Consistency is an important consideration in horseracing and selecting a Derby horse. This time last year the early Kentucky Derby favourites were busy not winning their prep races. Uncle Mo, the Juvenile winner and early Derby favorite was resting on his past achievements, choosing not to race at all until the middle of March, when he ran an insignificant eight furlongs to win the Timely Writer. That meaningless victory was enough to hold his position as the popular Derby choice, at least until his leaden effort in the Wood Commemorative. To Honor And Serve, another over-hyped pony ran third as the favourite in the Fountain of Anti-aging. Stay Thirsty won as the favourite in the Gotham, but then threw in a dud in the Florida Derby.By the time the Derby rolled around, all the Derby tops who were sent off the favorite in their final prep had lost that last prep race. This turned out to be a predictor of discordance that continued throughout the Treble Crown.
This year, horse racing among 3 year olds looks very dissimilar. Even though it is early, we are seeing far better form from these Derby tryouts. El Padrino held of Mark Valeski as the 4:5 favourite in the Risen Star. He showed a large amount of heart to fight a tenacious Mark Veleski down the stretch, to win at the wire by a nose.Coming into the race, El Padrino was well hyped but had not won a graded stakes race. As the odd-on choice, he had plenty to prove. And he got it done.
Juvenile champion, Hansen, also had plenty to prove in the Gotham Stakes after having been beaten badly in the Holy Bull. Not only did he lose the Holy Bull to Processes, he beat in the stretch, confirming many racing fans ' suspicions that his front-running style would be a liability in Derby preps as well as the Derby itself. Despite that loss, Hansen was the 4:5 favourite in the Gotham. Not only did Hansen win going away, but he overcame his outside post position and being forced wide on the 1st turn. He also came from a bit off the pace, which he hadn't done before.
Eventually, the Spring of Youth brought back the Juvenile runner-up, Union Rags, for his three year old debut. Union Rags would be sent off as a powerful favourite, at chances of 6:5. In similar fashion as Hansen and El Padrino, Union Rags ran the way a 6:5 favorite is supposed to run, pulling away in a hand ride at the very top of the stretch.
Of the three prep races, the most impressive, and indicative of future success, was Union Rags. Without reference to the level of competition, racing surface, or other race-specific conditions, he ran true to his form and breeding, and displayed the kind of kick important to win the Derby. Hansen did a lot to disprove worries about his distance capacity, but lots of handicappers will wish to see one more effort before dismissing his poor effort in the Holy Bull. Even his win in the Juvenile was a nail biter, with Union Rags getting to him late. It's going to be much tougher to wire the Kentucky Derby than it was the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile. El Padrino's performance was gutsy, but many handicappers would have liked to have seen him power past Mark Velesi with some authority instead of winning by just a nose.
In horse racing, particularly 3 year olds, a lot can change from one race to the next. Since these horses are developing quite speedily at that point in their racing careers, consistency is often difficult to find. That said , this year's early Derby favourites are giving horseracing fans a lot to be excited about. If any of them can hold form in their next (and likely last) prep race, they willcome to Churchill Downs very well positioned to win.
This year, horse racing among 3 year olds looks very dissimilar. Even though it is early, we are seeing far better form from these Derby tryouts. El Padrino held of Mark Valeski as the 4:5 favourite in the Risen Star. He showed a large amount of heart to fight a tenacious Mark Veleski down the stretch, to win at the wire by a nose.Coming into the race, El Padrino was well hyped but had not won a graded stakes race. As the odd-on choice, he had plenty to prove. And he got it done.
Juvenile champion, Hansen, also had plenty to prove in the Gotham Stakes after having been beaten badly in the Holy Bull. Not only did he lose the Holy Bull to Processes, he beat in the stretch, confirming many racing fans ' suspicions that his front-running style would be a liability in Derby preps as well as the Derby itself. Despite that loss, Hansen was the 4:5 favourite in the Gotham. Not only did Hansen win going away, but he overcame his outside post position and being forced wide on the 1st turn. He also came from a bit off the pace, which he hadn't done before.
Eventually, the Spring of Youth brought back the Juvenile runner-up, Union Rags, for his three year old debut. Union Rags would be sent off as a powerful favourite, at chances of 6:5. In similar fashion as Hansen and El Padrino, Union Rags ran the way a 6:5 favorite is supposed to run, pulling away in a hand ride at the very top of the stretch.
Of the three prep races, the most impressive, and indicative of future success, was Union Rags. Without reference to the level of competition, racing surface, or other race-specific conditions, he ran true to his form and breeding, and displayed the kind of kick important to win the Derby. Hansen did a lot to disprove worries about his distance capacity, but lots of handicappers will wish to see one more effort before dismissing his poor effort in the Holy Bull. Even his win in the Juvenile was a nail biter, with Union Rags getting to him late. It's going to be much tougher to wire the Kentucky Derby than it was the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile. El Padrino's performance was gutsy, but many handicappers would have liked to have seen him power past Mark Velesi with some authority instead of winning by just a nose.
In horse racing, particularly 3 year olds, a lot can change from one race to the next. Since these horses are developing quite speedily at that point in their racing careers, consistency is often difficult to find. That said , this year's early Derby favourites are giving horseracing fans a lot to be excited about. If any of them can hold form in their next (and likely last) prep race, they willcome to Churchill Downs very well positioned to win.
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