Gayego, Monba Move Up
The earnings list and prep race results chart are updated and Arkansas Derby winner Gayego assumes a new prominence on both, moving to #5 with $640,000 in graded stakes earnings and scoring a Beyer speed figure of 103 for his first try on dirt. The effort suggests this year's California Derby contingent is strong, making Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John look all the better. Monba, well down on the graded earnings list before Saturday, is now headed to the Derby with $515,000 and a 92 Beyer for winning the Blue Grass, as is stablemate and Blue Grass runner-up Cowboy Cal, now #16 on the list with $207,660 in earnings.
Posted by JC, Apr 13, 2008 12:00 PM
Comments
Posted by Ernie Munick, Apr 13, 2008 01:09 PM
Is it really fair, though, that Monba is now considered a legitimate contender based on yesterday's Blue Grass? I don't think it is, and have said as much in my own blog.
http://racehorsegirl.com/2008/04/is-polytrack-a-valid-indicator-of-ability/
Posted by Jen, Apr 13, 2008 04:14 PM
If Gayego gets 1 1/4 fuggedaboudit. EZ Pimlico Winner 2.
Posted by paul, Apr 13, 2008 05:35 PM
Jess, I see Turf War is still included on your earnings list, but his trainer Mark Casse has said he is definitely out, and will go in the Derby Trial on April 26:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown08/news/story?id=3339788
Posted by Valerie, Apr 13, 2008 10:33 PM
Oh, and Rick Porter is seriously considering Eight Belles again :)
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=44586
Posted by Valerie, Apr 13, 2008 10:46 PM
Thanks, Valerie. I'd been wondering about Turf War.
Posted by Jessica, Apr 14, 2008 08:32 AM
If you love Gayego, then how do you not like Z Fortune? Four-wide around both turns, and he still almost caught Gayego, who, incidentally, "drifted a bit" according to the chart.
That doesn't bode well for an extra furlong, does it?
Hopefully we can finally close the book on Blackberry Road. What a sucker horse!
Posted by EJXD2, Apr 14, 2008 09:39 AM
If only Pyro had won the Blue Grass...
Sigh. Now there will be less Pyro money from Pyro players to take.
Monba ran a light number in the Blue Grass, but don't underestimate his talent.
By the way, does hallowed Keeneland suck now, or what?
And gentle advice to EJXD2: Don't get too fancy. Know a top racehorse when you see one. Gayego is a running fool. - J.S.
Posted by John S., Apr 14, 2008 02:35 PM
Race is a complete throw out. If I were a Pyro fan, I might be fairly p$yched right now.