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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>2011-05-08T01:51:01-06:00</dc:date>
   
    

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      <title>Whatever Happens Saturday, Championship Season Will Continue</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/06052011&#45;whatever&#45;happenssaturday&#45;championship&#45;season&#45;will&#45;continue/</link>
      

<description>
 <![CDATA[Not only does Eclipse history favor winners of the Double Crown but this season there are two colts that might have the talent to win the remainder of the championship tests. In doing so, however, they could beat each other in the process thereby negating their own chances. Two nine furlong winners; Wood victor Toby’s Corner, and Peter Pan hero Alternation, might catch up to the group if their returns show any semblance of the talent they demonstrated before going &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[Not only does Eclipse history favor winners of the Double Crown but this season there are two colts that might have the talent to win the remainder of the championship tests. In doing so, however, they could beat each other in the process thereby negating their own chances. Two nine furlong winners; Wood victor Toby’s Corner, and Peter Pan hero Alternation, might catch up to the group if their returns show any semblance of the talent they demonstrated before going &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-06-07T10:10:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Marking Time</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/05302011&#45;marking&#45;time/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[Meanwhile, his main rival, Derby winner Animal Kingdom, is “doing super,” Graham Motion was saying at his Fair Hill base earlier this weekend. Animal Kingdon was scheduled to resume galloping this morning. The Derby hero will have one timed workout before the race, either at Fair Hill before shipping, or over Big Sandy, depending on what the weather handicappers say. Motion has no interest in working the horse on a wet racetrack. Meanwhile, Nehro, the likely third choice should the &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[Meanwhile, his main rival, Derby winner Animal Kingdom, is “doing super,” Graham Motion was saying at his Fair Hill base earlier this weekend. Animal Kingdon was scheduled to resume galloping this morning. The Derby hero will have one timed workout before the race, either at Fair Hill before shipping, or over Big Sandy, depending on what the weather handicappers say. Motion has no interest in working the horse on a wet racetrack. Meanwhile, Nehro, the likely third choice should the &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-05-31T02:20:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>The Game Giveth and the Game Taketh Away</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/05232011&#45;the&#45;game&#45;giveth&#45;and&#45;the&#45;game&#45;taketh&#45;away/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[As for Maryland’s signature event, I‘m thinking the next time critics want to take the time to swipe at the Triple Crown’s middle jewel, publicists should retort with a simple tagline: “The Preakness, Always a Damn Good Horse Race.” If all the handicappers, writers and fans that underestimated the talent of Shackleford were to line up, the queue would be longer than those in the Pimlico infield in search of a bottomless brew. “Excuse me,” I might say to fellow &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[As for Maryland’s signature event, I‘m thinking the next time critics want to take the time to swipe at the Triple Crown’s middle jewel, publicists should retort with a simple tagline: “The Preakness, Always a Damn Good Horse Race.” If all the handicappers, writers and fans that underestimated the talent of Shackleford were to line up, the queue would be longer than those in the Pimlico infield in search of a bottomless brew. “Excuse me,” I might say to fellow &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-05-24T09:58:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>I Have Come to Praise This Class, Not Bury It</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/05162011&#45;i&#45;have&#45;come&#45;to&#45;praise&#45;this&#45;class&#45;not&#45;bury&#45;it/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[Indeed, Uncle Mo was a special juvenile champion. But a handful of 2011 3&#45;year&#45;olds still can develop to the point where the group still might be considered special. There’s more than enough time for that. At this moment, Animal Kingdom is considered by many to be a good horse with a chance to win it all. In April, many fans didn’t even know he existed. That’s all we’re saying. The HRI Triple Crown Power 10 for Week 13: 1. Animal &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[Indeed, Uncle Mo was a special juvenile champion. But a handful of 2011 3&#45;year&#45;olds still can develop to the point where the group still might be considered special. There’s more than enough time for that. At this moment, Animal Kingdom is considered by many to be a good horse with a chance to win it all. In April, many fans didn’t even know he existed. That’s all we’re saying. The HRI Triple Crown Power 10 for Week 13: 1. Animal &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-05-17T10:18:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Enigma 137</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/05092011&#45;enigma&#45;137/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[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&#45;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&#45;mile faster than the winner; :47.02 compared &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[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&#45;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&#45;mile faster than the winner; :47.02 compared &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-05-10T10:29:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Countdown to Derby 137 Has Begun</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/05022011&#45;countdown&#45;to&#45;derby&#45;137&#45;has&#45;begun/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[A look at HRI’s Derby Power 10, Week 12 edition: 1. Dialed In (36) For the Derby’s tenuous divisional leader who sports one timed workout in the five weeks since he won the Florida Derby, it’s only gaining familiar with the surface that remains. That and 19 rivals. 2. Uncle Mo (27) Depending on the answer to one question yields how highly one rates his chances for victory. Can he replicate his Juvenile performance over the same track on which &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[A look at HRI’s Derby Power 10, Week 12 edition: 1. Dialed In (36) For the Derby’s tenuous divisional leader who sports one timed workout in the five weeks since he won the Florida Derby, it’s only gaining familiar with the surface that remains. That and 19 rivals. 2. Uncle Mo (27) Depending on the answer to one question yields how highly one rates his chances for victory. Can he replicate his Juvenile performance over the same track on which &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-05-03T09:45:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Mo Back in Derby Picture; Health No Longer The Factor</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04262011&#45;mo&#45;back&#45;in&#45;derby&#45;picture&#45;health&#45;no&#45;longer&#45;the&#45;factor/</link>
      

<description>
 <![CDATA[Between Repole’s Uncle Mo and suddenly rejuvenated Stay Thirsty, Todd Pletcher is very likely to have two starters whereas Bob Baffert has lost two of his three Derby bullets. Baffert and owner Ahmed Zayat ran out of racetrack with Jaycito and have set their sites on the sandy loam in Long Island. Prudent choice, as was Tuesday’s announcement by owner George Bolton that The Factor would not run May 7, leaving Baffert Santa Anita Derby&#45;winning Midnight Interlude as his lone &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[Between Repole’s Uncle Mo and suddenly rejuvenated Stay Thirsty, Todd Pletcher is very likely to have two starters whereas Bob Baffert has lost two of his three Derby bullets. Baffert and owner Ahmed Zayat ran out of racetrack with Jaycito and have set their sites on the sandy loam in Long Island. Prudent choice, as was Tuesday’s announcement by owner George Bolton that The Factor would not run May 7, leaving Baffert Santa Anita Derby&#45;winning Midnight Interlude as his lone &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-04-27T09:52:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>More Questionsquestionsquestions than Answers</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04192011&#45;more&#45;questionsquestionsquestions&#45;than&#45;answers/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[Had there been thismuch hesitation from Rosario, the late developing colt never would have gotten up by the narrowest margin over a well ridden, perfect tripping Twinspired who showed good speed throughout. However, Twinspired ranks 24th in graded earnings. Indeed, many horses outran their odds over the weekend. King Congie, like the winner trained by Tom Albertrani, who’s had a quiet but very productive winter/spring despite limited opportunities, never runs a bad race when the surface is grass or synthetic. &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[Had there been thismuch hesitation from Rosario, the late developing colt never would have gotten up by the narrowest margin over a well ridden, perfect tripping Twinspired who showed good speed throughout. However, Twinspired ranks 24th in graded earnings. Indeed, many horses outran their odds over the weekend. King Congie, like the winner trained by Tom Albertrani, who’s had a quiet but very productive winter/spring despite limited opportunities, never runs a bad race when the surface is grass or synthetic. &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-04-20T09:41:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Meet the New Boss Hoss</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04122011&#45;meet&#45;the&#45;new&#45;boss&#45;hoss/</link>
      

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 <![CDATA[Illinois Derby winner Joe Vann did not crack into the Power 10 off his effort and a good thing, too, as he is not Triple Crown nominated. Most agree that’s just as well, a group that includes his always sensible trainer. Horses, especially young horses, simply don’t lose so much ground&#45;&#45;racing four, five, or six wide, depending on your vantage point&#45;&#45;then forced to steady several times in the stretch, and still keep coming on to win a Santa Anita Derby. &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[Illinois Derby winner Joe Vann did not crack into the Power 10 off his effort and a good thing, too, as he is not Triple Crown nominated. Most agree that’s just as well, a group that includes his always sensible trainer. Horses, especially young horses, simply don’t lose so much ground&#45;&#45;racing four, five, or six wide, depending on your vantage point&#45;&#45;then forced to steady several times in the stretch, and still keep coming on to win a Santa Anita Derby. &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-04-13T09:40:00-06:00</dc:date>
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      <title>Polling As an Art Form</title>
      <link>http://www.horseraceinsider.com/horse&#45;racing&#45;power&#45;rankings/04042011&#45;polling&#45;as&#45;an&#45;art&#45;form/</link>
      

<description>
 <![CDATA[As difficult a question as that is, in our view it’s a little bit of both, walking the line between opinion and fact. What made this week’s three&#45;year&#45;old poll so interesting is that clearly, based on three&#45;year&#45;old form, Dialed In owns victories in two graded stakes, the Holy Bull and Grade 1 Florida Derby, easily the deepest field of the 2011 prep season. For his part, Dialed In won the ungraded Timely Writer, a race whose distance was changed to &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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<dc:subject>2011 Kentucky Derby</dc:subject>
      

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<![CDATA[As difficult a question as that is, in our view it’s a little bit of both, walking the line between opinion and fact. What made this week’s three&#45;year&#45;old poll so interesting is that clearly, based on three&#45;year&#45;old form, Dialed In owns victories in two graded stakes, the Holy Bull and Grade 1 Florida Derby, easily the deepest field of the 2011 prep season. For his part, Dialed In won the ungraded Timely Writer, a race whose distance was changed to &#8230;<br/><br/><a href='http://www.horseraceinsider.com/Zasts-TrackWords'>MORE...</a>]]>
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 <dc:date>2011-04-06T09:41:00-06:00</dc:date>
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