Everyone has their own take on what horse will win the GI Kentucky Derby this year (rightfully so), but Bill Finley's article in Monday's TDN (“On Disappointing Saturday, Irish War Cry Didn't Disappoint”), is an unusual spin on things, especially regarding the GI Santa Anita Derby. He mentioned the “good fortune” of Gormley, who only won the race, according to Mr. Finley, thanks to a fast pace that fell apart.
He writes that Gormley had “an absolutely perfect trip under Victor Espinoza” who had “no problem getting by the tiring front runners.” So apparently Espinoza was the primary factor in Gormley's victory, not the horse. If the leaders were tiring, how come no other horses passed them?
So Gormley, was “lucky,” according to Finley. This shows no respect to the horse, who is one of the best of the current Derby contenders. He had run a poor race in the GII San Felipe S., when he tired after chasing Mastery. Now he comes back and wins the Santa Anita Derby and is 4 for 6 in his career, with the only other loss being in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile to Classic Empire.
Perhaps Gormley is a much better horse than Mr. Finley is willing to admit. Let's also admit that Gormley's victory said a great deal about how good a horse Mastery is. He was a horse that truly lived up to all the Derby hype, and it's a shame that his injury has taken him off the Derby trail.
Finley also fails to mention how second-place finisher Battle of Midway ran an excellent race, beaten only by a half-length after a wicked pace (:22.66, :46.55). Here was a horse who had only an allowance win under his belt, yet ran a terrific race, as did Royal Mo, who ran third, beaten by a length for all the money, after running three wide most of the race, from the 13 post position.
If Battle of Midway does run in the Kentucky Derby, he will pose a big threat. Let's give the horse and his conditioner, Jerry Hollendorfer, a lot of credit.
One final insult to Gormley from Mr. Finley, when he writes, “because of his good fortune, Gormley will be one of those horses that many will discount come Derby week.” Discount him all you want, Mr. Finley, but I'll be including Gormley–and Battle of Midway–in my exotic wagers that day. They've earned their right to be there. Shouldn't they have earned your respect?
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