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Risky Business on the Triple Crown Trail</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04082013&#45;risky&#45;business&#45;on&#45;the&#45;triple&#45;crown&#45;trail/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[1. VERRAZANO (42) went from a maiden first time starter on New Year’s Day to the top of the three&#45;year&#45;old leader board by virtue of a bnetter&#45;than&#45;it&#45;first&#45;appears Grade 1 Wood Memorial victory. He&apos;s now undefeated in four starts including two rounding two turns. The world should finally realize that, thus far, his class is a match for his brilliance. Had to love the way he fought off two stretch challengers last weekend. 2. Orb (41) was knocked off the top &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[1. VERRAZANO (42) went from a maiden first time starter on New Year’s Day to the top of the three&#45;year&#45;old leader board by virtue of a bnetter&#45;than&#45;it&#45;first&#45;appears Grade 1 Wood Memorial victory. He&apos;s now undefeated in four starts including two rounding two turns. The world should finally realize that, thus far, his class is a match for his brilliance. Had to love the way he fought off two stretch challengers last weekend. 2. Orb (41) was knocked off the top &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-04-08T13:42:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>HRI Derby Power 10, Week 5: Orb Shines Brightest</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04012013&#45;hri&#45;derby&#45;power&#45;10&#45;week&#45;5&#45;orb&#45;shines&#45;brightest/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[There’s no reason to think that Itsmyluckyday will be better in Kentucky than he was in South Florida on Saturday when making his first start in two months. Five weeks before the Derby looks like a good schedule. As for Shanghai Bobby, he wasn’t very good on Saturday, but also had very little chance under the circumstances. It looked like Elvis Trujillo was determined to keep Bobby and Rosie in a box. Consequently, Shanghai Bobby never got a chance to &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[There’s no reason to think that Itsmyluckyday will be better in Kentucky than he was in South Florida on Saturday when making his first start in two months. Five weeks before the Derby looks like a good schedule. As for Shanghai Bobby, he wasn’t very good on Saturday, but also had very little chance under the circumstances. It looked like Elvis Trujillo was determined to keep Bobby and Rosie in a box. Consequently, Shanghai Bobby never got a chance to &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-04-01T21:15:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Uncaptured Makes the Grade</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/03252013&#45;uncaptured&#45;makes&#45;the&#45;grade/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[* * * It is unlikely that the weekend’s prep races and going to cause much stirring at the top of most polls. But that doesn’t mean these races should be afforded a modicum of respect. The ungraded Rushaway Stakes just might have produced a bona fide Belmont Stakes contender in Crop Report. Governor Charlie, winner of the Sunland Derby, looks like a decent prospect, ridden and finishing up as if much of the best of that group. Therein lies &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[* * * It is unlikely that the weekend’s prep races and going to cause much stirring at the top of most polls. But that doesn’t mean these races should be afforded a modicum of respect. The ungraded Rushaway Stakes just might have produced a bona fide Belmont Stakes contender in Crop Report. Governor Charlie, winner of the Sunland Derby, looks like a decent prospect, ridden and finishing up as if much of the best of that group. Therein lies &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-03-25T12:40:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>HRI Derby Power 10, Week 3: The Coach Has Two for the Big Dance</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/03172013&#45;hri&#45;derby&#45;power&#45;10&#45;week&#45;3&#45;the&#45;coach&#45;has&#45;two&#45;for&#45;the&#45;big&#45;dance/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[The ground loss into the clubhouse turn could not be helped, the product of early speed, an outside post and a first turn that comes up quickly. Oxbow was good enough to handle the ground loss and still win—of Smith had not made too much use of him the rest of the way. Remaining wide on the backstretch, Smith asked his mount to stay within striking distance of the favorite instead of allowing his horse to settle more comfortably. Then, &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[The ground loss into the clubhouse turn could not be helped, the product of early speed, an outside post and a first turn that comes up quickly. Oxbow was good enough to handle the ground loss and still win—of Smith had not made too much use of him the rest of the way. Remaining wide on the backstretch, Smith asked his mount to stay within striking distance of the favorite instead of allowing his horse to settle more comfortably. Then, &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-03-17T19:58:00-05:00</dc:date>
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      <title>HRI Derby Power 10, Week 2: It&#8217;s a G&#45;G&#45;G&#45;G&#45;&#45;h&#45;o&#45;s&#45;t</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/hri&#45;derby&#45;power&#45;10&#45;week&#45;2&#45;its&#45;a&#45;g&#45;g&#45;g&#45;g&#45;g&#45;h&#45;o&#45;o&#45;o&#45;s&#45;t/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[1. ORB (37): All’s quiet in the Shug shed as the Phipps&#45;Janney runner moves inexorably closer for the Florida Derby in three weeks. But the dinner talk at the Velazquez household where agent Angel Cordero Jr. often finds himself must have been pretty interesting last night. Johnny rides for both McGaughey (Point of Entry) and long&#45;time client Todd Pletcher (Verrazano). Indulto doubts Johnny’s locked in anywhere yet; agreed. Can’t have too many live mounts on the Road to Louisville. It’s &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2013 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[1. ORB (37): All’s quiet in the Shug shed as the Phipps&#45;Janney runner moves inexorably closer for the Florida Derby in three weeks. But the dinner talk at the Velazquez household where agent Angel Cordero Jr. often finds himself must have been pretty interesting last night. Johnny rides for both McGaughey (Point of Entry) and long&#45;time client Todd Pletcher (Verrazano). Indulto doubts Johnny’s locked in anywhere yet; agreed. Can’t have too many live mounts on the Road to Louisville. It’s &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2013-03-11T15:19:00-05:00</dc:date>
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