Re: Dortmund
Only if he sits off the pace, which he actually is capable of doing. Because if he tries to out-sprint the cheap speed horses, he’ll collapse in the stretch.
There are questions marks with his style and Baffert has compared him to Point Given, who faltered in his Derby attempt. In a 20-horse field (or recent Derbys), almost anything can happen (see: Giacomo beat Afleet Alex).
Three of the last four winners, IIRC, came from the auxiliary gate with California Chrome snapping that trend, so perhaps that will benefit three strong contenders in A.P., Upstart and Far Right.
I think this has the necessary factors for an entertaining race, and the same with the Oaks on Friday. Similar to many, I thought last season’s crop of three-years-olds was subpar but I don’t make that same statement with this group.