I think it is officially time to label this horse a Plodder not a world beater. Amazing the difference in growth of This horse since his Holy Bull win and Preakenss winner Shackleford since his 1X \"upset\" of Caspers Touch on the FOY Day Card.
This is not a knock on the Trainers by any means. Zito knows what he is doing it just goes to show what falling in love with someone (nearly back to back favoritism in the Derby and Preakness) can do versus quickly falling out of favor can do for another....as in a $27 win mutual.
Good point, Silver. Andy Beyer selected Shack to win the Derby, then gave him no mention in the Preakness. And in the Preakness edition of the DRF, only one of 30 handicappers mentioned him for fourth. And these are experts?
And after Dialed In won the Holy Bull he was one of the RAGE horses at GP and kept getting excuse after excuse when he skipped the FOY, was beaten in an average allowance race I believe the next day, won a slow Florida Derby and trained very little (works) after the Fla Derby leading up until the Derby!