Pegasus - Last But Not Least
The Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth is the last of the Kentucky Derby Points races for this season. It will be run this Saturday, August 15th; 3 weeks before the KY Derby.
And there will be some intrigue in this one:
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_vi...param3=1555400
There are 2 horses, each with a chance to get into the top 20 horse point totals necessary to guarantee being in the Kentucky Derby.
#20 in the points race is Sole Volente with 30 KYDPoints.
In this race is the possible post time favorite, Pneumatic, who already has 25 KYDPoints. So he only needs a 1st (20 points) or 2nd (8 points) place finish to get above Sole Volente. But a 3rd place finish (4 points) will not do it (without a top 20 horse not taking a spot, which is expected by the way); so let's say Pneumatic needs a top 3 finish.
Jesus' Team has 10 KYDPoints. He will need to win the race to tie Sole Volente, and then hope that a horse with greater points opts out, and Pneumatic doesn't finish 2nd, which will also put him above Jesus' Team in the points battle.
Both horses have excellent pilots, and good last races. Both are dropping large amounts of weight. I would give the nod to Pneumatic.
I would point out that there is a chance of some rain on Saturday, and neither horse shows any off-track lines.
Super John might move up on an off track (being a son of Super Saver).
Arkaan is undefeated and could prove to be very good, as a son of Into Mischief.
So this will be an excellent betting race.
In the "what if" department, a local writer, Steve Edelson, for the Asbury Park Press wrote an article yesterday that I found interesting.
https://www.app.com/story/sports/202...es/3332575001/
He wonders if Tiz The Law were to win the Kentucky Derby, and the great filly Gamine were to win the Kentucky Oaks, if they might have a showdown in the Preakness.
Wow, a triple crown at stake and having a race like that. Worth a read.
Oddly, it does not appear that they will be running the Black Eyed Susan (filly counterpart to the Preakness) this year.
Larry
DevilHorse
Maximum Security, the Beast, May Head East
Maximum Security had a convincing win in the Pacific Classic, by 3 lengths over Sharp Samurai and Midcourt. Maximum Security won willingly, although it wasn't a hand ride. There were no horses to look him in the eye once he pulled away on the last turn. The time was a good 2:01.1 for a Classic 1 1/4 mile; the Breeder's Cup Classic distance.
Baffert says that he will attempt to keep Maximum Security away from Improbable and McKinzie (I think this horse is past his prime) away from each other. Amazing statement since they are all of his horses. He has the ability to do this. Just send them to different races. Likely to send Maximum Security to the East Coast to the Jockey Club Gold Cup, while keeping other horses on West Coast. All horses will meet in November in the Breeder's Cup Classic, health permitting.
Larry
KY Derby Contest Proposal
OK Silent Majority!!
In an effort to flush out some activity in this thread, I propose to have a little Kentucky Derby Contest, but only if we have 5 or more participants (to be declared ahead of time).
Rules are fungible, but I'm thinking something like this:
1) $100 stake for each participant (have to bet at least $50; I don't want the winner to be the one who didn't bet anything).
2) Bet on the KY Derby (Could also allow a Parlay bet with the KY Oaks from the previous day, but that might short change the suspense). All exotics are on the table. Units of $2 for WPS, Exactas. $0.50 for Triples. No Superfectas.s
3) Decision of the Judges (Me, Devilhorse) is final. Prizes.. Boasting rights.
Thoughts? Are you in?
Larry
DevilHorse