Well Triple Crown this year...I do not see a horse in the line up that will do it...the only one so far (and I am still studying them hard) that would have a chance is Uncle Mo.
As for Dialed In...
Nick Zito is a decent trainer and the Jock Leparoux is okay. But the colt's performance in the Gulfstream was horrid. Equestrio beat him by one half a length but it would have been a larger margin if Equestrio has not veered off wide. Dialed In won the Florida Derby but it was not a great performance. That race is a mile and 1/8...he was loosing steam. The first six furlongs he did okay but the next quarter mile he was slower finishing a slower time than he had in a one mile race. He is second or third choice for the Derby but I do not see him winning the 5 quarters at Churchhill. I would not bet on him to win
Uncle Mo... the horse I am watching, a good Kentucky bred horse
Much better horse. He won his 3 year old debut in a Grey Goose Breeder's Cup race at Churchill. He won the race easily. Never pushed by another horse, never had the stick put to him. He ran the race like it was a training day workout. He has raced Gulstream, Churchhill, Saratoga and Belmont fields already. It will be interesting to see how he handles the tight turns at Pimlico in the Preakness, if he runs. His races leading up to the Derby so far... (3 majors in 2010 and 1 so far in 2011...doubtful he will run again before the Derby but it is possible, there are several good races coming up.)
Saratoga, Maiden Special Weight... Won with authority...under a handride. He got out of the gate slow and was moved around and his Jock got him under hand, took him to the inside and he was off. He was challenged hard a couple of time but without stick, he left them in his dust.
Belmont - Champagne Stakes He was off to good a start, good out of the gate and was under a handride. He went to the rail and the Jock gave him 2 quick left hand whips to get him off the rail...he was challenged and just steadied along to win under a handride.
Churchhill Downs - Grey Goose Breeders' Cup He got away from the gate good on the inside and drove hard to the front. He was challenged 5 wide in the second turn and could no be overtaken. He was challenged again 4 wide to no avail...he won on a handride.
At Gulfstream, the Timely Writer Stakes, he won after a bumped start. He came off slow but his jock got him back in hand and recovered and he went on to win. He was challenged three wide and challenged hard and won under a handride. No stick.
For the record...I grew in the racing world...having both TBs and Qtr horse racers. As the family got out of it, I still kept up with it and am planning on attending the Derby next year. My favorite memory...attending the 1973 Belmont and watching Secretariat win the Triple Crown. Nothing will replace that memory as number 1.
So enjoy the races and let's pray that not a single animal breaks down before, during or after...watching Eight Belles break down after racing the boys and placing second...broke my heart. That is always a prayer for me before the races...that all the Jocks and Horses stay safe and whole.
