Churchill Downs Today. Grade Threes?

[Silver Charm]

These older races at the end of the Card are brutally tough. I know they are Preps for Foster Day and those are Grade Ones. But still

Brilliant Bertie loves this Track.(Undefeated) Is at home in Kentucky (Undefeated). And had a breakthru performance a year ago on Foster Day. So here was are today ajd Bertie is gonna need another one.

Merconte is legit. There are some live ones who are moving up. I have no real conviction. Loyalty to Bertie probably sucks me in. But Im realistic about tje task at hand.

Blame Cox has to be favored. Those are some really nice horses he lost too. And that middle against Fierceness (48 then 1:11:1) shows he wont go away lightly. Post Time isnt local i dont think he is bet. Two turns not his specialty and Trainer magic hasnt transferred down from Laurel....yet° This runner has a punch and class

Hall of Fame and Banishing figure to be stalking and pressing. Which leaves us Mystic Dan. I think the former Derby Winner gets bet. I seriously hope Im wrong but maybe a Grade 2 type is all he is. But he put it together when it mattered the most. He is a nice horse. This race is going to come down to the pace.

[Silver Charm]

Most Wanted is scratched and runs tomorrow. Its a one turn mile. Who sends

[Roman]

Looked like a carbon copy of his derby win. Mcpeek said the 2 day van ride and ship to the Pegasus was a bad idea.

[Silver Charm]

There is a lot of pressure and responsibility once you become a Derby Winner or returning Horse of the Year. The fans want to see you again and they want to see you win.

Shipping out to the Malibu and running in the Old Strub Series might have been how they used to do it. And being there on Pegasus day might be how we currently do it (Knicks Go. Life is Good, Gun Runner). But is/was this the best route for the horse?

Dan and the Barn gave a good account of themselves yesterday. Foster Day should be outstanding with Thorpedo Anna running. The Derby wasn\'t a fluke or lucky. Dan proved he is a good horse. A great horse is to be determined.

PS I didnt bet him but was relieved for all involved.

[adelphi]

Silver Charm - You’re right.  We complain when Derby, Prkns, Belmont winners retire soon after the Triple Crown ends. So we should celebrate or at least recognize when they return and especially when they are victorious. Congrats to Mystic Dan and his connections.

[Roman]

I made my first trip to Churchill yesterday. Was fortunate enough to hang out on the backstretch for a few hours. The gentleman I spoke to said the place was electric after he won.

Glad he won also. Hopefully others will follow and have 4 & 5 year old careers.