The time has come fellas, the 140th Run for the Roses is just around the corner. I have been eyeing this horse for the past several weeks and although i am not thrilled with the post position draw I still feel this horse gets it done on Saturday.
Swag Stables will be backing #19 Ride On Curlin, morning line 15-1, saddled by Calvin Borel.
A steal for $25,000 in the 2012 yearling auction, ROC is one of 2 horses trained by Billy Gowan. The other horse being a $5,000 no name glue bunny. ROC had a couple good finishes in the derby prep races leading up to the first saturday in May, a 3rd place showing in the Rebel Stakes and a 2nd in the Arkansas Derby. A few things stick out to me about this horse that has me thinking it has yet to peak:
First of all ROC had the fastest final pace figure as a 2 year old over any other derby entrant this year. More recently as a 3 year old, ROC's 4 furlong figures have declined while his final pace figures have improved. This shows me a horse that is learning to conserve its energy, KEY to a grueling race like the Kentucky Derby. Enter jockey Calvin Borel, a 3x derby champion and possibly the best ever on the dirt at Churchill Downs.
You can see what Im talking about with regards to the improving pace figures by viewing the chart below:
One other thing that has had me thinking this horse has a serious shot...Calvin Borel could have pretty much had his pick of what horse he wanted to ride this Saturday. Why would he pick a long shot trained by some no name trainer???? Calvin knows....and so do I !
Swag Stables will be backing #19 Ride On Curlin, morning line 15-1, saddled by Calvin Borel.
A steal for $25,000 in the 2012 yearling auction, ROC is one of 2 horses trained by Billy Gowan. The other horse being a $5,000 no name glue bunny. ROC had a couple good finishes in the derby prep races leading up to the first saturday in May, a 3rd place showing in the Rebel Stakes and a 2nd in the Arkansas Derby. A few things stick out to me about this horse that has me thinking it has yet to peak:
First of all ROC had the fastest final pace figure as a 2 year old over any other derby entrant this year. More recently as a 3 year old, ROC's 4 furlong figures have declined while his final pace figures have improved. This shows me a horse that is learning to conserve its energy, KEY to a grueling race like the Kentucky Derby. Enter jockey Calvin Borel, a 3x derby champion and possibly the best ever on the dirt at Churchill Downs.
You can see what Im talking about with regards to the improving pace figures by viewing the chart below:
One other thing that has had me thinking this horse has a serious shot...Calvin Borel could have pretty much had his pick of what horse he wanted to ride this Saturday. Why would he pick a long shot trained by some no name trainer???? Calvin knows....and so do I !
