Now that would be a sporting decision if Mosses/Shirreffs decide to go in the Classic. If these connections do decide on Classic, I wonder how much influence Rachel Alexandra's campaign, including important wins against males, will have had on that decision. Then again, who cares about the motives! It'll be great for U.S. thoroughbred racing and an exciting Classic!
May be reading a bit too much between the lines, but I wasn't surprised Baffert decided to pass with Indian Blessing. More than the surface, I think it's the fact that Ventura is once again sitting on a huge race over the Pro Ride for Bobby Frankel. I like Informed Decision, also, but believe she'll be no match for Ventura in this race. Was hoping for some kind of value w/Ventura if Informed Decision, Indian Blessing and Sara Louise all ran. But, I've learned never to count on Baffert to be sporting, which would have been the case if he'd entered Indian Blessing. Believe they're all running for second behind Ventura. Still a good race but would have been better w/Baffert's filly. Thanks for nothing, Bob.
Sean,Just finished Saratoga Days before the meet began. It really picked up once you quit the morning job. Enjoyed reading about Saratoga from perspective of a true insider. I can only imagine how good that win on Hokan felt.Sorry to hear Neil Howard didn't come for the meet. Delaware Park - disappointing yr. for Howard.Look forward to reading your Spa blog via HRN.
In case you haven't seen these, NYRA has posted great video interviews of some of NY's top trainers. More tracks should do this! Here's link to Shug's video - http://www.nyra.com/ontherecord/mcgaughey.html
Nice post! The Due Process Stable horses trained by Reynaldo Nobles were fun to follow. Well-bred, lightly raced and live at Saratoga and other big tracks @ decent prices. Last one I caught was Wild Deputy @ MTH in a MSW. He came into MTH paddock with padding on all 4 legs and two handlers trying to keep him on the ground. My friend and I cashed in and celebrated the win on the Jersey Shore. These types of small, elite stables made for competitive racing. Too bad Bob Brennan, the owner, was such a crook. He's up there w/the Bernie Madoff's of the financial world. Ah, good racing memories!
#8 Dancing Forever (9-2) should get needed firm turf in the GI Man o’War at Belmont on Saturday. According to trainer Shug McGaughey that makes him “tough.” Also, he gets three lbs. from top choices #7 Midships (3-1) and #9 Gio Ponti (5-2), is proven at the distance, likes Belmont Park and has the class to win a GI race (see last year’s Manhattan). If the price is fair (I’ll say 4-1 or higher) off his 3rd in slow-paced prep, I like him in a competitive Man o’War. This has the potential for stirring stretch battle. Enjoy!
Good to know. From the replays, the other local Well Monied who has two very good wins at 1 1/8, looks like she has more to give and will appreciate the added distance. Gozzip Girl comes out of the Sands Point, which IMO was weak on competition for a G2. Warm Shower (2nd) was coming off a MSW win on the poly at KEE and Bluegrass Princess (3rd) ran 6th in the G3 Boiling Springs at MTH. I pay attentioni to trainer quotes and Zucker, trainer of Well Monied, called Euro Apple Charlotte "scary."
Thanks, Arazi! Was able to pull the trigger for real this time. Didn't think she had a chance when unable to get through on the rail. Life is good!
Dame Ellen made the headlines in the DRF. Won't help the price any but here are trainer quotes from Chad Brown and David Donk (#6 Strike the Bell):#2 Dame Ellen - "She seems to be getting a little better every time we run her, and after every race she seems to be getting a little stronger," Brown said Wednesday from Saratoga. "She's got a great pedigree too; lot of potential. She seems to do what she has to do to win. We're hopeful that she's a stakes-caliber horse."#6 Strike the Bell "I thinks she's okay, we'll certainly find out something a little bit more," Donk said. "I don't think [distance] is an issue. There's a little bit of pace in the race, so it should make it easier for Cornelio [Velasquez] to be a bit patient."
Unlike Jackson, Shug likes the plastic. Shug's recent weekend trip to Arlington was very successful. Love the quote - “Getting back on the synthetic is the big thing, and running in a big race like the Hollywood Gold Cup will be fun.” It sure is nice to see a top trainer looking for some fun rather than the money!