The astronomical money that is being given out for weak Derby prep races like this year's Louisiana Derby and Wood Memorial reminds me of a philanthropist throwing away a lot of money just for the gesture and public relations without really researching the charities he is benefiting. These races are true plunders. They seem to show that the 3-year-olds are exceptionally weak, to repeat my opening sentence adjective. But then the Santa Anita Derby is a completely different story. It's a compelling and deep race with impressive established horses and non-established potential stars. I understand it's an undertaking to ship east, and that Derby schedules are best planned in adnavced, and the California trainers didn't know how weak the Louisiana Derby and Wood would be. But it still doesn't seem to quite make sense that, for less money, the Santa Anita Derby has eight of the 10 best horses putting together Wood and Santa Anita Derby. My top 10 would be something like this.
1. Creative Cause
2. I'll Have Another
3. Midnight Transfer
4. Gemologist
5. Liaison
6. Alpha
7. Holy Candy
8. Brother Francis
9. Paynter
10. Longview Drive
Before you protest too strongly, Street Life is 4-1 on the morning line in the Wood, with a best Beyer of 85. He seems to have been shifted to Aqueduct two starts ago because he wasn't good enough to compete in Gulfstream maiden special weights. That's a bit of speculation, but not without merit.
Usually, when I make these kinds of over-the-top statements, they're just what is needed to send Wood Memorial graduates on to a Derby exacta or some such thing. The Wood horses will need the complete blessing of the racing gods (or, should I say, the grace of my wrath), for such a thing to happen, however.
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