Dunkirk Vs. FOY Stars in Florida Derby

[two gun sid]

Two of the last three Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winners came out of the Florida Derby (gr. I), and based on the talent that will go to post in this year’s edition of Gulfstream Park’s signature event, it would not be surprising to see a third go on to wear the roses.

Led by three highly-regarded colts – Dunkirk, Quality Road and Theregoesjojo – a field of nine 3-year-olds was drawn for the 58th running of the $750,000 Florida Derby March 28. The 1 1/8-mile event is the second of three graded stakes on the Gulfstream program, with post time set for 5:44 p.m. EDT.

Despite having just two career starts and making his graded-stakes debut, Dunkirk was installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite, which is no real surprise since the gray/roan colt was also the bettors’ choice when the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 closed March 15.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Dunkirk has sparkled thus far. The son of Unbridled's Song —Secret Status, by A.P. Indy , broke his maiden by nearly six lengths Jan. 24 at Gulfstream, running seven furlongs in 1:25. Less than a month later in a 1 1/8-mile allowance test on the same track, Dunkirk was caught five-wide on the first turn under Garrett Gomez, but moved into winning position around the far turn and pulled away in the stretch to win by 4 3/4 lengths. His final time was 1:50.15.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49826/dunkirk-vs-foy-stars-in-florida-derby

Dunkirk has won a MSW and an Allowance. How does the track handicapper make him the favorite? Against stakes winners?

[trumad]

1. Thanks for the link

Good point on the track handicapper making D-Kirk a fav.

At least Barabaro and Big Brown won stakes races in their limited careers leading up to the Ky Derby.

BUT there's something about this horse that makes me think he's the real deal. Pedigree for sure--- and he chews out dirt in the last couple of furlongs.

Theregoesjojo will certainly finish in the money--- Place or show---I don't know.

Anyhow---- it will be a great race and I'm stoked that I'll be there.

[two gun sid]

3. Past Performances for the FL Derby

http://www.drf.com/formulator-web/free-race.go?trackId=GP&country=USA&raceDate=20090328&dayEvening=D&raceNumber=10#past-performance-race/10

Good Luck, all!

[northernsoul]

2. I'm tempted to take Theregoesjojo across the board

I just downloaded the PPs for Gulfstream this morning and have not yet begun to handicap, but I'm sure that both Dunkirk and Quality Road will be well overbet by Saturday which could make nice odds for Jojo - or could lay the table for some fun superfecta picks.

[northernsoul]

4. Any thoughts on The Swale?

Seems like Big Drama will be favored, but my cursory review showed some other quality horses. Not sure how I'm going to bet this one yet.

[two gun sid]

7. Big Drama has to be favored...

I'm not sure how much value you can find in the Swale.

[aaronbees]

5. OT: Anyone watching Dubai?

Not the greatest World Cup field ever, but I like Asiatic Boy to finally get it done. I'm looking forward to Indian Blessing; she has an outstanding chance in the Shaheen.

Picks-->
Godolphin Mile: Two Step Salsa, Gayego, Kalahari Gold
UAE Derby: Desert Party, Jose Adan, Naval Officer
Dubai Golden Shakeen: Indian Blessing, Diabolical, Marchand D'Or
Dubai Duty Free: Archipenko, Vodka, Hyperbaric
Dubai Sheema Classic: Youmzain, Doctor Dino, Front House
Dubai World Cup: Asiatic Boy, Albertus Maximus, Well Armed



For the Florida Derby, I'll take Quality Road, Dunkirk second, JoJo third. Dunkirk may well be a super horse, but making him the morning line fave is ridiculous. That's hype for ya.

[Justpat]

6. Well, you nailed the mile.

My daughter is there but I haven't heard from her yet.

I like Desert Party for the UAE Derby.
Indian Blessing
Don't have a clue about the Duty Free or the Sheema Classic
I like Asiatic BOy and AM also for the World Cup.



I think IB has her work cut out for her and I like Lucky Quality and Blackseventeen to be on the board also.

[two gun sid]

8. I like Desert Party in the UAE Derby...

Albertus Maximus in the Cup.

In the FL Derby I like JoJo. Dunkirk looks like a great horse but this is a big step up in class for him.

[aaronbees]

12. I'm kind of skeptical of Dunkirk but....

he has shown some toughness and talent. I think it can get him close just not quite there. To get into the Kentucky Derby he has to win, I believe, to get the earnings.

[Justpat]

9. Regal Ransom first

Desert Party second.

[aaronbees]

10. Nice for Alan Garcia

Wonder if the Sheikh will send both Regal Ransom and Desert Party to Kentucky.

[Justpat]

11. great ride by Garcia. n/t

[aaronbees]

13. Sad news about Alysheba

Euthanized after an accident at Kentucky Horse Park last night. RIP, champ.

http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10087471&nav=menu203_2

[Justpat]

14. Sorry to hear about his demise.

I really like that horse. I bred a mare to him in 2000 when he was still at Lanes End. Besides being a great athlete, he was so intelligent.

RIP.

[two gun sid]

17. Very sad. I'm glad he's not suffering, though....

"His career highlights also included Horse of the Year honors and track records for 1 1/4 miles at Belmont and The Meadowlands. Along the way, he defeated Risen Star, Forty Niner, Bet Twice, Seeking the Gold, and another Kentucky Derby-winner, the ill-fated Ferdinand. Until two-time Horse of the Year Cigar came along, Alysheba was the world's richest Thoroughbred, with earnings of $6,679,242.

A memorial service for Alysheba will be planned at a later date."

He was a helluva race horse and competed against and beat the best horses of his time. Bred by a family that gave us so many Derby winners, The Maddens of Hamburg Place. I think Hamburg Place is now a shopping mall. Alysheba's passing is sad on so many levels for me.

[aaronbees]

18. Sorry to bring the bad news

He was a special horse, that's for sure. :hug: I'm glad some of his biggest fans got to see him after he came back to the States.

Duty Free up next!

[tonysam]

26. Alysheba Was a Very Good Racehorse

It took a remarkable ability for him to not lose his balance and fall when he clipped heels with Bet Twice in the 1987 Kentucky Derby.

He was also great in the 1987 and 1988 editions of the Breeders' Cup Classic.

[aaronbees]

15. Big City Man beats Indian Blessing

Great race. The winner started his career at Calder. A little bummed Indian Blessing lost.

[Justpat]

16. She ran game as hell. n/t

[aaronbees]

19. Gladiatorus in a Grand Theft Duty Free

Wow.

[aaronbees]

20. Eastern Anthem wins the Sheema in a nailbiter

Win number two on the day for Ahmed Ajtebi. Someone on my feed said he used to race camels in races as long as six miles. What an incredible day for him. My pick, Youmzain, finished fourth I think.

[Justpat]

22. I'm sorry

but that photo looked like a dead heat to me.

[aaronbees]

21. Well Armed wins the Dubai World Cup

What a classy, cool hores. He won big and with style. I was worried he may be going off form, but happy to see this win; congrats to the great team surrounding him.

[Justpat]

23. No contest.

And I'm glad for Aaron Gryder. He is a class act.

[bread_and_roses]

37. I am always happy to see a Tiznow win

and that was impressive.

[a kennedy]

24. What a looker that Dunkirk is......wow....

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Justpat]

25. Big Drama got taken down in the Swale.

Eibar Coa kept hitting him left handed thru the stretch and he bumped This One's For Phil twice, the second time he bumped him pretty good.

Damn.

[bread_and_roses]

30. Why did he keep hitting him like that?

Looked obvious to me the horse didn't like it. Damn these whips anyway, I hate seeing the jocks beating on the horses.

[Justpat]

33. He should have switched sticks and hit him right handed

so the horse wouldn't go out into the other horse.

It was a dumb ride and I think the trainer had to be pretty upset.

[northernsoul]

38. Arrggghh!

I had Big Drama as part of my pick three! Waaaahhh!

[aaronbees]

27. Quality Road, baby!

Sets a track record to boot!

[Justpat]

28. I hope Trumad didn't lose his shirt.

Great race by Quality Road.

[aaronbees]

29. Trumad may at the strip club ;)

Literally! Hope he won enough to have a fun night regardless. I wonder where Dunkirk goes next and if he has the money to get into the Derby top 20. It will be close.

[trumad]

32. nope

Lost my shirt on Big Drama the race before. Bet a 50 spot only to see it brought down bcause of a silly bump on the homestreatch.

No---I dropped 30 bucks to win on JoJO because Quality road and Dunkirk were even money.

Dunkirk was dead last most of the race and just couldn't get er done. Quality Road is hot and has to be a fav for the derby.

My hope is both Dun and Quality are in the ky derby race---Dont think so though because of the lack of stake wins for Dunkirk.

Hey---Im posting this on my Blackberry which ironically sponsored the race---- at a beach bar at the Weston---so forgive the misspelled words...

Plus Maragrita induced-- damn the spanishj women are Beautiful dwn here.

If Jojo came through I'd be posting this as I get a lap dance.

Tru

[aaronbees]

34. Sounds like you're taking it all in stride

I think we may see Dunkirk in the Preakness. With the English "win and your in" horse and now likely two from Godolphin it may be unlikely Dunkirk makes the Derby list.

Have a grand night with the Spanish women, Trumad!

[two gun sid]

36. You can't win 'em all...

no value in the first two horses. What's the special at Sonny's tonite? All you can eat ribs?

I have to admit I liked what I saw from the top two finishers. Both very nice colts.

[northernsoul]

39. I feel your pain, brother

I made similar bets and experienced similar results. Oh well, on to next week!

[bread_and_roses]

31. I was really taken with Quality Road in the post parade

I had been favoring Dunkirk - who's quite striking too, but looks like a greyhound next to QR - but switched to QR in the post parade.

[two gun sid]

35. Dunkirk is a very nice horse....

I like the move he made to get the lead. He just needs a few more races and more experience.

Quality Road is a monster. Not many horses retake the lead after being passed in the stretch. Gotta like his running style and his courage.

[Justpat]

40. Anyone have any thoughts on the race at Sunland?

$800,000 is a lot of money for a race that is basically a Non winners of a race other than.