To all my true TG friends

[johnnym]

Please if I ever even mention betting a Pletcher in the derby
Correct this behavior ASAP

Ty
For all that hit
Congratulations

[apindy62]

Too funny, my sentiments exactly. I made that vow after last years derby and it paid off this year.

[Fairmount1]

John,

A quick note on Todd\'s horses that have hit the board in the Derby.  

You had asked me about his record after Super Saver.  

Going back to Super Saver\'s year and since, here are the five horses he had that hit the board:

2010, Super Saver:  SLOPPY (Sealed)
2013, Revolutionary:  SLOPPY (Sealed)
2014, Danza: FAST
2017, Always Dreaming:  WET FAST (Sealed)
2018, Audible: SLOPPY (Sealed)

There might be occasion to consider Todd in the Derby to get in there.  I didn\'t go back further than 2010 but still find it interesting.

_________________

Long ago, I blasted TAP for stating that his horses just didn\'t like the Churchill Downs SURFACE when he lost Derby after Derby.  Maybe he was on to something actually.  Just something to consider as we continue to put a bow on this year\'s Derby.

[Roman]

Wow, interesting.

[jerry]

His horses need a speed favoring track to get the distance. They’re usually best at 1 1/8 or less.

[TGJB]

How does he do in the Belmont?

[Roman]

Definitely suggests a bias aided trip. Milers that got the distance because of it. Great work.

Pletcher is a HoF trainer, you would think he would figure it out. Wonder what he would make of that statistic. He has to be aware of the sheet pattern.

Is it that all the trainers are getting there horses to peak to soon in hopes of just winning a prep and getting into the derby?
There has also not been many horses that have been considered truly exceptional horses that have run in the derby. Every year it may be one that ran in the derby field that went on to be a champion 4 year old. So maybe 5-10 percent of derby starters are any good and the rest are mediocre.  The points system needs to rethought,  and horses need  to run more to separate the wheat from the chaff.

It\'s a grade 1, and supposed to be the most important race in North America. But when you have horses like Rich Strike and Mage, claimer type and NW1X , running and winning the race, well that\'s is what it is . A good claiming race or a first level allowance,  non winners of one other than. Add 20 horses , which makes no sense on that track, should limit to 14, maybe 16 max, and you will always get 5 or 6 horses that are guaranteed bad trips.

It can\'t be that every trainer chokes the chicken when it comes to the derby.
Is it just the nature of that race that produces a poor performance figure wise ?

[john9969]

My very amateur view is many Pletcher top horses have not liked kickback. Many of his favs going into the KD had this issue and in their preps were often wide. And you can\'t get away with it at a 1 1/4 for the first time. Not sure why this is....does he not force them to take kickback in training to prepare them. While no horse likely loves kickback many can thrive in it. TP horses seem not to much too often. And some can get away with it but many can\'t when matched up against the best. I bet Fierceness but was lukewarm even after the seminar. Should have paid more attention to the seminar call out of MD as only had him in 2nd rather than 1.

[jerry]

Much better