I got a lot of blowback today from the connections of one of the horses that I posted about on Sunday.

They weren\'t too happy with my comments.

I am going to have to tone it down from here out on this stuff for this year I guess. I have no interest in making any enemies in the game.  Not sure why anyone cares what some idiot like me is saying about their horse but it is what it is.

What a game

Old Mr. Boston: I guess that\'s the price you pay for fame and fortune in this game.   Just go beat \'em in the big one...Ken

moosepalm: Did I miss the memo that that this is a popularity contest?  Are they afraid the horse\'s feelings will be hurt because you don\'t like its chances?  If I owned a Derby horse I\'d be encouraging everybody but Andy Beyer to not like my horse.

Maybe you can develop code names for the horses like the Secret Service has for the President.  Something like \"D-Day looks like he\'s going to need to add some weight if he\'s going to be able to withstand all the bumping and jostling in a twenty horse field.\"

Okay, maybe too obvious.

covelj70: This is honestly absolutely hysterical. My wife and I are dying laughing reading this.

phil23: That was hilarious. Line of the derby season so far.

Jim certainly don\'t want you to make enemies but also look forward to your on track opinions. Would hope other connections understand this is a betting game as well as an owners game. Regardless, good luck in 12 days.

magicnight: And you only criticized the horse! Imagine if he ran into Richiebee in a dark alley!

TGJB: Jim-- I\'m going to be pretty upset if you edit your comments for those people or anyone else. You are giving opinions and clearly saying that\'s what they are-- who cares what those people say. A lot of other people here want to hear them.

This site is not meant to be the DRF of the 80\'s, where everything was insipid drivel and offered no insight. If anyone gives you a hard time give them my number.

drbillym: Mike Welsch just tweeted that Falling Sky continues to train with enthusiasm.  Will be interesting to see you among Falling Sky, Verrazzano or Goldencents goes for the lead.  O\'Neill is training Goldencents to sit off the pace, but there is not much other speed lined up and it may not set up so well for Orb and Java\'s War.  Goldencents shows tactical speed and a good dosage(if that is relevant) and with unknown Krigger aboard, should be good value.
Hope to hear more Derby talk on the board-been lots of crap lately but a few pearls-best comment goes to bellsbendboys 4:51 pm Apr 23.

covelj70: DB,

great post

totally agree on the other stuff distrating from the Derby

I know it\'s an important topic but maybe it can wait until after the Derby?

In terms of the pace, the interesting thing about this years Derby is that there aren\'t alot of speed horses and all of the horses that would otherwise be near the
lead all have distance questions to varying degrees.

I honestly don\'t think anyone really wants the lead as everyone is going to be looking to sit off everyone else and get \"carried\" by the front runner for awhile.  There\'s the scenario where we have one of the slowest paces we have seen in a while.

The way Lucky is training (53 for a half?  I mean, I know its Calder and not Santa Anita but I don\'t see how a grade 1 horse gets any fitness out of a 53 half) and Goldencents (same comments re: lucky for a 116 3/4).  Both of those horses are looking to take back at least a bit.  Verazaano can place himself whereever he wants and he showed both in the TB Derby and relazing on a very easy lead in the Wood that he can relax.  I know we would rather not have the lead and do all of the dirty work with FS like we have in our last 3 races.  Its possible Oxbox winds up on the lead after the failed experiment where he took back last time.

Maybe the crafty G. Stevens tries to sneak away.  The problem is that the second anyone does that, the most naturally talented (note I didn\'t say best) horse in the race, Verazzano, will then sit off the flank of anyone who tries to sneak away and no one wants that monster breathing down their neck for the first mile of the race (he\'s at least 16.2 hands by the way if not bigger).

Also, none of this even contemplates the possibility that one or more of the \"speed\" horses doesn\'t break well or gets bumped out of position early on.

Finally, for what it\'s worth, just like in the slow paced Fla Derby, Orb won\'t be that far back.  He\'s got more tactical speed than one might think which is something I know Miff has accurately pointed out on the board.

Beau: Jim or anyone else,

You stated that Verazzano is 16.2 hands...

Have you had the opportunity to see other More Than Ready colts? If so... Is that typical for More Than Ready 3yr olds or is he just a FREAK?

Thanks in advance and good luck to you with FS,

Beau

Labeebmile: I haven\'t read the post that is being discussed (if someone could direct me, I\'d be interested to see it), but in a game which at its roots is one set of connections saying, My horse is faster than yours\", getting upset at the opposition for saying they don\'t like the chances of your horse is silly, especially in a handicapping forum.

I can only imagine the fury they feel when looking at the tote and seeing all of those opinions cast against them. But somehow owners and gamblers are different groups of people. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I don\'t read the forum often, but I too hope you don\'t censor yourself going forward to appease others. Good luck in the weeks to come.