JC / Railbird

Nice way to start Monday morning quarterbacking with an Andy Beyer article.

But once again, he pins the the result on the sloppy surface and an inside track bias.

No mention that half the field crashed into each other coming out of the gate, thus compromising their position or running on aches and pains the rest of the race.

Posted by The_Knight_Sky on May 4, 2009 @ 9:05 am

Beyer is misguided by having to justify the result.

One handicapping observation and three thoughts on the race itself.

I’ve been of the belief that one of the most potent indicators of any horse’s chances in the Derby is whether or not the horse likes to win races. In this sense, Mine That Bird was way more usable than the comparisons being bandied about to Giacamo. A horse can only win the races it is put into.

Perhaps this horse was not as underlaid as he appeared.

On the race itself.

For all the hemming and hawing about poly to dirt and whether this horse is a turf horse or not. The winner didn’t run every step of the way. Put his splits in front of you and you’re looking at a turf race.

Many are saying that Mine That Bird is legit because of the margin of victory. Wet tracks typically produce strung out horses across the line.

Gomez gave PotN another nerve racking ride. Brake, brake, brake….now run, run, run. This horse may benefit from a jock switch. If he runs early and on the rail, he might have run them all off their feet.

Posted by o_crunk on May 4, 2009 @ 10:33 am