The Giant's Fall

re: The Giant's Fall

kk — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:37:37 GMT

WIN WILLY can upset the derby for sure he has pedigree which nobody had monarchos and marias mon believe me if he is in the gate he win the derby chance for the life time

re: The Giant's Fall

aspradling — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:27:34 GMT

Thanks Wanda, I will be posting a blog today with my new line up that I will most likely be sticking with through the derby.

Giant Oak was ify, but I really did like Beethoven...wanting him to make enough to get in, but that dosn't seem to be the case now.

I still have a lot of hope in Chocolate Candy, Imperial Council and believe it or not Terrain.

re: The Giant's Fall

Wanda — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:59:42 GMT

Sorry to hear about Beethoven Adam. Who are you going with now?

re: The Giant's Fall

NOLA — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:08:37 GMT

I was able to see FF all three runs at the FG. The minute he comes out of the stall you can tell he's got it. Giant Oak was never a threat. The first time I saw him I was dissapointed and knew he wouldn't do anything. FF went from a goofy unfocused, but fast, little boy to a serious colt who needs little guidence and urging. The first time I saw them side by side I knew FF was going to dominate. He's an impressive bugger. Giant Oak has made me a ton of money, I can pick from the field for place and show and not worry about him being in it.

Cindy and Larry deserve FF.

Rachel? She's spooky. That goofy face is misleading. She is imposing and confident and regal. I felt sorry for the other girls. Rachel never even kicked in a gear and her jockey pulled her up long before the race was over (whole other story). I'm almost afraid to see her go wide open. Nothing seems to phase her. Creepy.

re: The Giant's Fall

2 time valley player of the year — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:35:26 GMT

ESPN, is run by a bunch of stiffs, take HRTV anyday with Jeff and Laf.

re: The Giant's Fall

wowhorse — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:34:29 GMT

I never had Friesan Fire in my barn, either, Adam, but he's done nothing wrong in his past few races, and only persuaded me of his deserving of being there now. As for Old Fashioned, he's only lost one race in his career, and it was a second-place finish to a longshot. This sort of thing happens to great horses all the time. (I'm also convinced there were a couple factors that led to this loss, it wasn't strictly OF's fault. Notice the jockey change...) And frankly, I'd rather him lose the Rebel than the Kentucky Derby. My biggest concern with OF is being able to relax in the first half of the race. But Larry will get him ready come the First Saturday in May, and I will be there at the Arkansas Derby when he gets his revenge on Win Willy. Besides these two, I Want Revenge and The Pamplemousse are looking spectacular. I am looking forward to the Florida Derby so people will shut up about Dunkirk. His last race was fantastic, but that doesn't mean he's a freak like Big Brown. I wish people would quit trying to make it out like he's the second coming. Brownie had weak competition and if he would've been 3 this year, would have had a much harder time winning.

As far as the ESPN/televising issue goes, it seems we are in need of an organized group of people who can speak for the whole and can promote our sport to the best advantage. I hate to say it, but I don't think the state of the game will change even if we do have a superhorse come along. Think about it. If we DID have a Triple Crown winner, would networks suddenly try to latch on to airing the summer Derbies to grab viewers? They probably have contracts that can't be changed in spur of the moment situations. So, even if a hypothetical Triple Crown winner was in the Travers, say, ESPN would still have the rights to broadcast the race. And we would also have to have luck on our side that whoever owned the horse wouldn't retire it immediately if it did win the Triple Crown. It's a team effort, and we're going to have to work on all fronts to make this sport progressive--fans, owners, breeders, tracks, TV networks, and the rest of the media.

re: The Giant's Fall

mr.ruffian — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:55:43 GMT

Lets see, first they get rid of the horse racing show " Wire to Wire" a few years back and now this?? Way to go ESPN!! Makes my life even easier, I won't have to keep your cable number memorized in my head any more since I'll never have a reason to go there any more!! THANKS!

re: The Giant's Fall

Mike Relva — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:44:24 GMT

TO: ADAM

Thanks!

re: The Giant's Fall

Driftin Sage — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:01:20 GMT

The reason horse racing isn't watched much on tv is...it is rarely shown on tv. Yes, we must write the networks and bombard them with our views...then hopefully we CAN view the races. I also like to read, see, and hear the stories about the horses and their connections. Knowing all the nitty-gritty stuff...the histories of the animals and connections is oh so interesting and encourages you to WANT to actually see them...like movie stars, singers, sports players,etc. And our horses ARE stars..athletic and beautiful.

re: The Giant's Fall

needler in Virginia — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:28:33 GMT

Ranagulzion...you got me there, my friend! You are SO right; but I WOULD give 'em the finger for him 'cause I'm not so classy. The things that were said and written about Mr Jones, his barn and his methods were venomous, and I'm just nasty enough to want to take a little revenge for him because I know he never will. I will miss his hat at morning works......... and hope that he might return some day.

re: The Giant's Fall

Mike Relva — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:49:49 GMT

TO: DRAYNAY

Please disregard the first blog that someone had the nerve to sign my name to it!

re: The Giant's Fall

Ranagulzion — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:17:52 GMT

Needler in Virginia: Without belaboring the point, I think that you'll agree with me that it would be a winning gesture for Larry Jones to offer "Old Fashioned" courtesy rather than take the "I Want Revenge" approach over his Eight Belles accusers. Unless you believe that there is much to be gained from pushing the "Fire" (you know what I mean?).

re: The Giant's Fall

Kelly E. — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:23:05 GMT

The "Derby Gods" have already decided on the winner of this year's Derby...Larry Jones. You can bet on it ;)

re: The Giant's Fall

Ranagulzion — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:22:50 GMT

needler in Virginia: Giving the finger to his detractors would be out of character for one renowned to possess class and style. Therefore the suggestion to Larry Jones amounts to bad advice. I do share your sentiments though about his value to the sport. He's a good man and will do what's best for his family and his career. I too wish him all the best in the Derby even though at this point it looks like Quality Road, Win Willy and I Want Revenge are going to be very tough nuts to crack, not to mention Rachel Alexandra if her connections succomb to the Derby fever epidemic. Friesan Fire will be his best shot.

re: The Giant's Fall

needler in Virginia — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:14:31 GMT

Adam, Larry Jones' leaving would be a tragedy (in the TRUE sense of that word) for horse racing. When we seem to be in this swamp of problems, Mr Jones rises above his detractors and the stinkers and keeps on being classy! I've NO idea how he manages that, as I would be seeking some pretty serious revenge; obviously Jones is far more elegant than I. Possibly we could construct a plot to keep him training forever?? I'm thinking kidnapping and leaving him locked in his office or better yet, attaching velcro to his saddle and just sticking him there until he comes around?? What a loss it would be if he never trained another horse............

re: The Giant's Fall

aspradling — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:35:59 GMT

needler: it's true, I love Larry Jones and he is one of the best in the industry.

donna: yeah, he was still gaining at the end of his run, I just think he had a bad trip or a bad ride, not sure which...

re: The Giant's Fall

black mamba — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:41:07 GMT

hey draynay! I was wondering. When was the last time a horse came from dubai and won the derby? None! I'm not convinced especially if the connections rate him as a sprinter.

re: The Giant's Fall

needler in Virginia — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:20:08 GMT

I REALLY, REALLY want Larry Jones to give the finger to everyone who made those foul accusations about Eight Belles. I hope he wins the Derby this year period..... and either of his horses will do; if, God forbid, he really does retire, he can do so in style..... as if he had ever done anything without style and class. All that said, no one should underestimate John Ward and Beethoven. If anyone can train up a Derby winner, it's Mr Ward, so don't count him out, folks. Remember, Beethoven's 5th begins with that famous "dot-dot-dot-dash" for a reason!! Anyone know what that means????

As to ESPN and the rest of the BS laughingly called "sports" today, I'll stick to TVG and suffer Matt What's-His-Face on .58 Flat. To hell with what the networks think....who needs poker and billiards?? I'd rather watch paint dry..........

re: The Giant's Fall

Racingfan — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:23:06 GMT

LONG TIME RACING FAN: You are right on target! Whining on here wont help but some action will! I started writing to ESPN and my local providers last year about the lack of coverage. Unfortunately they didn't bother to respond but I wont give up. How bout it everyone? As for my picks - still Old Fashioned although a bit disappointed. Real unhappy about Hello Broadway - hope he gets another chance! Friesan Fire was awesome though!

re: The Giant's Fall

Julie L. — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:35:02 GMT

My two choices, the California based horses, Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge are still looking very good. I am also watching Take The Points, his second to The Pamplemousse in the Sham makes me believe that with a little time this horse could get real good.

re: The Giant's Fall

Alan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:39:22 GMT

Not to beat a dead horse, but what is going on with Mr. Fantasy?

re: The Giant's Fall

DONNA — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:20:28 GMT

Perhaps Giant Oak might be better suited for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont. Seems it takes him a long time to get up to full cruising speed with that amount of ground he might be able to catch and beat the front runners. Seems to be a nice horse just needs luck and time.

re: The Giant's Fall

BlueHen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:07:32 GMT

I like Beethoven because he's got a great name and Affirmed lurks in his pedigree :) -- hope he'll keep coming along well.

TV broadcasters took the Travers off the networks and put it on ESPN, even here, where it's run up the Northway a few miles. I.e., it's a big local event, but they don't run it on the local networks.

There must be a perceived lack of interest in equestrian sports on the part of TV execs. Did anyone see ANY equestrian Olympic events last summer on the regular networks? I had to watch them on my computer.

re: The Giant's Fall

DONNA — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:01:19 GMT

Draynay, is that a promise or a threat about not handicaping another race if your afore mentioned win? LOL. You are quite a character.

re: The Giant's Fall

Wanda — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:23:38 GMT

Yo Slew you pegged it!

Adam: No man YOU crack me up way more!