tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post1294470806503960181..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Saturday Sophomore ActionAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-8299643903096966742007-02-11T23:46:00.000-05:002007-02-11T23:46:00.000-05:00I was very impressed with Notional (not that i'd c...I was very impressed with Notional (not that i'd consider him @ 37/1). Not only has he demonstrated considerable talent, but he's now shown he can perform well on a non-California surface. That can't be overstated when considering the Derby. Many West Coast horses simply don't perform well over a deeper surface, for whatever reason. I think that's what happened to Spanky Come Home, btw. Also, Notional's win flatters Exhale, who i believe could be a major factor on the Derby Trail if he were able to get some experience. Time seems to be running out on that, however. And speaking of time running out, EZ Warrior was forced to miss the San Vicente today with "foot problems". I think you can stick a fork in that one as far as the Derby is concerned.<BR/><BR/>As for Rags to Riches, i was VERY impressed with her. Although she was exiting a maiden win, and making her first start around two turns (vs. multiple stakes winners, no less), she had shown the ability to lay close to a reasonably fast pace, and then finish well. She had also been working head-up with Circular Quay, which is pretty good company for a lightly-raced filly such as this. In the race, she broke awkwardly and appeared to be climbing a bit while racing greenly. She was then forced about 7 wide around the first turn, which resyulted in her falling way off the pace. She started making good progress approaching the second turn, but then was forced 8-wide again into the lane. I thought she showed a lot of determination (not to mention a nice late kick) in running down the leader to win going away. The time of the race was slow, but i don't think that can be held against her due to the fact she wasn't responsible for the slow pace. Plus she lost a ton of ground. I put her final furlong at roughly 12 4/5, not very fast but ceratinly respectable for a young filly making her two-turn debut. She seems to enjoy running long, and obviously has oodles of talent. Should be a big factor in the Kentucky Oaks, assuming she can get there in one piece. I checked her odds in the pari-mutuel Oaks pool, and she was already a ridiculous 6/1 about an hour after her win. Those things have got to go. Don't even get me started on the Derby prices...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com