Derby fever setting in...

Part of an article by Steven Crist at the Daily Racing Form has these stats for first fraction, last fraction, and final time of Derby preps:

Hard Spun 1:11.66 + 37.75 = 1:49.41
Scat Daddy 1:10.99 + 38.01 = 1:49.00
Nobiz Like Shobiz 1:10.90 + 38.56 = 1:49.46
Tiago 1:12.72 + 36.79 = 1:49.51
Curlin 1:12.89 + 37.20 = 1:50.09
Dominican 1:17.35 + 33.98 = 1:51.33

I missed the races with Hard Spun and Scat Daddy.

Nobiz ran a good one, but was looking pretty tired to me at the end.

I'm still liking how Tiago did in the Santa Anita Derby... nice late kick, but he was really working for it, (and the second slowest times since 1968 for this race?)...worries me a little if there's a fast pace in the Derby... for the Derby I would think he'll have to sit back a little more, hope the front end speed tires out, and pray he can get through the traffic of those dropping back. Same old story for closers. Speaking of stories, you know the press will wear that one out about him being the brother of Giacomo... especially with same trainer John Shirreffs and Mike Smith aboard...

And I still like Curlin... I don't think that last fraction in the Arkansas Derby is very relevant, I don't think he was pushed very hard towards the finish since he didn't have any other horses pressing him. He should improve... and that's the name of the game is who hits their peak at the right time of the year. We'll see if not racing at 2 makes any difference. Since Steve lost Tiz Wonderful to his tendon problem it appears he wasn't planning on Curlin being his Derby horse... we'll see what kind of merlin Steve is with prepping him so quickly. But if any trainer can prep a horse fast, it's Stevo...

And Dominican? I just won't bet a horse coming off polytrack in a race like this. (That being said, watch the friggin horse win just to prove me wrong! lol)

So May 5 I'll be glued to the tv...