It's very smart to have him there early. Belmont is a very sandy track and some horses have trouble getting used to it. They took Summer Bird there three weeks early when he won and beat Mine That Bird. The trainer said that was one of the things that really helped him
I don't think you can call fractions of 22.1, 45.3, 109.4 and 135.3 in a mile race, a dream trip. Especially after only running 4 times and none as a 2 year old.
Yeah, I'll have him on the bottom of my Triacta, just like Giacomo; he ran 3rd in the Preakness, right? Oh yeah and he ran well in the SA Derby too, did he not. Hell, I don't think he ever won another race. Anyway, horses that have won the derby with such low figures, inevitably go on to mediocre careers. The only hope for IHA is if he is just about to "break out" from mediocrity with a huge performance in the Preakness. It's possible, but not very likely.
Beyer has a solid point when he talks abut IHA's figure only being 101 after an absolute perfect trip, with a perfect setup, on a very fast track. As usual with the derby, the best horse doesn't always win the derby. I'm reminded of when Giacomo won and was clearly not the best horse in the race; Afleet Alex was and proved it in spades in both of the next legs of the crown. He should have been a triple crown winner but was denied by the ride of an inexperienced jock. It's a common tale for one reason or another. Having said that, any horse who wins the derby, regardless of the circumstances, deserves due praise, as it is no small feat. Although I keep remembering the Belmont call of "Afleet Alex just went by Giacomo like he was standing still!!!"
Time for a jockey change. That's two in a row. This horse needs a stronger rider. Maybe Julien just doesn't fit this horse. The jockey is part of the break too you know and what about on the back stretch? How could he not see Daddy Long Legs stopping form so far in front of him? He looked surprised when he had to take him up. Anyone could see that horse stoping from way far ahead. Time for a change.
Is he going to have enough time to get his back shock therapy? If not, is he going to be really stiff coming out of this race?
The Big Brown Belmont is still to fresh in my mind. When something like that happens with a guy like this involved, you have to think something was going on. This guy is bad for racing; he's a liar and a crook. If you were caught doing 60 things wrong where you work, do you think that you would get fired? Of course you would, so why would we think he should continue to train horses? Kick him out for a start and then go after the rest.
I think a few have figured out that they better try to make the lead or very close to it. Given that you have the pace setter from the Ark Derby, Shackleford and Flashpoint, the pace should be hotter than the Derby. Baffert has also said that they've figured out Midnight Interlude wants to be right there. I don't think anyone walks around there at 48 by themselves this time. Even if they go fast, why would anyone think that Dialed In can beat Animal Kingdom? He can do it either way and so can MMM. Should be an interesting finish.
Everyone wants The Factor to do well cause everyone is desperate for another great horse to emerge. The problem is that this group looks pretty darn lackluster. Speed figures don't lie. The rest of these horses just aren't running that fast. Watch out for Sway Away; he's a horse that has natural speed and the breeding to take all the way. How bad would you want to run if you had you tooth snapped off?
He needs to run a 100 speed figure is what he needs. Heck, even a 90"s figure makes you think twice. I'm giving him one more chance with the blinkers on. He really needs to move forward.