ROTW

[jimbo66]

I am not criticizing the entire fairgrounds race. I am specifically saying Normandy invasion was awful.  Oxbow showed tactical speed in that race, pulled into contention and took the lead while wide.   Way different for me than just empty wide around the track (with trouble)


If u think oxbows run today validates Normandy invasion, we are just playing different games. Don\'t see it

[TreadHead]

I\'m sure others are growing quite tired of this topic, so this will be my last post on it.

You are comparing 2 horses and define one that at 6f is in 10th place nearly 8 lengths behind the other (Oxbow) and then closes over 6 lengths on that horse thru to the finish, finishing within a length of him and moving by him just after the wire, you are defining this as \"empty\".  If this horse is \"empty\", then yeah, you and I are watching 2 different games and there is no use discussing it any further.

Oxbow\'s tactical speed was enough to place him just in front of NI last time at 8.5f, but in both that race and the one today, tactical speed did not win the race, so I\'m not sure why that is such a huge bonus over a deep closer who raced greenly last time and can definitely improve next out.  I don\'t expect him to be any match for Verrazano on his best, but I think it is far too soon to write him off as a factor in 3yr old stakes when you look at what he did at FG and what Oxbow came back and did today.

[miff]

Another weak prep, another generous Beyer 95(Moss a poor fig maker next to Hopkins/Jerardi)Cudos to OP track maintenance for having the surface unforgiving(dull/slow)on their 2nd biggest race day. Route times pathetic, many horses struggled,speed awful in routes.

Delhomme was not sent to Florida after the Remsen with the rest of TAP\'s top propects,good horse,could not run that badly without a major excuse.

Good for the game that D Wayne has a couple on the derby trail,notwithstanding they have little chance in the derby.Oxbow tough little unlucky horse, did most running again but run over late for the second time,seems distance challenged.Winner determined type, had nice flow on a surface playing to his running style,wide off last turn,looked non threatening but got home,slowly!

[big18741]

Heard that Delhomme lost it getting saddled.

Dens Legacy got the easiest trip and couldn\'t beat either Lukas.
Can\'t see him making an impact in a Triple Crown race.

Lukas might have 15% of the Derby field if he gets Titletown Five enough points in New Mexico.

[RogerC]

It seems that everyone gets caught up in derby fever and forgets to bet the race that is staring them in the face. The Price on Will Take Charge was ridiculous his Race  in the Smarty Jones was visually impressive and then a real clunker in the slop against the same animals. His half brother Take Charge Indy got real good this time of year when he won the Florida Derby. Other than Oxbow and S99 who else was faster. I threw out Delhomme who was dead on the board off the layoff. Treasury Bill was way over bet trying a route the 1st time. Made a nice hit for the day Congrats to team Lukas and Jon Court on a perfect ride for the victory....RC

[TGJB]

Jimbo-- Delhomme\'s race yesterday made more sense if he ran a couple (or more) points slower in the Remsen?

The other two ran about 3 points off their tops in their return. If neither gets back to their top next time we can start having a conversation about the figure being 3 points too fast. I myself don\'t doubt the figure any more than I did 3 months ago.

[jimbo66]

TGJB,

Not questioning the figure in the Remsen. I believe that roughly speaking, all the figure makers were in agreement on it.

You/I are in different positions.  You will wait a few more races and recheck your figures, to ensure your product is correct.  As you should.  I, and other gamblers, can\'t afford to wait months to notice a trend.  The Remsen horses have run like shit.  They just have.  Tossing Delhomme yesterday was the play for those that believe the Remsen was over-rated.  Unfortunately, it is already too late to get value with that opinion, it seems, as Delhomme was dead on the board and actually an overlay, versus his figures.

[Silver Charm]

Another weak Prep? The Preps are the Preps, there is nothing else!! This was run in the same time as the Azeri which included some quality Older Mares.

So far there are Verannzano\'s figures and the 1-2 finishers in the Holy Bull which was fast. Speaking of the Holy Bull the Pletcher horse was actually trained pretty steady after the BC Juvy so they clearly had a plan. Get thier points in the Holy Bull and adjust the Derby schedule accordingly. Which they did. Durable in an era of brittle late starters. A Juvenile Champ who could actully be Sleeper!!

Regarding Oxbow I am wondering if he is looking around and pulling himself up or what. Jocks continue to move him to the front like they thing they have horse and he seems to lose focus. Right now he is probably working off three straight 2\'s. Not a bad line to jump forward from with 6 weeks to go. D Wayne getting Calumet Farm back in to the Winners Circle in the Derby would be Legendary!!!

[miff]

\"Another weak Prep? The Preps are the Preps, there is nothing else!! This was run in the same time as the Azeri which included some quality Older Mares\"

Silver,

Yes, this and the FG prep,way weaker than those you mention.The Azeri, with some quality older mares,was also on the slow side, My Miss Aurelia particularly empty.

Re Oxbows ground loaded 2\'s, he\'ll need to grow about a hand in 6 weeks to be a serious TC factor.Think eventually Will Take Charge will be more of a factor than Oxbow.

Good Luck,
Mike

P.S. heard that Will Take Charge ran the fastest prep of any horse according to Equibase, Brilliant!! If true.