Beethoven

Rossington · Being undefeated and winning easily over the synthetics, Looking At Lucky is certainly the horse to beat in the B.C. Juvenile. D'Funnybone is a horse with a lot of natural speed and could certainly be the one to press him. But D'Funnybone has been primarily a conventional dirt runner, which, if he stay's healthy may serve him well in May at Churchill Downs, but it's unclear how he will rate over the pro-ride surface at Santa Anita. The distance of the race may also be a concern for D'Funnybone as well. · 138 days ago

Rossington · Both of O'Brien's horses, Rip Van Winkle and Mastercraftsman are for real. I've watched a lot of replays of races that they've either won or gave Sea The Stars all he wanted. Personally, although O'Brien doesn't seem to think so, I feel that Mastercraftsman is a bit more talented even then Rip Van Winkle. I plan to bet Mastercraftsman whether he's in the Dirt Mile or the Classic. I do, however, feel that Rip Van Winkle will be right there with the front runner's come Classic's end. If she sticks with the Classic, it would for me be difficult not to bet Zenyatta to at least hit the board. She handles the synthetics and most particularly Santa Anita race course as well as any horse in racing does. Since it seems that most good turf horses do well on the pro-ride surface, I also wouldn't rule Gio Ponti out of this race either. Beyond that, it's difficult to say. Einstein has done well here in the past having won the S.A. Handicap earlier in the year. Richard's Kid, although a longshot, has done exceedingly well on synthetics having won the Pacific Classic and finishing third in the Goodwood. Summer Bird and Quality Road are the question mark's to me in the race. Having raced exclusively on conventional dirt, no one really knows how they will fire on synthetics. If he does, I feel Quality Road may be sitting on a big race having been bogged down on off tracks his last two races. Colonel John is also proven on synthetics, although I think this particular group of horses may be a little better competition than he used to facing. All and all, this is a tough race to handicap with a lot of "what if" factors to consider. I anxiously await. · 140 days ago

Rossington · I think Lookin at Lucky and D'Funnybone will be the two to beat in the B.C. Juvenile. In the B.C. Juvenile Turf, Interactif, imo, is the best 2yr.old in training in the U.S. right now, dirt or turf. I wouldn't be surprised to see his connection's after the Breeders Cup races try him on dirt sometime early in 2010. If he takes to the dirt he could be a real player in next year's Triple Crown Series. His toughest competition in the Juvenile Turf, on paper anyway, looks to be the European horse Viscount Nelson as they're both already proven winner's with Interactif being 4-3-0-0 and Viscount Nelson being 4-2-1-1. This race should prove to be an interesting match up between these two juvenile stars. But I'd have to give a slight edge to Interactif. · 140 days ago