Racetrack Lenny

Even Muddier

Wow! If you were hoping that the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn would clear up the Derby picture yesterday, you came away disappointed.

The Blue Grass at a mile and an eighth over the sponge-like Polytrak saw even money Pyro (Shaun Bridgmohan up) finish 10th. He was a non-factor every step of the way. However, when you look at the fractions, there was nothing to close into. The opening quarter when just shy of 25 seconds with the half in 49 seconds--trotter-like. Monba an 8-1 shot with Edgar Prado aboard stalked the pace and won by a long neck. He was followed by another 8-1 shot, Cowboy Cal with John Velasquez up. Cowboy Cal led every step of the way except at the wire. 27-1 longshot Kentucky Bear, ridden by Jamie Theriot, got up for third. Derby hopeful Cool Coal Man, sent off at 6-1, ran third most of the way and then tired to finish 9th.

Polytrack surfaces suck! They make mediocre horses look like the next coming of Secretariat and it takes horses like Pyro and makes them look like maiden claimers. In my mind, you have to throw this race out for both Pyro and Cool Coal Man. Both have proven they are capable of much better on dirt and I was surprised that their connections decided to contest the Blue Grass over a sponge.

At Oaklawn, the race was also a mile and an eighth; but, it was run on dirt--like a real horse race should! The race was more formful as 2-1 favorite Gayego, Mike Smith up, stalked 37-1 Tres Borrachos to take the lead at the top of the stretch and prevail by 3 parts of a lenghth over 6-1 Z Fortune and the aforementioned Tres Borrachos who hung on for 3rd. Actually, Tres Borrachos had dropped back to 4th and came back again late to get the show spot. The race chart states that Tres Borrachos set a "moderate pace". Well, I don't know which race they were watching since the opening quarter went in 22-3/5ths and the half went in 46-3/5ths--that is a suicidal pace for a mile and an eighth. So, for Tres Borrachos to still be around at the end was quite impressive. Other Derby hopefuls: My Pal Charlie off at 7-1 finished 5th. Blackberry Road (Calvin Bo-rail up) closed belatedly from last to land 7th place.

From here, it looks like the first Saturday in May will make for an outstanding betting race.

May the horse be with you,

Racetrack Lenny

racetrack lenny went to the post at @ 4:47 PM