Exception to the Rule

- The other day I wrote that I try not to get too excited by the minutae of daily Derby reports filed by Steve Haskin and others that tell you how great every horse looks and acts. I forgot to mention my exception to that rule: If it’s about a horse that I either like, or are looking for a reason to like, then BRING IT ON, BABY, I’M ALL EARS!! (or eyes, as the case may be.) I also recently mentioned that I’m intrigued about Andromeda’s Hero, after watching several times his efforts in the Arkansas Derby and Lane’s End, in which he closed extremely well and blew by everyone on his gallop-out.. Haskin writes of his 1:01 4/5 work this morning (which he timed in 1:01 1/5, with a final eighth around :11 2/5).

For a horse who has been coming from far back in his races and closing too late, he's extremely quick-footed. He's very smooth and doesn't hit the ground hard. In his last two races, he didn't start running until the race was over, and managed to pass the winners both times after the wire, including Afleet Alex, on whom he made up almost nine lengths while galloping out. If only he could use the quickness he shows in the morning in his races he could make a major leap in the 3-year-old division. One thing is for sure, the 1 1/4 miles of the Derby will help him. This likely will be the most unnoticed work of the morning, but it was one of those sneakily good works that you look for if you're searching for a live longshot. [Bloodhorse]

That’s exactly my concern, that he did not seem very quick-footed around the turns in those races, nor when maneuvering through and around traffic, and just got started too late. Big difference between a morning workout and a race, but his stock has risen for me, and he’s one of the horses who will go off at fairly high odds that I’m considering.

Mike Welsch of the Form checks in with his report as well; he got Hero's final quarter in 23.71 seconds, and comments that This was just the kind of work one would expect from a strong finisher like Andromeda's Hero who caught and galloped out past Afleet Alex shortly after the finish in the Arkansas Derby. [Daily Racing Form]. Greeley’s Galaxy apparently had a very interesting work from both accounts, which ended with him (and his rider) staggering to the finish, check that out.

- The Racing Form has free past performances in PDF format on this page. I've also posted it in the sidebar under Ky Derby Sites. Don't you start to get the point where you feel you don't even need to look at them anymore?

- Bellamy Road's full brother brought only $80,000 at Ocala.