Blodstock Research figs from Paul Moran

[rosewood]

On paper, there is little separating Big Brown and Casino Drive. These are Bloodstock Research figures for the first and second calls, late pace and final time.

................................E1......E2......LP......SPD
Big Brown
Preakness.......................89......106.....90......101
Kentucky Derby................. 89......111.....96......108
Florida Derby..................107......117.....98......110

Casino Drive
Peter Pan.......................94......105....107......109

Big Brown, despite the visual impression made while defeating overmatched opponents, has regressed in each of the first two legs of the Triple Crown in terms of both pace and final time. Casino Drive's lone American running line is right there with Big Brown and, since his siblings have won the last two runnings of the Belmont, there is little doubt that he is suited to 12 furlongs, something not yet established by Big Brown. Throw in Big Brown\'s tender feet and a rabbit on a suicide mission, and there will be a good deal of temptation, depending upon the price, to bet on the upset.

[Wrongly]

You\'re considering Spark Candle a \"rabbit\"?  Looks like a very slow Japanese rat.

[miff]

What are they thinking? Spark Candle is perfect for BB to zero in on. His comfort zone is a target in front of him.Their best shot would be for CD to take it to BB kinda early and try to test whats left of him.


Mike

[fkach]

The problem with CD doing all the work is that if BB has plenty left, CD could  be off the board instead of picking up a good check and a Grade 1 placing. On the flip side, if BB is a short horse in the Belmont, he\'s probably not going to hold off CD (or someone else) anyway.