We may become jaded along
the Derby Trail, but it’s always a surprise nonetheless when an injury is
reported out of nowhere. Thursday afternoon it was announced Hear the Ghost,
winner of the San Felipe (G2) and second favorite in Saturday’s Santa Anita
Derby (G1), had a “small injury” to his front leg. He’ll need around 90 days to
heal, thus is officially ruled off the trail. His absence is truly unfortunate,
as it appeared Hear the Ghost was on an upward trajectory and was not only a
real threat at Santa Anita, but also in the division overall// Selections are
beginning to trickle in for the two big Saturday preps. Although most
handicappers are deciding between Verrazano and Vyjack in the Wood Memorial,
they’re not on top of everyone’s ticket.
Ellis Star believes
Elnaawi is primed for an upset// I side with Byron King in thinking Super
Ninety Nine could be the value play in the Santa Anita Derby. Although he calls
his last race “a clunker”- something I don’t completely agree with- King feels
Baffert would not run Super Ninety Nine against tough company and two
stablemates if he didn’t believe in his ability// more…
Upcoming Kentucky Derby Point Races:
Wood Memorial (G1)
Aqueduct
1 1/8 Miles
PPs: Click here
Time: 6:28PM ET
TV: NBC Sports
Preview: NYRA /
Bloodhorse
/ Brisnet
/ DRF / Churchil
Downs [Video]
Picks: Downey Profile / Equibase
/ Bloodhorse THS [video] / DRF:
Byron King /
Santa Anita Derby (G1)
Santa Anita
1 1/8 Miles
PPs: Click here
Time: 7:00PM ET
TV: NBC Sports
Preview: Santa Anita / Bloodhorse
/ Brisnet
/ DRF / Churchill
Downs [Video] /
Picks: Downey Profile / Bloodhorse THS [video] /
Articles:
Hear
the Ghost injured, to miss Triple Crown (Bloodhorse)
Like
1804 silver dollar: Coindealers hit paydirt with Goldencents (Courier
Journal Blog)
Wood
Memorial loftier than Santa Anita Derby (The San Luis Obispo Tribune)
Point/Counterpoint: Verrazano vs. Vyjack (Horseracing Nation)
Quotes and Tweets:
"[Crop Report] no
bluegrass. Peter Pan then Belmont"- Bradley Weisbord via Twitter
"John Terranova says
final decision on FallingSky comes over weekend. Has MartinGarcia secured if
current ArkDerby lean gets locked in"- Rolly Hoyt via
Twitter
