Hard Spun Tops Early 2007 Triple Crown Prospects

triplecrowntrail · Postby **triplecrowntrail** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:59 am

http://2007triplecrowntrail.blogspot.com/ for full analysis

Hard Spun (Danzig), the promising 2yr old tops TCT's Kentucky Derby Rankings. The impressive son of Danzig has been brilliant in both of his wins. Winning his debut at Delaware on Oct. 22, by 8 3/4 lengths, and returning November 14 to win the Port Penn Stakes at Delaware by five lengths. Currently staying at Barbaro's old stomping grounds of Fairhill, he is expected to start next in the PA Nursery, a race won by 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones. Owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, of Rockport Harbor fame, and trained by a TCT favorite, Larry Jones, the 2yr old colt is ridden by Mario Pino, who lost his Kentucky Derby mount last year on Sweetnorthernsaint due to a needed surgery. TCT believes the 3 men who make up the owner/trainer/jockey combination currently have the horse with the best chance to find his way into in the winner's circle on the first Saturday in May.

2.Street Sense
3.Tiz Wonderful
4.Nobiz Like Shobiz
5.Circular Quay
6.Any Given Saturday
7.Day Pass
8.Minefield
9.Les Grands Trois
10. Pirate's Deputy

Nerd · Postby **Nerd** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:39 pm

Interesting. Of those on that list and the 'on the radar' list, I would rank them (in terms of their chances of finishing well in the derby)

1. Hard Spun, Street Sense
3. Circular Quay
4. Nobiz Like Shobiz, Scat Daddy, Tiz Wonderful
7. Any Given Saturday, Birdbirdistheword
9. Belgravia, Soaring By
11. Day Pass, Minefield, Principle Secret, Twilight Meteor
15. Green Vegas, Les Grands Trois, Pirates Deputy

Still Dreaming · Postby **Still Dreaming** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:37 pm

Where does Dreaming of Anna factor in all this?
Yes, she's a filly, but she's been successful against colts and over the Churchill Downs surface. Besides, what's not to like about an unblemished record?

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 10:48 pm

Still Dreaming wrote:Where does Dreaming of Anna factor in all this?
Yes, she's a filly, but she's been successful against colts and over the Churchill Downs surface. Besides, what's not to like about an unblemished record?

What I wanna know is when does she face the boys in 2007. They had plans with Sweet Catomine that didn't work out. Sounds like the owner's got some serious hopes and dreams for her. If she lived up to even one of them it'd be a terrific story.

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:37 am

OOOOh Heidi, you pinched a raw nerve in me when you mentioned Sweet Catomine. I still cringe...sorry. :shock:

Obi-Wan · Postby **Obi-Wan** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:44 am

Still Dreaming wrote:Where does Dreaming of Anna factor in all this?
Yes, she's a filly, but she's been successful against colts and over the Churchill Downs surface. Besides, what's not to like about an unblemished record?

We did not factor her in for two reasons. Her race was just too slow compared to Street Sense on the same track on the same day to think she could win the Derby. We don't think she is even as good as the two year old filly Boca Grande. Hard to include her when we don't think she will run. She is good though and we would put her on the list if she ran well against the boys in one of the preps.

Denise · Postby **Denise** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:29 am

Those of us in the mid-Atlantic are thrilled that yet another horse from our area sits atop this list. Here's hoping his 3yo. campaign is thoughtful.

CA Michael · Postby **CA Michael** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:00 pm

What's the current news on Les Grands Trois? His maiden win was no less than spectacular. Unless he's been laid up to injury, I'm thinking that perhaps his connections elected to let him and grow and mature while the other 2yo's beat up on each other.

Ill-bred · Postby **Ill-bred** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:16 pm

I've loved Day Pass since seeing him at the Kee April sale, but I don't see him as a two-turn horse.