Rip Van Winkle

Rossington · I do think that Zenyatta will play a big role in the Classic on Saturday. As a matter of fact, I think if it's a fast pace, and it's likely to be with Regal Ransom and Quality Road out front, it could even set up for her to have a big chance to win. But as of right now, I'm not sure she should be the morning line favorite. I think Rip Van Winkle, against colts, has accomplished as much as any in the field and should be the favorite. I am, however, quite surprised that Gio Ponti's and Einstein's morning line odds went off the same as Colonel John's, Richard's Kid, and Mine That Bird's. Gio Ponti and Einstein are both far better horses and are much more proven against quality field's than the other 3. Gio Ponti and Einstein both at 12-1 along with Quality Road, all three pretty good bet's to hit the board in the Classic. · 309 days ago

Lmaris · I agree. I see at least 2 horses (Summer Bird and Rip Van Winkle) I'd but ahead of her, and possibly Gio Ponti and Richard's Kid too. Rip Van Winkle and Summer Bird have proven themselves against far better than Einstein and Gio Ponti who have shown themselves to be somewhat vulnerable in comparison. Wish Macho Uno had made the trip. Even with Mine That Bird, Zenyatta is going to find she's not alone in the rear and horses may be moving along side her rather than her blowing by them. First time all year she's going to face a real quality field. We'll what she's made of. · 308 days ago

gardenesque1 · Rip Van Winkle has run through foot problems all year, but in a wide open BC Classic, I want nothing to do with a horse less than 100%. · 308 days ago

cigar · Agreed! Nasty deal... he's one of those have to use, now this gives me an excuse to TOSS. · 308 days ago

cigar · Colonel John would need a career best race and it might not be good enough, but an on-the-board finish at a big price? Maybe. As for Zenyatta, a friend of mine posted this on Facebook: Bob Baffert on Zenyatta taking on the boys in the Classic: "It's a big question mark but it’s going to be answered. It’s a championsip race and that’s what it’s all about. If she’s a true champion she’ll do. It if she’s a filly and mare champion she won’t." · 309 days ago

Rossington · My guess is with Regal Ransom and Quality Road on the front end it will be very quick fractions. This could set up the race perfectly for a late closer like Zenyatta or Gio Ponti. · 309 days ago

Rossington · It's almost game time. After studying it, analyzing it, and playing over and over again in my mind's eye, this is how I see the Classic turning out: Rip Van Winkle turn's out to be as good as Aiden O'Brien advertised and win's the Classic. Provided she goes, Zenyatta closes late but fall's just short of catching RVW and get's second. An also late closing Gio Ponti comes right on Zenyatta's heels and narrowly get's by a tiring Quality Road, who's ran a big race himself, to claim third. That's it, that's how I see the Classic unfolding. So do I need to go see a shrink or what? · 309 days ago

Rossington · I watched the replay of the Coral Eclipse Stakes. What the author of this article describe's did happen, but it happened rather early in the race. The bottom line is when both Sea The Stars and Rip Van Winkle were slugging it out down the stretch, Sea The Stars reached back and got a little more and suddenly accelerated just enough to clear Rip Van Winkle and win the race. But I will say that Rip Van Winkle looked just as equally impressive to Sea The Stars that day in that race. · 310 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. · 315 days ago

Rossington · I say now or never for Zenyatta. If she had been entered in the Goodwood Stakes, Gitano Hernando or not, she could have won that race. There really wasn't much there to beat, imo. MTB who hasn't won a race since the Ky. Derby, Colonel John who runs well on the surface but is a bit overmatched in the Classic, Informed and Parading, whom neither have ran to par for some time now. So with Sea the Stars now retired, I say let Zenyatta run against the boys. Quality Road or Summer Bird are neither proven on the surface. Of the American entries, only Einstein may give her trouble. So let her run, so what if she finished 3rd to Rip Van Winkle and Midshipman. No shame in that. · 330 days ago