Mastery

Rossington · I've never seen Vision D'Etat race over any surface except turf in his racing career, so I really don't know what to expect out of him over the Tapeta surface at Meydan. I will say this, that other than a poor finish in the 09' Prix d' le Arc', he's been one of the most "clutch" racing for big money Group or Grade 1 horses in the world in 2009. With victories in the Prix Ganay, The Prince of Wales Stakes, and the Pacific Hong Kong Cup, beating a star-studded field that yielded Presvis, Collection, Ashalanda, and Eagle Mountain but to name a few. He also has one 2nd place finish to Spanish Moon in the 09' Prix Foy, and one 3rd place finish to Trincot and The Bogberry in the 09' Prix harcourt. If Vision D'Etat adapts and run's well over the Tapeta surface, Gio Ponti and Twice over, already proven stayers on synthetics, may be his only real challenges. But if he struggles on the surface, as did Prix Neil and Arc 3rd place finisher Cavalryman, than the race may become a wide open one. JMO. · 19 hours ago

cigar · Great finish to kick off the card! · 131 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. · 139 days ago

invasor · In races in which there are multiple entries, they have carefully ensured the inclusion of pace setters · 141 days ago