Arkansas Recap

   Horseplayers are really an odd lot. Reading the posts on some websites that are really into speed and pace handicapping makes me wonder about the logic being used by them. As the years go by and these horses with the "Figures" get beat time and time again the numbers boys come up with all kinds of theories as to why. They are really a joke.
   Another one that makes me laugh are those handicappers that think they know something about pedigrees. The very first thing out of their mouth is the sire. The sire could or couldn't get the distance and a lot of other nonsense. As soon as they jump on the sire as their support for or against a horse I know they know nothing.
   As to the AK Derby; I had to consider The Factor simply because of his speed. As I reported, his pedigree was doubtful as to the distance but sometimes a horse has enough speed to outrun his pedigree. In The Factor's case, it's my opinion that he suffered the same fate as horses like Hard Spun and Big Brown when they were defeated. Great runners but they were taken off their game by an attempt to rate them. Some horses take kindly to rating and some don't. They tried it with the free running Comma To The Top recently and it didn't work. The trainer then stated that in the SA Derby he was just going to let the horse go and he just got nipped. Speed is such an asset and to take a free running machine like The Factor and try to throttle him down is a huge mistake.
   I have touted Arch as the best bred horse on the TC Trail all year and he proved something yesterday. Another that I liked is J W Blue but he was severely compromised by his post position yesterday. He won't make the KY Derby but don't count him out of the other races, he will be heard from.
   I really couldn't understand all the hype about Elite Alex and didn't consider him all year as a major contender. Another case of pedigree readers placing all their faith in the immediate sire.
   There are a couple of minor preps left but the next big stop on the trail is the big one. I will review them again and most will be eliminated although there is one that might jump into the fray that has superb classic breeding and I will discuss him in a future post.
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