Derby thoughts
DiscreetCat
Moderator
Was talking about Verrazano on another forum; thought i'd re-post here. Just a summary of my thoughts on him:
This one has a lot of potential. A half-brother to El Padrino, note that in his debut @ Gulfstream on New Year's Day, his 6-furlong time (race was actually 6.5 furlongs, so he had another sixteenth left) was far superior to that being set in the Spectacular Bid Stakes just a half-hour later. And even more impressive, it was just a tick slower than the time being set by the senstaional Kauai Katie (still unbeaten around one turn, btw) later on that same card. Kauai Katie was herself wining by 8 lengths that day, a similar margin to Verrazano, who was seen winning by 7+ lengths over Acclaim, who himself returned to win this past weekend. Going a bit further, Verrazano came back to work heads-up with Shanghai Bobby as that one prepared for the Holy Bull Stakes (where he ran second in fast time). So yeah, definitely some things to like.
This one has a lot of potential. A half-brother to El Padrino, note that in his debut @ Gulfstream on New Year's Day, his 6-furlong time (race was actually 6.5 furlongs, so he had another sixteenth left) was far superior to that being set in the Spectacular Bid Stakes just a half-hour later. And even more impressive, it was just a tick slower than the time being set by the senstaional Kauai Katie (still unbeaten around one turn, btw) later on that same card. Kauai Katie was herself wining by 8 lengths that day, a similar margin to Verrazano, who was seen winning by 7+ lengths over Acclaim, who himself returned to win this past weekend. Going a bit further, Verrazano came back to work heads-up with Shanghai Bobby as that one prepared for the Holy Bull Stakes (where he ran second in fast time). So yeah, definitely some things to like.
Comments
Let me know if you are coming down for the Risen Star if your colt ships.
check your e-mail a couple of days ago--I sent you a note regarding Arkansas Derby.
BTW, thanks for the hot streak you're on at the Stream!!!
I'm not sure if you were on the last 2 winner of the day FB, but I get the feeling those are your type of wagers. Great rides on both - amazing really. The .50 P4 paid $575, with 2 easy chalks winning.
Congrats regardless.
Regards, FB
Let us know if you see this guy...
Big performance by Verrazano today... :eating:
He's looked mighty impressive so far. I pulled up his future from an online sportsbook and unfortunately this one is already pegged as low as 12-1.
He was 35/1 around town coming off the single 6.5 furlong maiden win. How are you gonna take that?
I wouldn't take that either and there was never a day when he was going to be a price as TAP was oozing from his pie hole he was better than The Godfarther. If he wins out, he will be probably be the KY Derby favorite and this years Bodemeister. I won't be on him!!!!! I don't think a More Than Ready colt can win a 10f race like the Ky Derby.
Wouldn't be anything better than JG's colt finishing down the lane on the 1st Saturday in May to win the KY Derby!!!!!!
I was somewhat surprised to not see him in the available betting choices for the derby future. While the first pool tends to be overloaded with recent stakes runners and a handful of 2yo's who wont do anything, he was on Haskin's dozen so his name is out there.
John told me about your ticket on In a Tiz, any idea where he is targeting next?
Southwest at Oaklawn
"Palace Malice had a good work yesterday (Sunday) going a half in 48.1 and galloping out three-quarters in 1:15.
"We are on the fence – and must remain so for the time being – as to whether to stay in Florida and run in the Fountain of Youth on February 23, or fly to New Orleans and try the Risen Star on the same day. Each is $400,000, a mile and one-sixteenth, with pros and cons for each proposition.
"He’ll have two more works.
"He’s an uncomplicated horse. He has a good brain, is enthusiastic about racing, seems to understand the game and certainly has ability. His even temperament is very much in his favor in the future, and we hope that as the distances increase he will blossom into one of the truly good ones.
"We can get John Velasquez in Florida, Rosie Napravnik in New Orleans."
Yes, he is Todd Pletcher’s fifth horse in the Top 12, but Pletcher is just loaded with runners, including brilliant maiden winner Verrazano. This colt looked very impressive breaking his maiden last year, then came off a 5 1/2-month layoff to finish a strong second to the swift Majestic Hussar in a 7-furlong allowance. Love the way he leveled off late and the way he galloped out. Really believe we’re going to see something when he stretches out to two turns. Plenty of stamina top and bottom. What a farewell present he would be for Cot Campbell
This from Steve Haskins--but he dropped out of top 12 after last weekend, but Haskins still has him on the one's to watch list.
Of the horses dropped from the Top 12, I still have hope for HE’S HAD ENOUGH, considering he had to switch tactics in the four-horse Robert Lewis and wound up pressuring Flashback, which is not his style at all. He tried hard all the way to the quarter pole before finally backing up. Even when he was passed in the stretch by Den’s Legacy, he continued to battle back. He needs a big field with pace and he should show big improvement…Just because PALACE MALICE was dropped from the 12 spot doesn’t mean I like him any less. After a weekend with so many brilliant performances, you have to make room for new horses. Really looking forward to his next start and stretch-out to two turns. I’ve seen nothing about him I don’t like, other than he hasn’t been two turns yet
Thanks to Dirty for the heads-up on this link:
Coolmore acquires interest in Verrazano | 2013 Kentucky Oaks & Derby | May 3 and 4, 2013 | Tickets, Events, News
Chad Brown sent a couple out who went in 1:00 2/5---Normandy Invasion and a first out winner by Hard Spun named Integrity. Both of these are said to be serious racehorses and we know that Normandy Invasion is a player.
I'm hearing from a clocker in Florida that your colt looks better than Violence. He stated Violence is leggy and don't carry much weight FYI!!!!
I have heard NOTHING positive with Violence...
"Palace Malice worked Sunday morning head to head with the highly regarded three-year-old Violence. They went 5/8’s in 1:01, galloped out in 1:13, 1:27.4 and 1:42.3. We are ready to roll, and I think we should plan on New Orleans. We have Rosie Napravnik to ride, and she is certainly the queen of the Fair Grounds, having a large lead on all other riders. He’s due to ship on February 20 or 21, and Todd will send one other horse, under the supervision of Whit Beckham.
"Palace Malice will have his final work Sunday."
A 1 1/16 at the Stream is kind of quirky. You hit the first turn early and you hit the wire early as well in a short stretch run. If you are unlucky and get an outside draw---YOU'RE SCREWED! We're willing to let Shanghai Bobby, Violence, Bern Identity, Frac Daddy, and others fight that battle.
The battle going thru New Orleans isn't any easier. Palace Malice has shown an affinity for finding that last gear late, approaching 7 f, and the long stretch run at the Fair Grounds will allow him to do his best running late as he attempts to run down Oxbow & Normandy Invasion, who by then should have battled each other into defeat. Rosie won't let Palace Malice get too far back and he will have plenty left for the stretch run. This time of year, weather is always a question in New Orleans, but Palace Malice did just fine last out on a sealed track at GP.
If we do throw in a clunker, which nobody expects, we still have perfect timing to come back in the Rebel and/or Arkansas Derby, where we will most certainly have to face-off with the legion of Baffert runners. As they say
" This ain't no sport for little boys in short pants"
If you don't mind, I would be interested in knowing what you're clocker had to say about Palace Malice. All my info is coming from barn, and they do not usually sugar coat anything---but in this case they are glowing over Palace Malice current form.