A triple Crown that we didn't see coming!

[wilf]

I don't usually weigh in on the heavyweight issues on the forum in case I am shown up by my more astute colleagues, however I have some spare time in the barn waiting for the vet and I had a serious idea spring into my head for once. My epiphany conjured up the ridiculous idea that in Animal Kingdom we have a very nice horse in a seemingly moderate crop of 3yr olds and just maybe he can win all three legs. He has been under the radar and now we have a rapidly improving colt without all the hype that has overwhelmed many of those that have gone before him and he has not been beaten up on the Derby trail of dirt races here there and everywhere. Perhaps he will stay sound and give us all something new to cheer about now that Zenyatta has retired. I have a really good feeling about this horse and his trainer...........no really!!

[TJ]

I don't usually weigh in on the heavyweight issues on the forum in case I am shown up by my more astute colleagues, however I have some spare time in the barn waiting for the vet and I had a serious idea spring into my head for once. My epiphany conjured up the ridiculous idea that in Animal Kingdom we have a very nice horse in a seemingly moderate crop of 3yr olds and just maybe he can win all three legs. He has been under the radar and now we have a rapidly improving colt without all the hype that has overwhelmed many of those that have gone before him and he has not been beaten up on the Derby trail of dirt races here there and everywhere. Perhaps he will stay sound and give us all something new to cheer about now that Zenyatta has retired. I have a really good feeling about this horse and his trainer...........no really!!

Hi Wilf,
Funny I was having the same thought, but was afraid I'd jinks him:>) He ran a heck of a race and finished real strong....there will be some new shooter's in Maryland, but he should be able to handle them....but will the pace be as helpful as it was in the Derby....that will be the key. It would be nice though. TJ

[ratherrapid]

trust ur eyeballs? obviously great horse?

[Patuxet]

I've felt all along that with his bottom line he'd be a lock on the Belmont. Now a Triple Crown doesn't seem all that unlikely. As he heads into the Preakness, I remind myself of the commanding speed his sire exhibited when he won the Atto Mile.

[spex4me]

Wilf I respect your mind (well sometimes) so I agree. I was thinking after the race, since 20/20 hindsight is perfect and I never even gave him consideration based on the whole blah blah blah no dirt races crap.... That if he can shut them down in the Preakness then the Belmont should be case closed for AK. Now hopefully that 20/20 becomes foresight and I can make some cotton picking change on the Preakness lol!!
To me if he notches more than a dozen races and proves longevity he is a hell of a sire prospect too. Please do not march this one to the shed if he pulls it off PLEASE!!!!!

[Lisann]

Heck, I'll jump on the AK bandwagon, too. I'd love to see a triple crown winner. Let's hope he's gobbling up his feed and raring to go for the Preakness.

[TJ]

They're coming out of the woodwork for the Preakness.....may be tougher than the Derby. Only four from the Derby may face the Animal again....Shackleford, Dialed In, Mucho Macho Man and Santiva. Add newcomer's Astrology, Dance City along with Flashpoint who will assure a fast pace, Concealed Identity, King Congie, Norman Asbjornson, Prime Cut, and Sway Away. Mr. Commons is a possible for the race. TJ

[oliverstoned]

I was wary of the supposed turf horses in the Derby, but was drawn to them because they truly had the distance pedigrees (Brilliant Speed, Master of Hounds and AK). Ended up going with BS but had AK on top in 4 of my 50 superfectas (I'm so greedy). Anyway I too have this feeling Animal Kingdom might just be the one, and if so do you then target the Arc?

[zinn21]

I read that there are 9 new shooters set for the Preakness. And Nehro is scheduled to point for the Belmont. That's what makes it so tough to win the TC, IMO nowadays. Fresh horses...

[vineyridge]

there needs to be some way to encourage KD horses not to skip one of the other TC races. Maybe some sort of points based bonus?

[Dave C]

there needs to be some way to encourage KD horses not to skip one of the other TC races. Maybe some sort of points based bonus?

Why mess with tradition? There were always local horses who wouldn't ship to other races.

[TJ]

there needs to be some way to encourage KD horses not to skip one of the other TC races. Maybe some sort of points based bonus?

Hi Viney,
It would be hard to create such an incentive between injuries and horses that didn't belong to begin with. Stronach's incentive to get good horses to the Preakness worked in the case of Dialed In....normally Zito likes to win the Belmont and passes on the Preakness, mainly because of the two week turn around....but this year he's taking a shot because of the 5.5 million dollar bonus to a horses that wins the Holy Bull and wins the Preakness. Honestly when more than 1/2 the field are taking shots in the Derby....the cream rises to the top and in most cases the Preakness recieves a better group of 3YO's....that and those that weren't ready or not 100% for the Derby or were thought not to be able to go 1 1/4 (like Flashpoint....who will have a new trainer for the Preakness).....or just missed the money cut-off (like Mr. Commons, Sway Away and Dance City). TJ

[Bast]

there needs to be some way to encourage KD horses not to skip one of the other TC races. Maybe some sort of points based bonus?

Why mess with tradition? There were always local horses who wouldn't ship to other races.

The entry-by-earnings is not a tradition receding back into the mists of time. As late as 1969, the Derby connections had enough sense to start only 8 horses in the Kentucky Derby.

Excluding 2 y o earnings might make things more interesting, as would excluding earnings for races under 1 1/8 miles. We might see more 1 1/8 preps. Or weight 1 1/8 with more points than shorter races.

If the idea is to field the most capable group of horses, graded earnings alone is not the way to do it.

[vallygirl927]

I'm on the bandwagon too. The distance in the Belmont should be no problem for him!

[bdw0617]

I read that there are 9 new shooters set for the Preakness. And Nehro is scheduled to point for the Belmont. That's what makes it so tough to win the TC, IMO nowadays. Fresh horses...

i'm not worried about them for the same reason I wasn't worried about nehro actually winning the derby. AK would have to regress to lose against them and i don' tsee that happening.