Astrology

[pizzalove]

Is Astrology off of the Derby trail?  What are your opinions of him?  He looks the part but I dont know if the quality is there.

[jimbo66]

Not sure he is off the trail or not.  

Asmussen is between a rock and a hard place.  The Sunland Derby was not the first goal, but the horse had some small medical issues delaying his return.  The Sunland Derby was his first start of the year, 6 weeks before the Derby.  He has the earnings to go in the Derby, but he is light on conditioning.  However, if he runs again, it will 3 tough races in 6 weeks.

For what its worth, despite the slowish final time, I though the Sunland Derby was an excellent prep for the horse.  He chased an extremely fast pace, while 3 wide and easily took over turning for home.  He got leg weary the final 1/16th of a mile or so, which is understandable for his first race in 5 months, especially at the 1 1/8 distance.  

I have him at 50-1 in the futures but let\'s just say I am not spending the money yet.....

[pizzalove]

I thought he was going to run in the Arkansas Derby.  But now I dont see him listed.  Interesting horse.

[sekrah]

jimbo, ill give you 150% for your ticket.

[Ace]

I like Wilkinson.  Where is that horse and if he runs in the Derby who rides?

[covelj70]

Wilkinson is running in the Blue Grass this weekend to try and get enough graded money for the Derby.  Not sure who is riding him this weekend.

[miff]

Although a start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) has not officially been ruled out, it looks as if Astrology is more likely to run in either the $150,000 Jerome Handicap (gr. II) April 23 or the $200,000 The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III) April 30 as a prep for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

“We’ll work him at Churchill Downs on Monday before making a decision,” said co-owner George Bolton, who also is majority owner of Arkansas Derby (gr. I) favorite The Factor. “We lost a month with him because of an illness and he’s been behind all year.”

If Astrology, who is co-owned by Jess Jackson, did run in the Derby, he would have to do so off only one race this year, a second-place finish in the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III) after pressing a blistering pace.

[jimbo66]

Sekrah,

Since it looks like Astrology is going to pass on the Derby, I can\'t accept your kind offer (it wouldn\'t be fair).

I actually believe the horse is talented, but the timing just got screwed up with the month of training he lost.