Saturday’s Menu…
Aqueduct — Jerry J’s Power Page and Jerry J’s Power Page – PLUS
Gulfstream Park — Jerry J’s Power Page Classic (only)
Golden Gate — Jerry J’s Power Page Classic (only) ( Purchase using the Santa Anita purchase buttons)
Louisiana Derby, dud or a solid step forward?
War of Will ran more like a turf horse trying to manage a dirt race against horses of similar class. In his prior two wins at Fair Grounds, he was running in and against weaker horses, therefore not put to great pressure. Today, that was not the case, he was taking on colts that are starting to show development and are more suited to running on the Dirt. He didn’t break alertly, maybe not liking having horses on both sides of him and seemed uncomfortable fielding the kick back as he races in and amongst horses. This certainly made some sense to me…
However, for a colt like Spinoff, this was a very nice step forward. He raced forwardly, put pressure on the nice colt Sueno coming off the turn and then spurted away with a touch of class. But he might have tired slightly and was caught by another rapidly developing colt, By My Standards – who is now a real contender on the Derby Trail. One interesting handicapping note on By My Standards, he and War of Will both races on 2/16 in different races at the same distance. It’s worth noting that By My Standard actually ran home faster that War of Will in an apples to apples comparison, noting that By My Standards race was just a Maiden Special Weight race and the final clocking was a touch slower. But the final segment in By My Standard’s race was actually faster…. pretty interesting…
We should mention Sueno as well, who raced forwardly and came to the lane with the lead, but was no match for Spinoff or By My Standards but held all other safe. Good but not great…. By My Standars and Spinoff should be part of our Kentucky Derby conversation….