Tappan Street OUT of Derby

[Silver Charm]

Condylar Fracture right leg.

[T Severini]

The Whitham horse\'s come home time was :38:77
East Avenue came home in               :39:37
River Thames home in                   :39:17 (Once again, Check me)

Tony believes the Blue Grass is buried. Also that East Avenue is the quickest of the quick. It doesn\'t really show in his 2yo campaign. In the Risen Star he ran into a one race phenom, got surprised by Magnitude and at the time wasn\'t a dedicated lead horse. (First race back after the change of year, perhaps his fitness was not complete as well.) Anything can happen in the Derby, but to this eye East Avenue is the lead horse if he breaks well. Also think Owen Almighty has tried the pace game and is committed to not repeat it. Then there\'s Rodriquez and Neoequos. And lets not dismiss American Promise from the ability to determine when the pace will be joined. Additionally you have Citizen B and the Baffert Barn\'s endeavors to sort out their speed animals. Madaket Road, (The little Curlin), who could really hotfoot has passed the Derby, in this opinion so Baffert doesn\'t send his speed out at each other. In a nutshell, it looks lively if they can put some heat on East Avenue.

Relatedly, you know Baffert is hell bent for leather to overcome the stigma after the banishment years. You also know Churchill Downs has their top chemists keeping a very close and watchful eye upon him. In years past, Tony would think Rodriquez a very dangerous \"Sliver Treated\" animal. (Wood rundown pending.) But currently, reading the Silver Vet situation is perilous.  

The Whitham horse worked a 59:1 at Churchill Today. Word is he worked it going 7 wide. (Thats a joke!)
 

Really sorry to hear that, maybe for the same reason some folks don\'t want Baeza in. Tappan Street was going to take a ton of Brad Cox money.  There was good value having him in the race. Now the Florida Derby Banner is carried by Sovereignty and... Neoequos.

To the poster to whom was issued the Neoequos hasty retort that being on the lead wasn\'t likely, I have to offer a retraction. Currently not sure. Kudo\'s on your pace acumen. You have seen that left fore casting correct?  Likely why he went so cheap in the 2YO in training sale. (Revision that was a yearling sale.) But its only this third two turn start and unlike Tappan Street, he hasn\'t missed a beat training. He gets up and goes to work. It\'s going to be interesting.