3 YOs of 2017

[PJMIII]

El Areeb (3-Year-Old Colt)
Date: March 17, 2017
Track: LAUREL PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 51:40 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 22/28

[Izvestia]

Conquest Fahrenheit is a serious racehorse. Looking forward to more of this colt.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... ena-stakes

[BaroqueAgain1]

Really impressed by the way he won. He also has one of the longest necks I've seen.

[stark]

Classic Empire, the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male of last year, refused to break off for an apparent workout Sunday at Palm Meadows, and as of Monday he has worked just once, on March 12, since his third-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 4. His next intended start, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 8, is now just 19 days away.

Calls placed by Daily Racing Form on Sunday and Monday to trainer Mark Casse and his son and assistant, Norman, had not been returned as of noon Eastern on Monday.

http://www.drf.com/news/classic-empire- ... fuses-work

[Catalina]

Classic Empire, the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male of last year, refused to break off for an apparent workout Sunday at Palm Meadows, and as of Monday he has worked just once, on March 12, since his third-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 4. His next intended start, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 8, is now just 19 days away.

Calls placed by Daily Racing Form on Sunday and Monday to trainer Mark Casse and his son and assistant, Norman, had not been returned as of noon Eastern on Monday.

http://www.drf.com/news/classic-empire- ... fuses-work

So there's two options, either the horse is just an obstreperous bastard, or the horse knows that something isn't feeling right, even if his people haven't figured out what. Do you really want to take a chance on him just being obstreperous?

[BaroqueAgain1]

I suspect a third option; he's being obstreperous because, the last time he raced, his foot hurt like hell. He is still afraid that he's going to experience that again, and this colt has shown that he has a mind of his own.
Until he gets confidence again, and trusts that he's OK, he may remain a reluctant runner. His trainer has his hands full here.

ETA: Better news:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... s-at-ocala
Sounds like a change of scenery helped put the colt at ease.
Still think he's far behind in his preparations. Guess we'll find out in the Blue Grass.

[peeptoad]

For me CE is a write off as far as Derby goes. Too many issues and setbacks and it sounds like he still isn't over them. Time is short; he could do everything perfectly from this point forward and I still wouldn't bet him.

[Tessablue]

For me CE is a write off as far as Derby goes. Too many issues and setbacks and it sounds like he still isn't over them. Time is short; he could do everything perfectly from this point forward and I still wouldn't bet him.

Same; he'd be iffy even without these issues. A horse refusing to work, especially a horse with known issues, is a major red flag. Would rather see them back off of him.

[barbaro111]

For me CE is a write off as far as Derby goes. Too many issues and setbacks and it sounds like he still isn't over them. Time is short; he could do everything perfectly from this point forward and I still wouldn't bet him.

Same; he'd be iffy even without these issues. A horse refusing to work, especially a horse with known issues, is a major red flag. Would rather see them back off of him.

I think they should back off him but it does not sound like they will--they have Derby stars in their eyes

[Izvestia]

Really impressed by the way he won. He also has one of the longest necks I've seen.

I love the way he bounded along so easily with his ears relaxed. He's big and long, I think he's awesome!