Colonel John

Well Colonel John keeps on winning when El Gato Malo keeps on getting bet down to the favorite.  What we saw today was what the Colonel needed, a 11 horse field, a pace to run at, got a rough trip and when set down put the hammer down.  This is horse bred for the dirt and he will have to problem going to Kentucky.

Bob Black Jack sat of the pace, made a nice move and just was beat in the last few strides.

Yankee Bravo had a shot in midstretch but was outrun by the Colonel.  El Gato Malo had a rough trip again, but I also think the Storm Cat breeding started to show in this race.

Overall a CQ score of a solid 3. Possibly a 4.  Very nice race honest fractions and coming home in 35 seconds for the final 3 furlongs.  

War Pass in the Wood, well the slowest Wood in a long time says it all, plus the final furlong in 13 seconds adds more to that discussion.  The fractions were very demanding, 22 and 1/5 and 46 for the half, so War Pass fired today, this is what he is a 9 furlong horse who needs the lead and if he doesn't get any pressure, he will win a lot of races.  If they rest up for the Preakness, he will crush in that race.  If they continue on to the Derby, he will be the Bug.  CQ score of 3 in the Wood because of the strong fractions and the fight at the end, albeit with slow fractions.

In the Illinois Derby, Denis of Cork was who I thought he was, although I was very disappointed by Atoned's effort.  The winner ran a nice race, and recapture the glory adds some speed to the Derby and may betting better.  CQ of 2.  No fractions, and the horses merry-go rounded around the track.

The Bluegrass Stakes is getting very interesting,  Halo Najib has thrown his hat into the ring, with slow fractions he may have a shot, Miner's Claim worked out nice,  I would like to see Monba go into the race with the slow splits, he may be able to come home quickly.  If they wait until the Coolmore, he has to win to get the earnings to the derby.

Colonel John showed he belonged today and those slow figures are the product of slow paces and small fields.  

Derby Day Odds   Big Brown Bear 5/2, Pyro 5-1,  Colonel John 7-1.