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2013 Arlington Million (G1)

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Date/Track:

8/17/2013, Arlington Park

Distance:

1 1/4 m (Turf)

Age/Sex:

3+ M

Time:

[Add Data]

*Rank is current Power Ranking among all active horses, based on highest HRN rating. Rating is based on HRN member voting.

Rank

Silks

Horse / Sire

Rating

Trainer / Jockey

Last Start

Status

Optimizer
English Channel

7.97

D. Lukas

2nd, 2013 Manhattan Handicap (G1)

Probable

182

Jeranimo
Congaree

7.60

M. Pender

7th, 2013 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1)

Possible

Wigmore Hall
High Chaparral

7.44

M. Bell

3rd, 2013 Jockey Club Stakes (G2)

Possible

359

Bayrir
Medicean

7.37

A. Royer-Dupre

6th, 2012 Hong Kong Vase (G1)

Possible

Fencing
Street Cry

7.30

J. Gosden

6th, 2013 Lockinge Stakes (G1)

Possible

Grandeur
Verglas

6.84

J. Noseda

1st, 2012 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2)

Possible

Planteur
Danehill Dancer

6.27

M. Botti

2nd, 2013 Prix d'Ispahan (G1)

Possible

French Fifteen
Turtle Bowl

6.12

N. Clement

9th, 2013 Dubai Duty Free (G1)

Possible

Afsare
Dubawi

5.79

L. Cumani

8th, 2013 Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1)

Possible

Questioning
Elusive Quality

5.12

J. Gosden

7th, 2013 Ganton Stakes (LS)

Possible

Penitent
Kyllachy

D. O'Meara

8th, 2013 Queen Anne Stakes (G1)

Possible

Trade Storm
Trade Fair

D. Simcock

5th, 2013 Queen Anne Stakes (G1)

Possible

What the Nation is saying about the 2013 Arlington Million (G1)...

Mixed Emotions on the Point of Entry Decision

Should one of America's best horses stay, or should he go?Read More

Show All 50 Comments
DanMunn1 · Disappointment from me. Whilst I feel he may have been hard pushed to be competitive in an Arc, I had heard rumours that he was destined to compete at Royal Ascot. An aim such as the Arlington Million is superb for US turf racing, but is that an easy goal when considering the options he is turning down? · 127 days ago ·

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kaitlinefree1 · i totally forgot about the Arc. i think it would be difficult for him though. i do like POE, but i'm not sure if he is as good as good as Cirrus, Gentildonna, & Orfevre. · 127 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Glad I will get to see Point of Entry run again in the USA! · 127 days ago ·

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ARBY · Any fan who wishes the best from around the world should come to our Breeders Cup but want to keep their stars home can't have it both ways. If you truly want to be the best you must travel to where the best gather year in and year out. It's not just the good 'ol USA. · 127 days ago ·

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ldemgyhas · Owners are in this game to win. Smart owners stay home, pick their spots, and win. This is what they're doing with Point of Entry. Dumb owners who feel they have something to prove to go take on international company for no reason other than to boost their egos. I'm cheering for him, but I doubt Animal Kingdom will have much success in Dubai and England. Point of Entry, however, will be very successful staying here. · 127 days ago ·

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amino998 · If the ground is good in late September, who better to go to Paris representing American racing than the Phipps. And the by-then newly elected President of Austria can provide the impetus. · 127 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Where was this article when Frankel was running strictly in England, and anyone challenging that in the same manner you just challenged Point Of Entry was nothing less than a heretic. To add insult to injury the connections of Point Of Entry aren't making any claims of greatness, for this time period, or all time, as were the connections of Frankel. · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · How surprising. Another attack on Frankel. · 127 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Really? Can you think of another horse in the history of horse racing that this article is more appropriate for than Frankel? How surprising, no defense of an American turf horse. Oh yes, I forgot for a moment, I just did. · 127 days ago ·

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northport · Last I heard, Shug wasn't undergoing treatment for cancer, resulting in him being unable to travel to even local racetracks, let alone fly elsewhere, which was the case for Sir Henry Cecil. I think Point of Entry is a fantastic horse, but he hasn't done half of what Frankel did, so I am a little confused as to why you even bother bringing him up · 127 days ago ·

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northport · Based on POE's record alone, and the fact that he will stand in America as a turf sire, his value can't be compared to an undefeated Frankel when it comes to the risks involved with travelling. I am indifferent to him staying home, I think he will be more successful here anyway · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · The sad thing is that I was fine with their decision if that is what they wanted to do. Then the attack on Frankel. So typical. And so typical that those comments are the only ones liked, except for Arby's which I liked. It is just sad. · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · Point of Entry is a nice horse. There are many reasons why you don't ship a horse. But only Frankel will be criticized. · 127 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · What's cancer got to do with it? Frankel raced without Sir Henry Cecil before, and you well know it. Did Frankel stop racing? No! I used Frankel as a point of reference to defend Point Of Entry, who's been kicked around steadily ever since beating Animal Kingdom because he's absolutely, positively, the "most perfect" horse I can think of who fits the desciption of this article. What's the real problem? That he's an American turf horse and very good? let the likes of Cirrus des Aigles and Orfevre come to the Arlington Million and the Breeders’Cup as Point Of Entry's connections aren't making a secret of his where abouts. As has been said in the past of other horses, "they knew where to find him." · 127 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · Personally, I'm quite excited about seeing Point of Entry aiming for the Arlington Million and Breeders' Cup Turf. The Million always showcases an exciting international field, and I predict a very strong international contingent also in the BC Turf this year. For one, our international friends know at this point that they'll have to bring something better than a second-stringer if they want to run down Point of Entry and his American brethren. For the first time in a long time (too long if you're an American), the American turf horses fought back in 2012 at the Breeders' Cup (Wise Dan/Animal Kingdom, Little Mike/Point of Entry, Zagora/Marketing Mix), and to the Europeans it certainly might appear that the American turf horses are not quite as inferior as they thought. This can be a win-win for we the fans; on the one hand we can feel delighted that so many of our turf stars are capable of matching strides with their international counterparts, and also anticipate strong European fields to challenge them at the B.C. I wouldn't be surprised to see Camelot show up, for example. · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · Always the same thing. Euros have to come here. We are too afraid to send our horse there to run. always the same argument. They have to come here to race. Just sad that Frankel has to be attacked. Always the same. Euros have to ship half way across the world to run on our little turf courses because we can;t possible ship over there. We can't run our horses without meds. It was different when the DWC was on dirt and we had the superior dirt horses. Then everyone could ship to Dubai to run their turf horses against our dirt horses on dirt. Now that it is Tapeta, we aren't so eager. The work has to come to the US to prove themselves. Sorry, it goes both ways. Cirrus des Aigles and Orfevre's connections tell everyone where they are too. And Frankel only raced once, I believe, without Sir Henry. And the BC and Arc were never in their plans. Never. · 127 days ago ·

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northport · Sir Henry missed the Juddmonte International because he was undergoing treatments, I can hardly compare that to having Frankel race in the US without Cecil. If you were ill, and training the greatest horse you and possibly your country had ever seen, the highest valued horse in the world, whose days racing were numbered, you would be fine flying him to America (though it is known Frankel doesn't travel well by plane) to race in the US? As for you expecting CDA and Orfevre to come to America to prove themselves - the highest quality international turf horses will stay where the richest and highest quality turf fields are: England, France, Australia, Japan, and Dubai. I don't think that POE's owners care about the esteem of having an international turf horse, and considering the difference in US turf styles vs. the major turf racing nations, I think keeping POE at home is a good decision, as he can easily dominate in his field. Who is saying Animal Kingdom is the perfect horse? in 4 years of racing he has a single G1 win, and lots of excuses · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · if he is so good, icy, let him prove it without meds on the international scene. He is a nice horse. I like Shug and the Phipps. But demanding Euros come here all the time is lame and favors American horses. Whether you like it or not. · 127 days ago ·

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Age of Reason · Footlick, I hope you weren't referring to me with the "Euros have to come here" comment, because I clearly never said or meant it. If (and this is intended for everyone, including myself) we're going to defend European horses for staying put in their countries because of purse money and race prestige, we should at least be intellectually honest and give American turfers the same benefit of the doubt; thus, I think the assertion that we Americans are somehow "too afraid to send our horses there to run" a bit ludicrous; we're about to send off our strongest Dubai contingent possibly this century, with a Kentucky Derby winner and a Breeders' Cup Turf winner to go with a two-time BC Distaff winner and a Pacific Classic-winning poly-freak, so saying that American owners/trainers "aren't so eager" to take on international competitors on an international stage seems premature at best. Miss you on the BloodHorse Derby blogs, btw, Footy. · 127 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · I am disappointed Point of Entry is not going overseas. Its not often that we (America) get to say we have a "world class" turf runner that has the talent and international credentials to become a top turf sire standing in the USA. I was hoping Point of Entry was going to become the new Gio Ponti. Now I will keep my fingers crossed that Little Mike stays healthy and goes back to Arlington to defend his crown. · 127 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · footlick, I didn't write this article, which is about POE not aspiring to greatness. All I did was use the best point of reference I could think of. A horse to which I believe this article pertains more to than the American horse who is being questioned. As I stated the connections of POE never made any claims of greatness. The connections of Frankel made every claim of greatness possible, and then followed the path of least resistance. Please don't tell me again about European superiority, as in 2012 they came, they saw, and they were conquered. Quite easily I might add. When our American horses prevailed breaking or coming close to world record times were there cries of greatness across this website? No, just excuses piled upon excuses as to how their really not that good and the track was fast. Well that may be, but they all ran on the same surface, just as in Europe. Unlike many here in America, I'm not ashamed that I live in the greatest country ever to emerge on this planet. For those of you don't live here, but consistently run us down, remember that we provide the umbrella of freedom under which you live and use to insult us. northport, If you want to talk horse racing that's fine, if you want to have a discussion on cancer, it won't be with me. Goodnight · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · Age of Reason- It is all well and good to say that we should defend horses to stay here, but our horses always stay here and it is the majority of people who feel a European horse has not proven itself unless it wins a BC race. Europeans send horses here all the time, to run on what they consider bullrings. The turns are too tight and the stretches are too short, but they do win many of the races that they ship here and they have hugely supported our Breeders Cup. We have not returned the favor, and by the attitudes of many, we never will and it is looked upon as fine. We have only shipped to Dubai, more so when it was on dirt as we dominate on dirt. I am always happy when American horses run well. Shug and the Phipps are very special to me. But, the horse did originally have Dubai in the plans. Then they decided to not go after all. And I am fine with that. But it seems to be ok to attack Frankel for not running in races that were never in the plans. They were never going to ship to the BC and they were never going to run him in the Arc. I defended Zenyatta when she stayed in California and everyone else demanded she ship and run a whole season against males. I defended Zarkava when she never shipped outside of France. My problem with American thinking is tht Euros always have to come here and run on our terms and we do not ever reciprocate. But, sadly, I seem to be viewed as being inappropriate because I think that reciprocation is fair. Anyway, it is just not worth it. · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · Age of Reason- I comment sometimes there, but picking a Derby horse in February is a bit premature. · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · Whoever removed the comment, just so you know it was not necessary. I considered the source, and as the source means nothing to me, neither does the comment. · 127 days ago ·

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jay s. · I, for one, am glad he's staying here. I have made the flight to that part of the world several times, including Dubai. It's not easy. Plus, I've spent about two years living in tents in SW Asia, and it's just different over there. The constant airborne dust, bi-weekly sand storms, the heat, sights, sounds, smells, adjustments to circadian rhythms, etc. Dubai is a great city, but the trip is hard. Wish AK and Little Mike were staying as well. · 127 days ago ·

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footlick · AoR- should have been I sometimes still comment there. Just every one in awhile. · 127 days ago ·

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dani.pugh · I think Point of Entry will show us this year he is one of the best American Turf routers in our country's history. Do I think he could ship and do well internationally? Yes. He handles any track firm to heavy, and now apparently any distance. There are not many horses who can boast grade ones at 9f and 12f. However, he is not going overseas, so we won't know. The only time we may find out is if some of the top Euro's should ship here. Not saying they have too, but they did send some of their best last year in Cityscape, Excelebration, St. Nicholas Abby, Shareta. They could come over again, giving POE a chance to prove himself again. Has accomplished what Frankel has? No, however, this is not a horse that has accomplished nothing. Remember he has won four of his last five grade ones, and the one lost, was a near miss after a horible trip. Has he done what Frankel has? No. But don't diminish what he has done. He is a different horse that excels at a different distance. · 127 days ago ·

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travel_vic · QUOTE: I think Point of Entry will show us this year he is one of the best American Turf routers in our country's history COME ON!! Round Table, Fort Marcy, Cougar II, John Henry, Dahlia, Manila, Theatrical, Steinlen, Sky Classic NO historical perspective · 126 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · quote "I think". I never said he will. He has the potential to be and is already one of the most dominant in the country. He has the potential. That is what "I think" means. · 126 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · THINK: Have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something: "she thought that nothing would be the same again". · 126 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Personally I think POE staying here has a great deal to do with Frank Stronach buying 100% of his breeding rights and 50% of his racing rights so I think he has had a good deal of influence here. The Phipps have raced horses in Dubai before so I think they would have sent him if it was their decision alone. Personally I am glad he is here. I would like to see him in the Million and other races before retirement. The Arc may be a possibility. After all Buckpasser was scheduled to go there. · 126 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · I have no problem with this. He will most likely run the same campaign as last year , but maybe squeeze in the Milliion at Arlington. · 126 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · Orfevre in the Sheema Classic?...nope. But Gentildonna is and that Filly is not getting beat by anyone :) · 126 days ago ·

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kyle.stasierowski · If Point of Entry did go to Dubai, my personal opinion is that could possibly his last race of 2013 simply because of the fact that with the travel and everything it knocks a horse out usually for the rest of the year. So if he stays here in states and goes to the Arlington Million he might then be able to go to the Breeders' Cup in November. · 126 days ago ·

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kyle.stasierowski · If Point of Entry did go to Dubai, my personal opinion is that could possibly his last race of 2013 simply because of the fact that with the travel and everything it knocks a horse out usually for the rest of the year. So if he stays here in the states and goes to the Arlington Million he might then be able to go to the Breeders' Cup in November. · 126 days ago ·

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kay.robinett · I have mixed emotions on this as well. I feel that Point of Entry would NOT embarrass himself in even the biggest turf races overseas. Note that I am not saying he would win all or even some of them. I am just saying he would hold his own in them. That said, I am glad we will get to see him run here in the US simply because I think he's a very good horse and it will be a joy to watch him this season. As for individual horses (such as Zenyatta or Frankel) shipping or not shipping - I believe that there is a lot that goes on in the background that we fans are simply not privy to. Some horses ship better than others. As fans we will rarely know which ones - or which ones have some minor medical issues, or the like which might prevent them from being shipped. Heck, for all we know there might even be owners or trainers with medical problems which prevent lots of travel, or even (gasp) fears of flying in the human connections. I will not condemn connections for making travel or non-travel plans because I do not know what is going on in the background with the horse or human connections that impact the decision making. · 126 days ago ·

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forego139 · What mixed emotions, the Mighty Frankle never traveled out of his comfort zone and has been declared the Worlds Best, but why is it in America we don't respect our gifted ones unless they travel overseas to run in race's such as the Arc and so forth, where as in other countries they idolize there gifted runners and tout them not put them down for one reason or another. Point Of Entry won 4 G1 last year and that here in the states is still not enough to garner respect by the so called American Racing Fans, instead we find ways to put them down for doing enough. But the real question is what is enough to statisfy Americans so as not to be so negative year after year about our American talent such as Point Of Entry. Makes one wonder doesn't it Hmmmm......... · 125 days ago ·

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ILuvTurfRacing · Certainly you can understand Shug McGaughey aiming Point of Entry for the Arlington Million and ultimately another crack at the BC Turf. But the Million is mid to late August and the BC Turf early November. So you're talking about skipping the Dubai World Cup and/or Sheema Classic in late March because it may interfere with targets in mid-August and early November? That's exactly why American horses aren't winning the Dubai World Cup, Sheema Classic, or Duty Free these days. The connections of the best possible horses that we could send never do so. There's not a doubt in my mind that Wise Dan would be a major player in the Dubai World Cup and would likely run rough shod over a Dubai Duty Free field if they chose to go that route. The same for Point of Entry. I have no doubt he'd be a major player in the Dubai World Cup or the Sheema Classic. No disrespect intended to Royal Delta when I said we don't send the best possible horses. But historically, American horses who run exclusively on conventional dirt just haven't fared that well on Meydan's tapeta surface. I actually wonder if Animal Kingdom might not also be better suited for the Dubai Duty Free on turf at 9f instead of the Dubai World Cup on tapeta at 10f? · 125 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · On The Gallop/ northport/ I understand the full picture better than you may think. America is a nation where dirt racing is the main focus, the rest of the world uses turf.Natually the better turf horse should appear in the rest of the world. It's really not that hard to grasp. What I was pointing out in my first comment is the double standard in play in saying POE should ship, while when Frankel was criticised for not crossing the English Channel there was an uproar on this site. Another thing I didn't bring up was that Zenyatta another horse who was a notoriously bad shipper was constantly criticized for not traveling. However people didn't make allowance for the fact she shipped 2,000 miles to Kentucky and put on a fantastic performance. What I really would like an answer to, from anyone, is how a horse can be acclaimed the greatest of all time and not run in even one of the greatest races of all time. For European's that would be the Arc. My god, Ribot won it twice, once as a 3yo and then again as a 4yo, was never challenged in any race, and this horse Frankel, who is certainly among the greats but needed the Arc to challenge for the title he was literally given, is placed above him. Not to even mention Time Form's devaluation of prior horses to elevate him, such as Dancing Brave to mention just one, and I'm biased??? · 124 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · Fantastic point icy... · 124 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · Icy- Why did Frankel have to ship to France?. He was running 8f until almost the end of the summer. Frances op 10f race the Prix Ganay is run in the start of the summer. They don't have many GR1 10f races. So he is to skip the Juddmonte for the Prix dollar, and historically the Juddmonte(Aka Benson& Hedges) is a better race over the last 40 years. Just to let you know the Top GR1 middle distance races in europe (classics aside) are the Eclipse Stakes, King george/Queen E II, The Arc, and the Champions stakes. 3-4 are in England. Again why did Frankel have to ship when the Champions stakes is just as important to some as the Arc is. His beating two top shelf 12f horses in the Champions stakes was not enough?. you compare Zenyatta to Frankel as far as shipping...16-17 of her wins came at southern California tracks..vs WHO exactly?. England hosts the Top meets which is why he had no reason to ship. Winning the Arc does not define a horse as the greatest ever( I am certainly not calling Frankel the greatest ever). Plus Time form is not who changed Dancing Braves ratingthe World Thoroughbred Rankings conference that this was done, which I may add was done by representatives from all the Top racing nations so there is no BIAS. Timeform has Dancing Brave 7 pounds behind Frankel, with Seabird, Tudor Minstrel, Mill Reef etc ahead of DB. · 119 days ago ·

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shadowno · London to Paris is about 250 miles or a 40 minute plane ride. Little farther than Aqueduct to Saratoga just to put the shipping distance in perspective, not saying the animal had to or should have shipped.. · 119 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · Frankel was stabled in Newmarket, which is 540 Km(6 hours) from Paris. Aqueduct to saratoga is 300+ KM (3.5-4hrs) all driving figures. · 117 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · They would fly out of Mancehster Airport to Paris which is 1.5 hours. · 117 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · Let's just say that a flight from Kentucky to Manchester is 5 hours, how long is a flight from Kentucky to California?. So for example if Wise Dan, or POE fly from the east to go to The Breeders cup, why not in turn fly east over the pond to run at Ascot outside of london?. To face better competition in your discipline/Division/Distance...etc. Now I don't think a horse needs to ship anywhere if they have top flight racing within in their own country. · 117 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · A good example of a horse that SHOULD ship is Game On Dude out west is beyond sub par for GR1 level. If he goes east and ran in a Whitney, Stephen Foster, or JCGC wouldn't that be a better fit for him, instead of staying in only California and winning Graded stakes vs no one. When better horses fly in they beat him. Ron The greek, Dullahan, Fort Larned etc. · 117 days ago ·

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shadowno · So Newmarket to Paris 335 miles. Not much of a trip if you have a shipper who is not unraveled by travel. Get em up. Put on the wraps. Put in van, short ride to plane. short flight to France. Done before lunch. Happens with some regularity for the more prestigous races no doubt. Louisville to LA 2085 miles. · 117 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Since Game On Dude hasn't been proclaimed, "the best horse of all time," as that honor belongs to another recently retired horse in 2012, has nothing to prove, why shouldn't his connections do the smart thing, which is exactly what their doing, and keep him in California. While it's true he can't compete effectively with the top six horses in N/A as of the end of 2012, being the 7th best horse in N/A isn't a bad thing. In point of fact I believe many people in the business would like to have a horse as good as Game On Dude. As for my opinions on horses and horse racing, just to clear up any misconceptions. In my entire life there hasn't been one horse I've hated, or disliked on a personal level. That long explanation may seem redundant, but this is HRN and if one doesn't cross the Ts and dot the i,s it will be misconstrued or twisted. For instance a response like, "I remember you didn't like so and so in this race, would be typical."(for any person to hate a horse, an animal which as far as I'm concerned only bring joy into ones life, is beyond my comprehension) I don't see how attacking the position given to a horse on a historical basis can be construed as personal, as in "Another attack on Frankel." The Irony is that everyone who attacked my comment says exactly the same thing as I do.That although he's one of the greatest horses ever, he's not the greatest. Why did Frankel have to run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe? because up to that point in time he hadn't gone the classic European distance of 12 furlongs and he only had one race left before he would be retired according to his connections. Beating horses at 10 furlongs, who have won at 12 furlongs, is not the same as Frankel actually winning at 12 furlongs, and you well know it! Who proclaimed Frankel the greatest horse of all time? here's a partial list, his trainer Sir Henry Cecil, the racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdulla, Teddy Grimthorpe. Writing a few days after the race, Marcus Armytage said: "Forget ratings, handicappers’ assessments or any other method by which you measure one racehorse against another, it is unlikely that the world in either this or any previous generation has ever seen a better racehorse than Frankel... What makes him unique is his ability to go a top class sprinter’s pace over distance... he is a lightning strike of genetics which may not be repeated for 100 years.".www.telegraph.co.uk › Sport › Horse Racing. Also Simon Rowlands at Timeform. While Frankel did do everything his trainer asked of him, and enough to be ranked among the greatest horses of all time, he didn't do enough to be accorded the status of "the greatest of all time" and that is exactly my point of contention. If you went to Europe, which I'vedone on many occasions, and mentioned a horse who had proven them self at 10 furlongs, was undefeated to boot, as the greatest of all time you'd be a laughing stock. My personal opinion of Frankel is that he can and should be mentioned with the greatest horses of all time, He just can't be put at the #1 spot because he never ran the 12 furlongs required. Extra distance can't just be assumed and given, it must be done on the track. Frankel is a magnificent horse who IMO had the potential to achieve the status of #1 accorded him, but came up 2 furlongs short. · 117 days ago ·

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shadowno · IHB hit the Game on Dude issue spot on. He is getting a bit long in the tooth and more to the point is a gelding so winning the Whitney or any other eastern race is of little long term signiigance. Much wiser to run a Big Cap, Californian, HGC, Pacific Classic campaign leading into the BCC than amass frequent flyer miles. Add to the fact while obviously a top 10 handicap horse, he is not a "name" that will bring people out to any major track. It is a no-brainer to keep doing exactly what his connections have been doing. · 116 days ago ·

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On The Gallop's · Shadowno- I guess you missed the part where I said 3-4 top races are in england and one in France. The Champions stakes is an Extremely important race and skipping the ARC for the Champions stakes is not a step down quality wise. · 105 days ago ·

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The Optimizer Bunny keeps going and going and going

Yesterday, in the Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap at Fair Grounds, the Optimizer Bunny notched his second stakes win on turf with an emphatic 3 ½ length score over String King. Under his most familiar rider, Jon Court, Optimizer spurted right out to the early lead with a strong first quarter, and then...Read More

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forego139 · Nice write up Zipse. No question he is an Iron horse and he has the right trainer in Lukas to see him through such and aggressive campaign · 142 days ago ·

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kentuckyderbypost · Jon Court and D. Wayne are really clicking right now. Good to see a veteran tag team get down to business · 142 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Brian, as I read this blog "throwback" was the exact word that popped in my head. Lukas, Court, and Optimizer, throwback partners. · 142 days ago ·

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yukichan · He earned a 100 beyer for his win yesterday. He looked really good. I hope he stays sound and healthy... · 142 days ago ·

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AmbitiousD · I hope he can continue to run well in 2013. He looked great yesterday. · 142 days ago ·

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Waya · I think he will be one of the best turf horses in the country this year. · 141 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · This horses is awesome. He's not the best but he's always out there. I will root for him everytime he goes out from now until he retires. · 141 days ago ·

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amino998 · forego>I question the guiding hand on one of the most mismanaged colts of 2012. Waya> out on a weak limb. · 141 days ago ·

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travel_vic · ONE thing I would wager upon: he will be mismanaged.....D Wayne tries to put square pegs in round holes even with grass monsters like Steinlin whom he tried to make a main track horse, regrettably for the owners. · 141 days ago ·

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goblin · He certainly has been mismanaged, but recently seems to be on the right track (literally as well as figuratively). Maybe Lukas is ready to leave this horse on the turf and allow him to begin to thrive where he does best. · 140 days ago ·

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travel_vic · His history would suggest otherwise · 140 days ago ·

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Arlington Park 2013 Stakes Schedule totals $5.5 Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Jan. 29, 2013) – The International Festival of Racing, featuring the 31st running of the Grade I Arlington Million, tops a 2013 schedule that includes 25 stakes races worth $5.5 million during 89 days of racing at Arlington International Racecourse from Friday, May 3 through...Read More

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6/20	2013 Ribblesdale Stakes (G2)
6/20	2013 Ascot Gold Cup (G1)
6/21	2013 Coronation Stakes (G1)
6/21	2013 King Edward VII Stakes (G2)
6/22	2013 Hollywood Oaks (G2)

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2013 Arlington Million (G1)

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