3 YOs of 2017

[Treve]

Well it's that time of year again.
The young colts and fillies that carry upon their backs the weight of expectation (some more than others) have turned 3.

[Starine]

I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and TVG reposted Malagacy's debut win at Gulfstream, which was quite eye-catching. He's a Shackleford colt from the barn of Todd Pletcher and the win margin was 15 lengths.

[Ridan_Remembered]

I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and TVG reposted Malagacy's debut win at Gulfstream, which was quite eye-catching. He's a Shackleford colt from the barn of Todd Pletcher and the win margin was 15 lengths.

That was quite a race from Malagacy. Certainly a colt to watch as he goes through his conditions or possibly right into stakes company.

[Quiet Chris]

I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and TVG reposted Malagacy's debut win at Gulfstream, which was quite eye-catching. He's a Shackleford colt from the barn of Todd Pletcher and the win margin was 15 lengths.

I wish Todd would not train horses for this guy. He is a brutal guy with connections to some bad stuff in Ecuador, Guatamala, and Mexico. I understand Todd trains horses and is not a politician, and sure people like Brown and Baffert train for the Saudi Family who are no angels , but this guy is really bad news. Many of the types that work on the backstretch come from the same type of families this owner is notorious for crushing. This guy would be a nightmare for Todd if he gets on TC trail and starts getting national attention.

[Somnambulist]

They're as bad as Al Shaqab. Good for him for being able to separate it. I don't know if I could.

[Izvestia]

I have a sneaking suspicion Shackleford will sire horses best at 1 mile or 1 mile 1/16th, and given Pletcher's ability to train prep "champions", or Gulfstream "champions", I don't see Malagacy winning the Derby.

[PJMIII]

Bode's Dream finished 2nd beaten by a neck, on January 7, 2017, at GULFSTREAM PARK in Race 3.

[stark]

Michael Vesce ‏@DRFVesce 4h4 hours ago

2016 BC Juv winner Classic Empire looked great this AM, was well in hand inside Kaigun in 24.80, 49.78, and out 1:03.40. early morning.

[PJMIII]

McCraken Nears 3-Year-Old Season Debut in Florida

Janice Whitham's homebred grade 2 winner McCraken, undefeated in three career starts, continues to train forwardly at Palm Meadows Training Center for his 3-year-old debut, trainer Ian Wilkes said.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... in-florida

[Insane Crazy]

Michael Vesce ‏@DRFVesce 4h4 hours ago

2016 BC Juv winner Classic Empire looked great this AM, was well in hand inside Kaigun in 24.80, 49.78, and out 1:03.40. early morning.

Sure gives me confidence to see the anticipated 2yo champ doing his first work back against a 7 year old.

[Treve]

Michael Vesce ‏@DRFVesce 4h4 hours ago

2016 BC Juv winner Classic Empire looked great this AM, was well in hand inside Kaigun in 24.80, 49.78, and out 1:03.40. early morning.

Sure gives me confidence to see the anticipated 2yo champ doing his first work back against a 7 year old.

Posted about it in his thread but he worked again with Kaigun. Still pretty high on this colt it's a struggle talking myself away from him.
In related news his first race back is projected as the Holy Bull, to which Gunnevera is also pointed
http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/G ... y_Bull_123

[PJMIII]

Mastery (3-Year-Old Colt)
Date: January 18, 2017
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 47:60 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 10/112

[tcw]

With the calendar now flipping over to the new year and the TC trail heating up soon, does anyone know what happened to the early 6.5 and 7F stakes races of the past? Looking at the TC prep races coming down the pipe, I didn't notice EVEN one 6.5F or 7F early prep stakes race at any of the major tracks. It's really too bad as horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and others all began the early prep season with races like this.

[Diver52]

With so many trainers embracing the "two prep" mantra, those races aren't going to draw many classic hopefuls.

[Treve]

With the calendar now flipping over to the new year and the TC trail heating up soon, does anyone know what happened to the early 6.5 and 7F stakes races of the past? Looking at the TC prep races coming down the pipe, I didn't notice EVEN one 6.5F or 7F early prep stakes race at any of the major tracks. It's really too bad as horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and others all began the early prep season with races like this.

Looking at the calendar there are a quite a few 6-7f stakes races carded for 3yos, but I don't think any of them are attributed any Derby points, even the G2 Swale does not offer any points. Which means a lot of trainers aren't 'wasting efforts' on these. Because they're committed to the Derby trail unless they've already gotten a lot of points (I don't know say the Cattlya Sho winner came over stateside early for example or in the case of the BC Juvie winner) they can't really afford to miss an opportunity to earn points. Even the G2 Swale does not offer any points.
It's a shame because it's a great way to sharpen a horse up imho. One of the reasons why I miss the old stakes winnings entry system for the Derby. The other one is we are less likely to see fillies and foreign horses in the Derby now.
(That being said I do also see the benefits of the point system in weeding out those that don't belong but eh. Advantages and drawbacks to everything, I guess.)

[Curtis]

With the calendar now flipping over to the new year and the TC trail heating up soon, does anyone know what happened to the early 6.5 and 7F stakes races of the past? Looking at the TC prep races coming down the pipe, I didn't notice EVEN one 6.5F or 7F early prep stakes race at any of the major tracks. It's really too bad as horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and others all began the early prep season with races like this.

How early is early? The San Vicente at 7f is going to run on February 12 at Santa Anita. It was won by last year's Derby winner.

[Treve]

With the calendar now flipping over to the new year and the TC trail heating up soon, does anyone know what happened to the early 6.5 and 7F stakes races of the past? Looking at the TC prep races coming down the pipe, I didn't notice EVEN one 6.5F or 7F early prep stakes race at any of the major tracks. It's really too bad as horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and others all began the early prep season with races like this.

How early is early? The San Vicente at 7f is going to run on February 12 at Santa Anita. It was won by last year's Derby winner.

It's not an official Derby prep and offers no points. I could be wrong but I think tcw's question is about the official Derby prep races/points races.
Otherwise there's actually about 7, 6-7f Stakes races on the dirt for 3yos carded between now and valentine's day.

[CoronadosQuest]

Three Rules (3-Year-Old Colt)

Your comments for this horse were: TB, DK B/, C, foaled February 1, 2014 ( Gone Astray - Joy Rules, by Full Mandate)

Date: January 21, 2017
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 58:72 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 1/12

[CoronadosQuest]

Made You Look (3-Year-Old Colt)

Your comments for this horse were: 2014 More Than Ready x Night And Day Colt

Date: January 21, 2017
Track: PALM BEACH DOWNS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:80 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 10/25

[PJMIII]

Balandeen (3-Year-Old Colt)
Date: January 25, 2017
Track: OAKLAWN PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 35:00 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 1/14


El Areeb (3-Year-Old Colt)
Date: January 25, 2017
Track: LAUREL PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:60 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 4/6