Jan
14
Brother Derek
Filed Under Uncategorized
My brother’s name is Derek. The horse Brother Derek broke his maiden on the day of my brother’s 40th birthday. In fact, for the only time in my handicapping career, I picked the then 2-year-old colt because of his name and the date on which he debuted. Just way too much coincidence at work here, I thought. With my brother’s $50 on his nose, Brother Derek rallied from way off the pace that day to break his maiden at 9/5 odds (after being hammered down from the morning line). Needless to say, my brother, who is not in the racing business and only makes it to the races at Del Mar once or twice a season, has closely followed the career of the equine Derek.
But I’ve been off the bandwagon for quite some time now. I jokingly said on radio host/publicity director Mike Willman’s show last weekend that I would parade him around the infield on my shoulders the next time the horse won. Well, I don’t have to worry about any heavy lifting tomorrow. After a perfect stalking trip, BD was outrun again in the San Fernando, finishing third behind AWESOME GEM and MIDNIGHT LUTE. Tell me there won’t be more excuses after Derek was squeezed slightly by ‘Lute at the top of the stretch. BD was third best and that’s where he wound up. After a fantastic start to his career, Derek is winless since last year’s Santa Anita Derby.
Then came excuse after excuse. Fourth in the Kentucky Derby after a wide trip. Fourth in the Preakness after steadying around Barbaro when that one broke down. Fourth in the El Cajon at Del Mar because he needed the race. Second in the Goodwood behind Lava Man, which, in retrospect, was his best effort in months. Fifth in the BC Classic against the best in the world. Finally, seventh in the Malibu after being blocked behind horses (forgetting the fact that he had no run and lugged in repeatedly when clear). However, anyone paying close attention knew this wasn’t the same horse we had seen earlier in his career. Or else the other ones had caught up. He was a “bet against” today…the only problem for us was that he held third, drastically reducing our winning trifecta that used ALL in the third spot.
Three winners today for Espinoza, who tied Gomez at the top of the standings. These two are turning into a procession, especially with the absence of P.Val.
NOTIONAL was impressive in winning the San Rafael, so now Doug O’Neill has the enviable problem of having to separate his three talented sophomores (Liquidity and Great Hunter are the other two), all owned by Paul Redham.
Bob Baffert unveiled a fast debut winner in TEXAS VOYAGER, who ran away and hid while running 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.3.
Another Pick Six carryover after more double digit winners in full fields. Tomorrow’s pot starts at $178,390.
Good luck, it looks much more “handicappable” than today’s card.
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