But try to remember how you felt watching Indian Charlie's Santa Anita Derby. Granted, Monarchos looked like a world-beater circling horses with that dramatic move in the Florida Derby. And you've got Baffert, who says his other colt, Congaree, can win the Wood. You see, a trainer knows his own horse, but he doesn't know beans about the other guy's horse. This goes for the best of trainers too.
Tangible evidence is something else entirely.
For some unknown reason, Hofmans has yet to pronounce him the best horse to ever set foot on the planet. Anyway, we will find out just how well he's doing in the Blue Grass, the most contentious of tomorrow's big races on paper. He's in there with Dollar Bill, the tepid 9-5 favorite, Hero's Tribute, A P Valentine, Songandaprayer and Invisible Ink, all of whom have license to improve. Monarchos, listed at 4-5 on the morning line, will face Congaree, It's So Simple and Richly Blended in the Wood. The race attracted a full field of 12, so evidently he scared no one away with his lofty speed figures.