icyhotboo

.Rajiv Maragh is the most reckless rider to ever ride the race tracks. How did he get his license back. He KO'd a possible TC winner in CE. Not to even mention his rookie style of riding which never improved over time. I never thought julien leparoux would get the ride after the Arkansas Derby which rivaled that of Eric Guerin on Native Dancer in the 1953 KD. Still I bet Classic Empire... What a magnifinent horse. Always Dreaming is a very good one too. Had a hunch on him the day of the KD when I spilled my cereal that morning while thinking of other things to come that day. The thought came in before the bowl hit the floor, got to stop dreaming, which as you can see can be interpreted in two ways. So I took the other way and went with Classic Empire.

CC's energy expenditure from the gate was tremendous, it's not much different than sending a rabbit to burn out Dr. Fager for Damascus. Everything consumes and burns energy, when you know the amount you can figure the rest. With CC's PP so far out this was literally a walkover that needed the horse (Arrogate) to fall down to lose. The track conformation isn't suited to a race at 8.5f or more in a field of 8 much less 12 horses. He had to go, no choice, because laying of the pace at that track for 2 turns is an impossible situation. CC won $14 million dollars during a stellar career. As a 3yo he ran the Belmont Stakes with half his foot torn off then as a 4yo had to withstand the idiocracy of the owners. Cut him some slack.

It's not really political. Just trying to determine if the #3 and #4 are going to take that free step, to the left, to the left, to the left.

If California Chrome loses, especially out of the #12PP, is that the end of the PWC? I'm asking because IMO GP's track conformation is totally unfit to host this type race at 9F or farther. PLUS all the non-excuses, excuses, swirling about Arrogate. Almost seems like the public is being desensitised for a loss. The PWC is a big venture that could flop right out of the gate due to all these things coming together. I mean look Shared Belief was crunched in 2014 just to save a race because he had 4 lengths over the field just like Arrogate has here. In comparison this is a biggy. I wasn't always paranoid, but after the election where the loser won and watching the "Presidential Tweety fights" this morning I'm a little twutchy.

You're correct about the money. Was also doing the o/u quarters of the games. I don't really enjoy FB and got bored so I wrote that piece in the interludes. Program I wrote in the late 1980s on a floppy is still accurate today in the play offs, but needs watching. Still have to wait for each quarter for accuracy. Thanks for letting me know I was so wrong. My goodness, I might have actually gone to bed happy/happier if you hadn't noticed that. Goodnight

"The owners will share equally in the net income from betting, media rights and sponsorships." When they bought a share, provided this race is promoted correctly, each share is now worth $2.5 million no matter the finish just due to the betting share. Not to mention, plus media and sponsorships. Even if scratched as long as the slot is retained. His workout schedule up to the BCC was every 6 days, 7 once, then raced 4 days after the last work for a total of 5 works prior to the BCC. Arrogate last worked Dec. 27, if he works this Sunday Jan 8, 2017 it will be a full 12 days. Most very good horses have to run on schedule or its no different than an athelete such as a boxer missing a nights sleep the week of a big fight. Secretariat, Affirmed, etc Belmont Stakes work schedule was to run often and hard. It would seem this horse needs no less. It'll take something freaky to beat this guy and this could be it. In that case I would imagine him scratched. BTW: Victor Espinoza ran American Pharoah (2015) in almost the same splits as he did Chrome (2016), different tracks yes, but both tracks that carry speed about the same and loose on the lead in both. One win one second and no complaints in 2015 (brilliant ride). In 2014 he gave Chrome an almost identical ride with at SA in the BCC using position to gauge splits. Chrome just got beat. It happens. It's all right to love particular horses, but betting with your heart is best done when one wants a souvenier ticket, win or lose. I have nothing against CC or any other horse. Owners, trainers, jockeys yes, but I love all the horses.

V.E. rode great. He got his horse loose on the lead. M. Smith on the other hand seemed to do everything possible to lose. Watching the fractions as the race unfolded I didn't think CC could be caught as M.S was 4/5 of a second off the pace at the second call. Running down a horse the caliber of CC who was loose on the lead is totally amazing. Watching the muscle movement of Arrogate while he accelerated was chilling.

Frosted, IMO is every bit as good as Quality Road and they kept him running. There's a lot more races under 10f than at that distance. He just got through running three excellent races coming into the BCC. Good day to you Buckpasser.

It didn't hurt him anymore than it hurt Quality Road who the last time I looked gets 30k the same as Blame. It might have changed, but the desire for a great miler hasn't and Frosted is certainly that.

No, I wasn't guessing. I just made it up on the spur of the moment like most everyone else does when they don't know. I've seen worse:)