IHO is special and as good as Bode is, this is not a good spot for him.
Changing the jockey won't make the difference. This is an overrated horse
The sad part about the Derby is that selfish owners and trainers who control nice horses like Hansen and Trinniberg only care about their own egos and not what's best for the horses. Both these horses need schedules that better suit their racing styles and abilities. Trinniberg should stay in races that are one turn up to a mile. Hansen needs to avoid anythiing over a mile and a sixteenth
cocoa2, you will eat those words down the road. Union Rags is way overrated. Dullahan is far better on synthetic and the 2 horses that will shine are IHA and WTDW.
The problem with Union Rags is that he's not quick. Horses like him many times find trouble in big fields. His ability and his pedigree are a little overrated. The people who bet on him will blame Leparoux, but he is not the problem
If he wasn't by Scat Daddy, I would love him.
War Front must still be considered a question mark at classic distances. Time will tell.
Animal Kingdom proved more in defeat than he did in the Derby. Broke poorly, drops back 25 lengths off the pace, has to check in traffic, hates the dirt hitting him in the face and with it all ,he's the only horse going forward at the finish. This is a tremendous colt, certainly the best we've seen in a few years. Probably best for the long term to rest him until Saratoga. The Belmont is a tough race on any young horse, but time will tell what Motion will decide. Give credit to Shackleford, he's a grinder like First Dude, but he held well, especially after his antics at the gate. By the way he was not washed out at the Derby. He looked great going to the gate
I liked his determination after being interfered with mid-stretch. No 2 yr. old racing is tough to overcome, but this guy showed maturity in the Derby. Proably will be overlooked.
Only if the race falls apart as it often does.