Mon. Misc.

Albert Stall trained Departing impressively wins Illinois Derby off one 4f work in :47 since March 30.

And so, Departing shows once again that horses can(and sometimes do) perform well off of one fast 4f breeze in 20 days, although we need take note that the horse March 1 to April 19--50 days--had two races and three 4f works total or some speed work every 10 days.  Traditional east coast stuff. Significantly 4 of these 5 speed works were fairly fast.

Connections decision to skip the Derby seems puzzling except that's the way these people think.  They believe, possibly, horse needs a break, whereas I'd think this talented horse, with a little bit more logical work schedule, would be perfectly set up for a max effort in two weeks.  Different stropes, and surely they know a lot more about the horse than yours truly. Occasionally we need thank the good lord there is such a thing as an incompetent trainer.

Our good news--#148 hock swelling suddenly mostly disappears.  Blogger has been in weather rebellion in terms of training.  Finally turn corner on weather 4/21, and first training session in a week.  Previous two weeks were mud combined with record breaking cold in KC.