Rail Trip

arazi · A huge disappointment for Ron Ellis to lose Rail Trip. Good article by Jeremy Plonk. You can't blame an owner for wanting to change his mind... but you'd hope they would take a freakish loss in stride a little better. · 15 days ago

medlocke · I certainly give David Flores a ton of credit for the tactics he used in this race. Diving Awesome Gem down to the rail to save ground, then getting Awesome Gem to respond well, and run on very stoutly through the stretch. But you can't overlook the fact that Rail Trip was 7lbs. heavier than Awesome Gem in the race. Coupled with the fact that Rail Trip was hung out about 4 wide the entire race. Still, coming off the last turn, it looked like Rail Trip was going to be off to the races. But Awesome Gem ran a gallant stretch run himself. Finally banking the first Grade 1 success of his career. After more than a few near misses over the years. But top to bottom, I still believe the weight differential and how wide of a trip Rail Trip got throughout the race was more of a deciding factor in the outcome than was how well Awesome Gem ran in the Hollywood Gold Cup. TJMO. · 20 days ago

gardenesque1 · There is no doubt that Rail Trip was best in the Gold Cup. It turned into an odd event after Tres Borrachos blew the break. There was no separation and Rail Trip took the worst of it from a trip standpoint. Still, it was nice to see Awesome Gem get his grade one. · 20 days ago

medlocke · You sure can't take anything at all away from the magnificent ride that David Flores gave Awesome Gem today at Hollywood Park to win the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup. Flores dove to the rail, to save the ground, and was just able to hold Rail Trip off by a neck to give Awesome Gem his first career Grade 1 victory. Rail Trip ran a fabulous 2nd place effort though. Factor in that Rail Trip was carrying 7lbs. more than Awesome Gem. Also, that he got hung out about four wide around the last turn going for home. Still, Rail Trip came off of the last turn and sling-shotted briefly into the lead. When Rail Trip came off the last turn in the lead, I thought he was off to the races. But Flores dove Awesome Gem to the rail, and Awesome Gem picked up speed very nicely in the stretch. Having the rail and saving the ground was what definitely won this race today for Awesome Gem. IMO. · 21 days ago

medlocke · I think Shirreffs and Moss have decided they'll take their chance at sealing Zenyatta's greatness by trying to win back to back Breeders Cup Classics. I think right now it's all entirely about the Breeders Cup with them. I don't think they care at all about any glory that Zenyatta could achieve on the way to Churchill Downs. All they want is to get this mare to Churchill Downs in November, as healthy and fit as possible, and hopefully still undefeated to that point. I do, however, think Zenyatta is going to have a tougher row to hoe in the 2010 Classic. Not because it's on conventional dirt. I think Zenyatta's two performances at Oaklawn on conventional dirt show that this mare can handle the surface. It's because there's going to be some much tougher competition this year. IMO. Both Quality Road and Blame are both magnificent colts over conventional dirt. I think Blame could be a very dangerous colt. One that could easily upset Zenyatta's bid, or Quality Road's for a Classic crown. Plus, there will likely be some strong Euro contingent in the race as well. If Zenyatta is able to come east in November, and beat the potential field that's lining up for this year's Classic? Even people who don't like this mare could not logically ever question her greatness. JMO. · 25 days ago

humphrey · Put Quality Road in the same starting gate, and the rather thin skinned pace mare will IMPLODE, particularly at 10 panels. The West coast mare can just look at that implosion and may be able to catch HIM. · 25 days ago

humphrey · That is less than the colts toted the first of May at Churchill. Ack Ack won this wire to wire under 134. That was something. This is an 1100 pound animal that generally worked under exercise rider upwards of 140...WEIGHT is the most over touted aspect of racing today. · 26 days ago

laccmck · Good article. Rachel is back!! We were there Saturday and what a thrill it was! Your comment ''Rachel seemed to remember who she was'' reminded me of my 11-year-old grandson's comment as Rachel pulled ahead and came towards the finish line ''Look how she's looking at the crowd - she knows she's winning!''. LOL · 47 days ago