What Justify has between the ears just as important as talent

Thomas, 49, of Chester County, Pennsylvania, has been described many ways, but equine sports psychologist is probably the most apt. He’s self taught, having learned the ways of the horse by studying wild herds in the West and then applying what he learned to thoroughbred racing.

His business, THT Bloodstock, consults with buyers at sales or owners considering claiming a horse, works with clients with underachieving horses and occasionally offers input on breeding to avoid reinforcing “genetic sensory deficiencies” or other negative traits. He’s even worked with horseplayers entered in handicapping tournaments.

But in all those scenarios, he looks for horses that possess “the elite psychology combined with the physical package.”

“When you find that, you’re getting the car and the driver,” he says.

While most of the year he works privately with clients, he and his director of equine services, Pete Denk, dive into public handicapping once a year with an analysis of the Kentucky Derby contenders that is sold by Brisnet.com.

To prepare that report, he goes through the prep races of each contender “frame by frame,” looking at their behavioral tendencies, how they react in stressful situations and their “dependencies and co-dependencies” with other members of the herd. And once in a great while he finds “a horse that can release themselves from the herd environment and take off.”

I urge readers to visit the THTBloodstock.com website, click on the Big Race Analysis tab and read Thomas and Denk’s piece on the Derby. It’s a fascinating read, particularly knowing what we now know about this year’s 3-year-olds.

As for Justify, whom he ranked as “the top Herd Dynamic” horse heading to Louisville, Thomas’ enthusiasm has only grown since then.

“He has incredible natural instincts in different environments,” he said this week. “It became clear early on that the very unique thing about him was the fact that he could respond to what’s happening behind as well as what’s going on in front of him.

“He has the mental aptitude and physical ability to win the Triple Crown. … I don’t see any horse competing anywhere in the U.S. that has the mental capacity to take him down. It’s just a matter of will he have the physical stamina to do it. The pressure for him is kind of compounded because all these other guys are strategizing how to beat him.”

We’ll learn the answer to that question June 9.

#RJhorseracing featured races

This week, the #RJhorseracing handicappers are tackling two turf races at Penn National racetrack: the $200,000 Pennsylvania Governors Cup Stakes and the $500,000 Penn Mile (Grade 2).

In the former, a 5-furlong dash for older horses on what could be a soggy lawn, the crowd ’cappers are going with the classy 2-1 favorite, Pure Sensation, who looks ready for his best after a prep at Gulfstream Park. They’re more daring underneath, with Grasshoppin (12-1) and Dubini (10-1) second and third.

I’ll give Dubini a look, hoping the 5-year-old gelding can tag ’em at the wire in his comeback.

In the Penn Mile for 3-year-olds, the crew narrowly favored 5-2 morning line favorite Maraud over Therapist (3-1) and Hawkish (5-1).

My copy desk colleague and regular crowd ’capper, Paul Pearson, recommends an exacta box with “Maraud, He’s Bankable (6-1) and Therapist.”

I’ll take a flyer with Smart Remark (12-1), who has run well in two turf starts and should get a nice stalking trip behind He’s Bankable.

Join the fun next week by dropping me a line via email or Twitter (hashtag #RJhorseracing).

Contact Mike Brunker at mbrunker@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4656. Follow @mike_brunker on Twitter.