I know many did.

They were wowed by his 2nd place performance in the Derby like they were by Commanding Curve and Golden Soul who both skipped the Preakness Stakes.

I like the horse, but never bought into it.

Didn't he run less distance than Always Dreaming and much, much less than the 3rd and 4th place finishers in the Derby?

Perfect trip. A horse is not going to get that every time, are they?

He was over the top as expected...its tough to run all three legs of the TC and be expected to finish on the board each time.

Well, we see how that went for my list.

With all the defections I ended with just 9. :-)

1. McCraken (Ghostzapper by Awesome Again by Deputy Minister by Vice Regent by Northern Dancer and Ivory Empress by Seeking the Gold by Mr. Prospector)  30

8th

2. Irish War Cry (Curlin by Smart Strike and Irish Sovereign by Polish Numbers by Danzig) 110

10th


3. Classic Empire (Pioneer of the Nile by Empire Maker and Sambuca Classic by Cat Thief by Storm Cat) 32

4th place finish.

4. Gormley (Malibu Moon by A.P. Indy and Race To Urca by Bernstein by Storm Cat) 128

9th

5. Always Dreaming (Bodemeister by Empire Maker and In Excess by Siberian Express) 100

The winner

6. Gunnevera (Dialed In by Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Unbirdled Rage by Unbridled) 84

7th

7. Malagacy (Shackleford by Forestry by Strom Cat and Classiest Gem by Dehere by Deputy Minister) 50

Skipped the race

8. Practical Joke (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and by Halo Humor by Distorted Humor) 74

5th place finish

9. J. Boys Echo (Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Letgomyecho by Menifee by Harlan by Storm Cat) 53

13th

10. Royal Mo (Uncle Mo and Royal Irish Lass by Saint Ballado by by Halo by Hail To Reason) 10

Skipped the race

1. McCraken (Ghostzapper by Awesome Again by Deputy Minister by Vice Regent by Northern Dancer and Ivory Empress by Seeking the Gold by Mr. Prospector)  30
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
3rd Blue Grass Stakes, 9 furlongs
Sam F. Davis, 8 furlongs
Kentucky Jockey Club, 8.5 furlongs 10 
Street Sense, 8 furlongs

I know he finished 3rd, but he needed the race. I think unless Classic Empire wins the Arkansas Derby very impressively, he is my top Derby horse.

2. Irish War Cry (Curlin by Smart Strike and Irish Sovereign by Polish Numbers by Danzig) 110
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Marylander Stakes, 7 furlongs
Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs
8th Fountain of Youth, 8.5 furlongs
Wood Memorial, 9 furlongs

I toss out the FOY. He bounced off the big performance in the Holy Bull. I expected a big performance next out and I got it.

3. Classic Empire (Pioneer of the Nile by Empire Maker and Sambuca Classic by Cat Thief by Storm Cat) 32
Next Race: Arkansas Derby, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Mark Casse
G3 Bashford Manor,  6 furlongs
G1 Breeders Futurity, 8.5 furlongs 10
BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 20
3rd G2 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs2

We shall see how much he has recovered temperament, etc. If he finishes a close 2nd he stays here.

4. Gormley (Malibu Moon by A.P. Indy and Race To Urca by Bernstein by Storm Cat) 128
Next Race:
Trainer: John Shirreffs
G1 Frontrunner Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
G3 Sham Stakes, 8 furlongs 10
4th G2 San Felipe, 8.5 furlongs 4

5. Always Dreaming (Bodemeister by Empire Maker and In Excess by Siberian Express) 100
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Florida Derby, 9 furlongs

6. Gunnevera (Dialed In by Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Unbirdled Rage by Unbridled) 84
Next Race: Fountain of Youth
Trainer: Anthony Sano
G3 Delta Jackpot Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
2nd G2 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs 4
G2 Fountain of Youth, 8.5 furlongs 50
3rd Florida Derby, 9 furlongs

He bounced.

6. Malagacy (Shackleford by Forestry by Strom Cat and Classiest Gem by Dehere by Deputy Minister) 50
Next race: Arkansas Derby?, 9 furlongs
Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 50

Not as good as Always Dreaming, but still a gamer/

7. Practical Joke (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and by Halo Humor by Distorted Humor) 74
Trainer: Chad Brown
G1 Hopeful, 7 furlongs
G1 Champagne, 8 furlongs 10
3rd BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 4
2nd Fountain of Youth, 20
2nd Blue Grass Stakes, 9 furlongs 40

8. J. Boys Echo (Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Letgomyecho by Menifee by Harlan by Storm Cat) 53
Next Race: 4th Bluegrass Stakes, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Dale Romans
4th Delta Downs Jackpot, 8.5 furlongs 1
3rd G3 Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 2
Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 50

9. Royal Mo (Uncle Mo and Royal Irish Lass by Saint Ballado by by Halo by Hail To Reason) 10
Next race: Sunland Derby?
Robert B. Lewis Stakes, 8.5 furlongs  10
8th Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
3rd Santa Anita Derby, 9 furlongs

Excellent point.

I do wonder what they do with Royal Mo and Gormley.

Gormley I could see being pointed to the Santa Anita Derby, but I cannot see them both going in there.

Well, this is a weird year. Horses very inconsistent except for Gunnevera who I just do not see as the quality as some of the others.

1. Irish War Cry (Curlin by Smart Strike and Irish Sovereign by Polish Numbers by Danzig) 10
Next Race: Sam F. Davis?
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Marylander Stakes, 7 furlongs

I toss out the FOY. He bounced off the big performance in the Holy Bull. I expect him to rebound with a big performance next out.

2. McCraken (Ghostzapper by Awesome Again by Deputy Minister by Vice Regent by Northern Dancer and Ivory Empress by Seeking the Gold by Mr. Prospector)  10
Next Race: Blue Grass Stakes, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Sam F. Davis, 8 furlongs
Kentucky Jockey Club, 8.5 furlongs 10 
Street Sense, 8 furlongs

I think he is still a top Derby horse. Right now, a notch above Classic Empire, but they are very close.

3. Classic Empire (Pioneer of the Nile by Empire Maker and Sambuca Classic by Cat Thief by Storm Cat) 32
Next Race: Blue Grass Stakes, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Mark Casse
G3 Bashford Manor,  6 furlongs
G1 Breeders Futurity, 8.5 furlongs 10
BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 20
3rd G2 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs2

4. Gunnevera (Dialed In by Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Unbirdled Rage by Unbridled) 64
Next Race: Fountain of Youth
Trainer: Anthony Sano
G3 Delta Jackpot Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
2nd G2 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs 4
G2 Fountain of Youth, 8.5 furlongs 50

Fountain of Youth win was impressive, but I just do not see him in the same league as other top horses.

5.  One Liner (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and Cayala by Cherokee Run by Runaway Groom by Blushing Groom back eventually to Nasrullah) 10
Next Race: G1 Florida Derby, 9 furlongs
Southwest Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10

I am liking this horse more and more.

6. Malagacy (Shackleford by Forestry by Strom Cat and Classiest Gem by Dehere by Deputy Minister) 50
Next race: Arkansas Derby?, 9 furlongs
Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 50

This horse is really interesting. A nice win against a quality field. Pletcher with his third Derby prospect. Picking them up late.

7. Practical Joke (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and by Halo Humor by Distorted Humor) 34
Next Race: Holy Bull , 8.5 furlongs or Risen Star, 8.5 furlongs?
Trainer: Chad Brown
G1 Hopeful, 7 furlongs
G1 Champagne, 8 furlongs 10
3rd BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 4
2nd Fountain of Youth, 20

7. J. Boys Echo (Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Letgomyecho by Menifee by Harlan by Storm Cat) 53
Next Race: Bluegrass Stakes, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Dale Romans
4th Delta Downs Jackpot, 8.5 furlongs 1
3rd G3 Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 2
Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 50

8. Mo Town ( Uncle Mo by Indian Charlie by In Excess and Grazi Mille by Bernardini by A.P. Indy) 10
Next Race: Florida Derby, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Anthony Dutrow
8th G2 Risen Star Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
G2 Remsen Stakes , 9 furlongs

Wood probably a better place for him, but it looks like they are pointing to the Florida Derby and the G1 lure.

9. El Areeb (Exchange Rate by Danzig and Feathered by A.P. Indy)  30
Next Race: Wood Memorial, 9 furlongs.
Trainer: Cathal Lynch
James F. Lewis Stakes, 7 furlongs
Jerome Handicap, 8 furlongs 10
Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
3rd Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10

Can he rebound?

10. Gormley (Malibu Moon by A.P. Indy and Race To Urca by Bernstein by Storm Cat) 28 
Next Race:
Trainer: John Shirreffs
G1 Frontrunner Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
G3 Sham Stakes, 8 furlongs 10
4th G2 San Felipe, 8.5 furlongs 4

11. Royal Mo (Uncle Mo and Royal Irish Lass by Saint Ballado by by Halo by Hail To Reason) 10
Next race: Sunland Derby?
Robert B. Lewis Stakes, 8.5 furlongs  10
8th Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs

I really like this horse a lot, and wonder what happened. Cal shippers usually do better.

12. American Anthem (Bodemeister by Empire Maker and Indy's Windy by A.P. Indy)4
Next Race: Santa Anita Derby, 9 furlongs
2nd Sham Stakes
10th Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs.

Even in placing a wager, I am certain you divide the field into top Derby prospects to win...and provide some underlays for the super...considering 8-10 horses...but only betting on 6-7? No?

You have to have at least 8-10 horses you are watching.

No? LOL

Funny thing is, I usually go for peculiar Derby entries like females and foreign entries, except if they are trained by Jerry Hollendorfer because he is not a fan at all about entering them against the boys.

Now, if Unique Bella delivered a Rachel Alexandra type performance against the fillies in the Kentucky Oaks, I could definitely see the possibility of her entering the Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes, but the Derby I think is a no go.

I just hope, unlike Songbird last year, UB remains healthy to enter the Oaks.

And if she stays healthy she could really have a special season perhaps taking on the boys in the Haskell as was talked about for Songbird possibly before her scratch in the Oaks.

Quote from: Dusty on August 28, 2016, 12:08:50 PM
Oh yes it was real - I STILL have my button!

I was at the 94 version...lol

I would refer you to the following:
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/early-say-whether-unique-bella-will-contest-kentucky-derby/

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, in a similar position last year with the then-undefeated Songbird, made a show of declining any interest in running Unique Bella against males.

Another factor which may increase Hollendorfer's reticence to start Unique Bella against males is that Songbird was far more experienced in early February of her sophomore year than is Unique Bella. Songbird had raced four times as a juvenile before debuting the next year with a win in the Las Virgenes; Unique Bella made only two starts as a 2-year-old, and her two graded stakes wins have come in the first two months of 2017.

"I'd like to keep (Unique Bella) in California, just like I did with Songbird last year," said Hollendorfer after Unique Bella's win. "There's enough money to run out here and run against the girls, not the boys. I think we'll try and run here and if we'd be fortunate enough, we'd point to the (Kentucky) Oaks.
"I really like to concentrate on the filly races. If an opportunity came to do something else we'd probably have to consider that, but I'd like to keep her against the fillies if I can."

I know Don Alberto has raced his horses against the males in Chile, but you do not get Jerry Hollendorfer as your trainer unless you are willing to listen to his recommendations.

I doubt if Fernando Diaz-Valdes and Don Alberto go against Hollendorfer's recommendation.

I think what will cement it is the next round of races by the three year old males.

Once Mastery, American Anthem, Irish War Cry, Classic Enpire, El Areeb and McCraken make their next start's I think any chance of Unique Bella facing the boys in the Kentucky Derby will have evaporated.

That said, nothing stops you from posting your Derby top 10 or 12...

You should have went there. They had plenty of tickets for sale. It was not too crowded at all.

He is certainly the real deal.

A shame it seems unlikely he will contest the race again.

Didn't Jerry Hollendorfer indicate that there were absolutely no plans to run her against the boys this year already?

I thought I had read a quote from him somewhere.

At least last year he seemed to leave the possibility open, but the notion that he has been clear on the proposition, and he is not only going to reverse himself, but also enter her in a Derby prep which he did not even do with the more tested Songbird, to me is a bit over the top, but we shall see.

1. Classic Empire (Pioneer of the Nile by Empire Maker and Sambuca Classic by Cat Thief by Storm Cat) 30
Next Race: Bluegrass Stakes/San Felipe?
Trainer: Mark Casse
G3 Bashford Manor,  6 furlongs
G1 Breeders Futurity, 8.5 furlongs 10
BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 20
3rd G2 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs2

I cannot fault the horse learning he had an abscess. Those who know me know I have a hard time taking a horse down after a less than stellar performance. I think the Bluegrass Stakes would be the best place for him. He loves the track. He would be near Churchill Downs. And he already has 2 G1 wins so missing the G1 Florida Derby would not be much of an issue. You want to place him in the best position to win and that race would do it. Racing at Gulfstream Park does not do that. With all the rain out West, I do not think it makes sense to ship him there just to ship back for the Derby. If he misses again in the Bluegrass finishing 4th or worse by the same margin, then he can simply be vanned to Ashford and retired, but I expect a big performance there that will put him at the top of the pack. To me, he is still the best 3 year old in training. But he cannot afford another misstep. If the abscess does not heal well, then they may as well

2. Irish War Cry (Curlin by Smart Strike and Irish Sovereign by Polish Numbers by Danzig)
Next Race: Sam F. Davis?
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Marylander Stakes, 7 furlongs

3. McCraken (Ghostzapper by Awesome Again by Deputy Minister by Vice Regent by Northern Dancer and Ivory Empress by Seeking the Gold by Mr. Prospector)  10
Next Race: Tampa Bay Derby, 9 furlongs
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Sam F. Davis, 8 furlongs
Kentucky Jockey Club, 8.5 furlongs 10 
Street Sense, 8 furlongs

Haskin has him top ranked. A case can certainly be made for that. I need to see him win at more than a mile at 3. I think he will relish the distance, but until he does it against increasingly better competition I cannot list him first. I do really like his trainer, though. And believe he is a top class horse.

4. Mastery (Candy Ride by Ride The Rails by Cryptoclearance by Fappiano and Steady Course by Old Trieste by A.P, Indy) 10
Next Race: San Felipe/Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
Trainer: Bob Baffert
G3 Bob Hope Stakes, 7 furlongs
G1 Cash Call Futurity, 8.5 furlongs 10

I really like him. Winning at 8.5 furlongs at 2 is a big thing for me. This is why he stays and Practical Joke moves down. I thought he beat a nice horse in the Cash Call.

5. Gormley (Malibu Moon by A.P. Indy and Race To Urca by Bernstein by Storm Cat) 20 
Next Race: San Felipe Stakes/Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
Trainer: John Shirreffs
G1 Frontrunner Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
G3 Sham Stakes, 8 furlongs 10

Who stays in SoCal? Seems like a classy horse. Overcame poor performance in BC Juvenile. Seems like Shirreff's number one, but who knows.

6. Mo Town ( Uncle Mo by Indian Charlie by In Excess and Grazi Mille by Bernardini by A.P. Indy) 10
Next Race: Risen Star Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
Trainer: Anthony Dutrow
G2 Remsen Stakes , 9 furlongs

He is training well and cannot be held back any further. This is a nice field. I hope he does well. He is the only horse with a 9 furlong win of this crop of three year olds so I see him as the class of the field in the Risen Star.

7. El Areeb (Exchange Rate by Danzig and Feathered by A.P. Indy)  20
Next Race: Gotham Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
Trainer: Cathal Lynch
James F. Lewis Stakes, 7 furlongs
Jerome Handicap, 8 furlongs 10
Withers Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10

Some question his competition which is fair. But he has beaten all comers by open lengths. His breeding cannot be faulted at all.

8. Gunnevera (Dialed In by Mineshaft by A.P. Indy and Unbirdled Rage by Unbridled) 10
Next Race: Fountain of Youth
Trainer: Anthony Sano
G3 Delta Jackpot Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 10
2nd G2 Holy Bull, 8.5 furlongs

I have to move him up. He is just a nice horse. Perhaps not as classy as his competition, but still a nice blue collar horse who always tries.

9. Royal Mo (Uncle Mo and Royal Irish Lass by Saint Ballado by by Halo by Hail To Reason) 10
Next race: Rebel Stakes/Santa Anita Derby?
Robert B. Lewis Stakes, 8.5 furlongs  10

Where does he go next? I wonder if he may point to the Sunland Derby with his Robert Lewis win. It worked for Firing Line to get him to the Derby.

10.  One Liner (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and Cayala by Cherokee Run by Runaway Groom by Blushing Groom back eventually to Nasrullah) 10
Next Race: G2 Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs/G1 Florida Derby, 9 furlongs?
Southwest Stakes, 8.5 furlongs

I have no Pletcher horses so I had to add one. I also like the breeding on the bottom. Cherokee Run usually breeds for sprint speed, but did come in second in the Preakness Stakes. He did win at Gulfstream Park so that may be a possibility. Or he could point to the Wood Memorial.

11. American Anthem (Bodemeister by Empire Maker and Indy's Windy by A.P. Indy)4
Next Race: Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs
2nd Sham Stakes

Tie 12. 
Practical Joke (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and by Halo Humor by Distorted Humor) 14
Next Race: Holy Bull , 8.5 furlongs or Risen Star, 8.5 furlongs?
Trainer: Chad Brown
G1 Hopeful, 7 furlongs
G1 Champagne, 8 furlongs 10
3rd BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 4

Lookin At Lee (Lookin At Lucky by Smart Strike and Langara Lass by Langfuhr by War Front) 12
Next Race: Rebel Stakes, 8.5 furlongs?
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Ellis Park Juvenile, 7 furlongs
2nd Iroquois Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 4
2nd Breeders Futurity, 8.5 furlongs 4
4th BC Juvenile, 8.5 furlongs 2
3rd Southwest Stakes, 8.5 furlongs 2

He was taken out by Uncontested early so he deserves to stay. Next out he will have to show up. He could just be one of those unlucky horses, but we shall see.

On The Edge
No Dozing (Union Rags by Dixie Union by Dixieland Band by Northern Dancer and Stay Awake by Pulpit by A.P. Indy)
Next Race:
Trainer: Arnaud Delacour

Snap Decision (Hard Spun by Danzig and Salute by Unbridled)
Next Race:
Trainer: Claude McGaughey
Half brother of Mr. Speaker. Have to instantly like.

Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holliday by Harlan by Storm Cat and Pull Dancer by Pulpit)
Next race:
Trainer: William Mott
3rd BC Juvenile Turf, 8 furlongs
Summer Stakes, 8 furlongs

If he tries dirt, and wins he will join the list. But he does not even seem to be in training so that may be a long shot at this point.

Cool Arrow (Into Mischief by Harlan's Holiday and Phoenicia by Mr. Purpple by Deputy Minister)
Next Race: Risen Star, 8.5 furlongs
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Springboard Mile, 8 furlongs

Hate to take him down before he has raced at 3, but too many other good performances to ignore.

Definitely not the Chrome we had seen in the past.

Seemed dull in the paddock and the post-parade.

Balked at the gate.

Stopped running in the race.

Injury or not something was off.

But congrats to Team Arrogate. He just keeps on trucking.