I will follow Flashy Bull all the way.

[madelyn]

I met Holy Bull briefly on a recent visit to Jonabell. What a grand old horse he is. He came to the aisle and we chatted for a moment through the bars.

[adrienne]

Hey,
Holy Bull is not completely non commercial. His yearlings avg $49,532 with a med of $30,000 in 05. That's not terrible for a 15,00 stud fee. Seven sold for over $100,000. I agree he was heading in a downward trend but he is not a breed only to race sire just yet. Don't be knocking my boy like that! Looks like he will have two derby runners this year.

Never fear!

In my mind - non-commercial is a compliment

~Adrienne

[fdf]

I looked at Flashy Bull when I was going through the horses for a first future wager pool. Not a huge gambler but like to have something to look forward to over the spring derby trail. I had a couple thoughts first was that he might be just good enough to be close in the G I's but not win them...and second was that a sire has never sired back to back Kentucky Derby winners. It has been close a few times but it has not happened that I can tell from looking at all the past winners. Exclusive Native sired Affirmed that won in '78 and Genuine Risk that won in '80 but back to back years has not happened. I don't know the reason or even if it matters but I feel that the reason it has not happened is that like the saying they have about General's when it comes to battles "that they fight the last war in their next battle" by that I mean that people look to the '05 Derby and think there is no way I am going to let a late closer beat me this year. Just a thought...

[el camino]

That's interesting that a sire has never produced back to back derby winners. The bull has a chance for two entries this year with Flashy and Sacred Light. I think Sacred Light actually has a better chance because of his running style. This derby is setting up to be even faster than last years. I just don't think Flashy Bull can hang near the front end for a 1 1/8 and than have enough left to power to the front. Sacred Light should be moving late and he generally makes his move from mid pack instead of the back like Giacomo.

[Shammy Davis]

Wilf: You are up to 400 looks. This is getting exciting.

[wilf]

Yes, Shammy its a little embarrassing as I know that Flashy may not have enough at the end to get the job done and there are several other new faces that have more improvement in their future. However as a board member with now 1600 plus visitors I shall stick with him as he is on our team and he is providing some entertainment along the way. As a trainer I feel that he is being managed as well as possible by the barn , in fact he had a maintainance breeze today and seems to be doing fine. Obviously he does not need big works to keep him in shape and his last race was a move forward in my mind. If he makes it to Kentucky then I feel that he may like the surroundings and weather, however Ron, Derek, Corinthian and Co will be waiting and thats scary. Along the Derby trail there are many juicy little sidesteps that a horse like him can take and make a good bankroll. Little fish are sweet and the provincial Derbies give away big bucks. It would not surprise me to see him down that road soon.

[Shammy Davis]

Wilf: LAWYER RON looks like the real thing. Very nice test for him today at Oaklawn. Interesting pedigree also. There will be lots of thoughts on pedigrees for the derby, but me thinks pedigree may not play as important a role as in the past. That certainly is the case with HOLY BULL colts. Nice for Bob Holthus and the late James T. Hines, Jr. It's ashame Jimmy couldn't see this play out. I'm a great admireer of both of them. I've got a winning mare here that Jimmy bred. Very nice gal with lots of heart. She a half sister to ELUSIVE CHRIS who sold for $10K recnently at a mixed F-T Kentucky sale and went to PR. There are going to be a lot of sentimental favorites for me this year. I'll have to get the tissues out early. So what are we to think of BLUEGRASS CAT?

[wilf]

Hey Sham, I do feel Lawyer Ron is getting dangerous now its such a shame about his owner......so unfair. As far as Bluegrass Cat I cannot condemn any horses performance over the Tampa sand , its strange stuff and perhaps the winner is an improving colt. I see that Keiran has a nice Jules gelding now after taking the Gotham so Flashy may be taking a back seat and another route through his 3yr old year!

[Shammy Davis]

Wilf: I just can't keep up with all these surfaces, so I'll have to keep my handicapping in line with horses, jockeys, and trainers. I just finished reading Hotaling's "Famous Black Jockeys." Really interesting reading. There was short paragraph on how Churchill Downs in the late 1800's pushed back the sandy loam surface on Derby day to the outside of the track. Jockeys knowing this would always challenge other horses in the race by blocking them to the outside. I probably should make more study of the track surfaces, but having been a farmer I must say that "dirt" doesn't interest me anymore. P. S. I've been watching the races at Turfway on TVG and it appears to me that the dust from polytrack remains airborne longer. It's almost like a mist. Do you think there is anything to it or do I need a more advanced TV?

[wilf]

Yes Sham I have been watching the Polytrack closely as Woodbine has committed to it this year. Imust confess it does look like a snowball fight and yet it seems to be a fair surface and the horses actions seem to be quite comfortable. Anyway having said that I am watching this French kid ride and he is having a ball; his confidence is way up and his horses feel it. This bug boys success is an ongoing story that may end in the history books. You know what ? I think that it deserves a new thread so look out!

[wilf]

Sorry to bump this horse up again however he did work very nicely this morning. I dont think that Ron or Derek are too worried but it is a good sign.

[wilf]

Sorry guys but my horse was never moving well after being sent out of the gate in a hurry, he could not get into the clear and folded his tent pretty quickly. He looked happy and well in post parade but he carries himself a little awkward in a race as if he has hind end trouble. I am sure the barn will get him back in shape and in company he can destroy, a conditions allowance might do it. However the Derby trail is taking shape now with Barbaro a beautiful challenger and the two horse behind him today surely headed on to better things.

[austique]

Flashy Bull reportedly is continuing on to the Derby despite his poor performance today.

[HR LLC]

Austique,

Flashy Bull is owned by a big racing partnership. They buy a lot of horses at the sales and they need potential/current clients to continue to invest in young bloodstock.

Having a horse in the KY Derby regardless of his chances is a good marketing tool.

[HR LLC]

From West Point TB's Website...

FLASHY BULL SHIPS TO KENTUCKY
April 4, 2006


Flashy Bull, West Point Thoroughbreds three year old colt by Holly Bull shipped to Kentucky on April 4th to resume training for the Kentucky Derby.

Flashy Bull ran a disappointing race in the $1,000,000 Florida Derby on April 1st, but it looks like there was a legitimate physical excuse for the poor performance. Upon dismounting, Rafael Bejarano said that Flashy Bull had "the thumps". It was visibly apparent on the track after the race.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he could see immediately after the race that Flashy Bull had a case of the thumps, an electrolyte imbalance that he described as "putting a horse out of rhythm" and which causes a horse's whole body to vibrate.

"We've never had a horse run any good who came out of a race with the thumps, so we did have an excuse," said McLaughlin. "We'll just see how he goes over the next few weeks, but right now we're pointing for the Derby. Last year Closing Argument finished third, beaten 10 lengths in the Blue Grass, and finished second in the Derby. Flashy Bull was also beaten 10 lengths while finishing seventh in the Florida Derby."

Flashy Bull left Gulfstream Park on April 4th and shipped to Keeneland. We'll get him to the cooler weather and let him get back into training. He'll be able to train over the polytrack there, a regimen Kiaran used with Closing Argument last year.