VinnyECB

I like AK as much as the next fan but I couldn't understand how Stay Thirsty wasn't even a finalist for the award. I can't remember a 3yo w/ as good of a 2nd half of season & not be a finalist.

Never saw this one before today. As Trevor would say: two scintillating performances! A couple of my favs are 1992: Was all over Pine Bluff that day; 1994: Tabasco Cat getting revenge on Go For Gin; 2004 & 2005. Was in B'more for last year's race. Nailing the exacta after not having a good day felt good.

I don't recall the trip Birdstone got in the Derby but I thought he had a shot in the Belmont. His pedigree was second to none for it. He also got a great setup for his late kick. How much magic Nick Zito performed after the Derby is hard to say.

Unfortunately, that was the only bet I cashed 2 wks ago. I also would've been happy w/ St. Johns River winning. I am intrigued somewhat w/ Dance City & Sway Away in exotic plays. Still deciding on Astology. Not sure if I'll get enough time to handicap B.E.S. Work always hampers that.

counting Da Tara as a stopper? that's funny but terrible. Did Da Tara even win another race? Aren't we selling Birstone a little short. He did win the Travers. Stu made a tactical error that day & got Smarty beat. I believe Birdstone was capable of beating Smarty @ 9f or 10f. That's an argument for another day. Granted Mr. Zito is a master but I'm not sold on Dialed In winning this race regardless of a potential bonus.

If he wins, I think they will try to blow the field away. They have to get something out of it. Agree w/ topturf. Its been boring watching him win. Hopefully, he gets challenged by someone. Can he overcome adversity? We'll find out on Derby Day.

Brethren & Santiva were my 2 faves (besides Uncle Mo) coming into January. Still can't understand what Ramon was doing in TB Derby. Seems to me he should take a brunt of the loss. Looking forward to Ark Derby. 12 clip, I think 1996 went down the same way. Not sure Cavonnier was Baffert's best horse going in but he ran his heart out & got heart broken @ wire.

Does anyone believe Flashpoint can get 9f? Looking at his pedigree, I'm not sure. People want to knock some horses because they believe his effort was easy. I'm surprised that those people don't realized that the horse & jockey did as much as needed to win the race. That's why I won a bundle on Thunder Gulch. Winning the FoY & Fla Derby should've been enough to back him. They were so may naysayers after the lackluster Blue Grass. I took a gift 25-1 & giggled to the window.

I went down in 2001. It was some experience. Walking around chatting w/ poeple. You can't see much from the infield but its still a party in there. I wished I had liked Monarchos as much as Point Given that day. Also got to take a peek @ Keeneland before I left. Two great tracks! Can't wait to get back down there.