smartyslew said:

I think you can guess which California trainers get a shot. Maybe Jimmy Barnes. 

I believe Churchill's rules now specify that a horse trained by a suspended trainer or anybody employed by that trainer, is ineligible.   That's essentially the Jimmy Barnes rule right there.

Trainer suspensions have become a joke with Baffert horses moved to Jimmy Barnes, Asmussen horses to Scott Blasi, Doug O'Neill horses to Leandro Mora,  Pletcher horses to (not sure who his main assistant is now.. Anthony Sciametta?), Richard Dutrow horses to his brother Tony, etc.   So Churchill finally fixed that. If an owner of a Baffert trainee wants Derby points (and ultimately, in the race, and/or to the Belmont Stakes) the horse needs to move to a totally unaffiliated operation.  

Looks like Emmanuel is scratched for today.....hope it's not serious

Yeah, I'm disappointed. Hopefully, it's just a slight fever, or something. 

Well I'm still looking forward to four other firsters at Gulfstream this weekend:

1. Vocalize - Out of Harmonize, in Race 7 today. 

2. Ciango - Out of a mare First Samurai, in Race 4 tomorrow.

3. Sensual Chocolate - Out of a Lightning N Thunder mare, in Race 11 tomorrow.

4. Omixochitl(f) - Out of a Goodbye Kid, in Race 7 Sunday.

How did these do ?

Anything coming up this week ?

3 yr old Beyer leaderboard thru 1/9/22 for 2022 Season.
-------
3-year-olds: male or female
through 01/09/2022

1. Vocalize - This son of Gr.1 winner Harmonize, finished 3rd. Looks like he needs more than 5.5f.

2. Ciango - Was never in the race. Probably will head to the turf.

3. Sensual Chocolate - Ran poorly as well.

4. Omixochitl(f) - Was wide throughout, and tired late. I think she showed some talent. Looking forward to a better trip next out.

This Saturday at Oaklawn, Stockpiler, out of a Bernardini mare, debuts on the dirt at a mile. Trained by Daniel Peitz. His 3rd dam is Azeri!

Dean's List came back with another win on the 8th. He was challenged, and responded with a hard fought victory, covering the 6f in 1:09 1/5.

Thanks for the visuals and updates !

5.5 races help figure who are good gate horses, and like you noted more distance.

The trips for me are the hardest to judge at a short distance race. 

When you get gate 12 in a 5.5f race in your debut race, you have to be pretty special to win. Any out of the money finish, really tells you little.

Baffert doesn't get many MTRs. They probably don't cost enough. However, I am following a 300k yearling Starlight purchase named Faneuil Hall. He is out of a Forest Wildcat mare. I hope Barfert doesn't mess him out!