It's so exciting to see how strong this crop is and how well they have all held up and improved since running the in the Breeders' Cup.
lol Mary I love the way you go through the headlines...same thing I do! :) Summer Applause is not my top pick but she's been training nicely at Churchill. I really think Grace Hall will take it pretty easy with the abscence of Princess Arabella. I am curious to see how Millionreasonswhy and a few others looks after some works at Churchill though.
Wow, so much love for Summer Applause so far! :)
@Mary - I agree Mary, and I think she's one of the fillies that will benefit from all the speed in the race this year. She's never run a bad race yet and the Fair Grounds Oaks effort was exceptional.
@BrianZ - So do I, it's a tie between her and Grace Hall for me right now. I like Summer Applause as well and I think she'll appreciate the extra furlong in the Oaks, but I don't think the competition she's been facing is extremely high calibur with the exception of Believe You Can.
Nice call Brian...I started watching the live-feed as they were heading to the gate and picked #6 over Hansen right away without realizing it was Dullahan...he looked awesome!
Union Rags still gets my vote. Hansen is looking better and better to me as is Optimizer, Daddy Nose Best and Bodmeister. I'd have Gemologist higher on the list personally. I liked how easily he accelerated to hold off Alpha in the Wood. A lot is going to depend on how good the colts look on Derby day to me this year.
I'm not overly impressed with El Padrino, even after his Risen Star win. Union Rags is still the best of this crop so far.
Agreed Dani!
Nice article Ashley. I'm with Brian on his Tri, Union Rags/El Padrino/New Pending. Should be a great race!