That's Why They Call it Horse Racing

The Kentucky Derby picture became slightly blurry over the weekend when two long shots won the last two major Derby preps. Line of David went wire to wire to win the Arkansas Derby by a neck and Stately Victor ran away with the Blue Grass Stakes on the poly track at Keeneland. Both horses punched their respective tickets to the Derby.

Line of David went off at 17 to 1 and ran in front for the entire race. He actually set a fast pace, putting up some pretty impressive early fractions, and hung in there down the stretch when he was challenged for the lead by closing Super Saver and Dublin. Yes, he beat some impressive horses, even though the colt had never run in a stakes race. The time was 1:49.37.

Stately Victor went off at 40 to 1 and beat an impressive looking Paddy O'Prado by 4 1/2 lengths. The time on the poly track for the 1 1/8 mile race was 1:48.69. He was a last minute addition to the field and the early fractions in this race were fairly slow.

So what do we make of these winners? I'm not sure. Conventional wisdom would suggest they would not be factors in the run for the roses (perhaps they are just one shot wonders) but I have to admit, I was impressed by Line of David's grit in the stretch and the apparent ease with which he set the pace. He is a big horse with a loping stride and he clearly likes to be in the lead. I wouldn't rule out the fact that he might set the early pace in the Derby and depending on post position might just have enough in the tank to hang in there down the stretch. He won this race coming off two prior turf races and it is clear he doesn't mind the switch in surfaces.

Stately Victor's victory on the poly track leads to all sorts of questions about surface as well as the fast time. It remains to be seen not only whether or not this horse likes the dirt as much as the synthetic as well as if he beat any other true contenders.

Can anyone beat Eskendereya is the question, of course, but I think it is also safe to say that we shouldn't rule out Dublin or Super Saver so fast. Sidney's Candy remains in the running (depending on whether or not he likes having dirt kicked in his face) as well as Lookin at Lucky.

Basically from where I sit, it is anybody's race and that is why they call is horse racing.