Last year's Triple Crown winner, Caracortado, will be the one to beat at Breeders' Cup.  Ted from LA says welcome back Jason.  You take longer vacations than Paris Hilton.

Jason,

Please correct me if I am wrong but prior to Teak's North didn't GET STORMY win two Grade I's on the grass?? I could be mixed up abotu this but I swear he did. Looking forward to your input.

You are correct Afleet Treat. Get Stormy did win two grade I races including the Turf Classic at nine furlongs. I just happen to think he is better at a mile or 1 1/16 miles given his front running style. As you recall, he was in the BC Bile last year. He's a very nice horse though.

In spite of his name, Acclamation seems to be flying under the radar of most of us. Sometimes, these unheralded horses jump up and surprise all of us. Even if he wins the Eddied Read, I doubt he will be considered a strong contender for the BC Turf. (Although he's by Unusual Heat and that in itself should make us take notice.) I hope I remember this in November...

Jason, welcome back. I played nice until Draynay said "he was all over Gayego." Told him he probably changed some minds with his words.

Heck change some minds for sure,they scratched him clean out of The James Marvin! I didn't know Draynay had that much clout to scare a horse out of running! Now i am impressed. Do i need to apologize for being not nice?

Acclamation is best at 10-12 furlongs.  His strength is his ability to clip off 49 second halves over a long distance.  At shorter distances, when he has to deal with a half of 46 or 47, he falters in the stretch.  Also, while he has run ok at Del Mar, he's simply at another level on the Hollywood green.  A win in the Read by Acclamation would put him squarely in the Eclipse picture because it would prove that he's taken that next step and can win outside his comfort zone.  I don't think he's there.

I think Caracortado is finally going to get his gr.1.  He's been knocking on the door, and he meets a field without a standout middle distance turf horse.  Smart Bid is a quality shipper, but he's not Courageous Cat, and Caracortado ran that horse to a neck decision a few weeks back.  The way I see it, the table is all set for Caracortado.  All Talamo needs to do is ride him so that he doesn't drop too far back.

Jeranimo and Smart Bid have also come close to getting a gr.1 and would be deserving 1st timers.  I've always liked Jeranimo and have chased him this year, so I wouldn't be surprised if he were to win.  Smart Bid, as I wrote above, is a quality horse, but he's not nearly as formidbale a shipper as Courageous Cat.  When Smart Bid was out here in the winter of 09-10', he was a gr.2 level animal, and while he's better now, he hasn't exactly been stirring the imagination back East.

Welcome back Jason. You were missed. You always get us thinking. I have liked Acclamation for a while. ITA with you. I want to throw this out there: if Goldikova wins again at the Breeders Cup, she deserves HOTY. I know she races in England, but another win should trump everything. Just my opinion. Bob from Boston, Paris Hilton's whole life is a vacation. One last note, Uncle Mo seems to have bounced back :).

I think your assessment is pretty much spot on Jason. Acclamation to me is a horse that will always go out their and give you a honest effort. He isn't one of those superstar horses that can overcome adversity but with a clean trip and agreeable pace he is always dangerous.

Paula,

As much as it would be incredible for Goldlikova to win AGAIN, I would be upset of she took HOTY on ONE race in the US.  If there was a deserving American horse that has raced mostly in this country in whichever category, then I think that horse would deserve it.  I think winning any Breeder's Cup race four times is honor and record enough.  Now if she raced a few more times here and was successful then by all means.

However it is a long way to Eclipse Awards and we haven't seen the last of some great older mares, sprinters, and who knows a three year old male may just pull it together by winning a couple of major summer stakes and the Classic. And we have hardly seen the juveniles yet.  

Don't get me wrong, I love that tough little bay mare, she reminds me of a mare I used to show as a hunter many,many years ago. (She left the racetrack because she bled, was a very successful junior and am-owner horse later, before Lasix was legal).  I'd love to see her win (isn't she the epitome of a thoroughbred mare!just a little witchy!) but if CC and Frankel come over she will really have her work cut out for her.

I guess I'm still hoping we see an American horse become a superstar in the second half of the season.

Firethorn, I understand your point. I get it. I also know my opinion is a minority opinion.  But if she wins, she is one phenomenal horse. Let's see what happens. I don't think you need to worry about them giving it to her simply for the reason you stated, but I would be pretty happy if they did. If she comes here 3 years in a row and that counts for something. Jason, we got it right about Acclamation. He blew them away. Now he is an interesting horse!

Acclamation is interesting, so much for being best at 10-12, looked awfully good shortening up!  

Well Jason, Acclamation did it and looked really good doing it. It will be interesting to see who shows up for the Del Mar Handicap.

We were treated to another exciting stretch run in the CCA Oaks. Great race! Again, two fillies, battling to the wire, leaving the rest of the field behind. It's Tricky won but you have to admire the grit both of them displayed. And in this heat! How do they do it?

I was so wrong about Acclamation.  The scratch of Celtic Princess certainly helped his cause, but he really is a different horse than he was last year.  He ran outside his comofrt zone and won in a laugher.  That's 3 straight graded wins for Acclamation, from 9-12 furlongs, with the last two wins being in grade 1s.  And for his career, Acclamation is now a 3-time gr.1 winner.

One can argue that Jeranimo, Caracortado, and Smart Bid were compromised with the scratch of Celtic Princess, and they probably were.  However, they all have decent tactical speed, and were simply never a threat to Acclamation at any moment in the stretch.  He blew their doors off like a horse running at a completely different level.  

Caracortado and Jeranimo are nice Cali horses and Smart Bid is a nice Eastern horse, but Acclamation is an elite horse now.

I'm sorry but I have to agree with Firethorn.   Yes,  Goldi is like the little train that could and she did.

If she ran at least two or three races in the US a year then I could see giving her our highest honor, but she doesn't and I think that honor goes to one of our own horses that has had to work it's butt off to please us and give us thrills this year.  Our(NA) trainers and owners need to have that award for what they have accomplished for their work they have done,  it wouldn't be fair to give it to a trainer who only runs his horse in one race over here every year,  Yes,  I do think we need to give Goldi a special award if she wins it 4 years straight but not HOTY not on one race in the US.  

Nice race by Acclamation but when you allow a horse of his quality to get away with 48/1:12 splits, and he has the ability to kick home in 34 and change, you will lose everytime.  But that is horse racing.  Rewilding's tragic breakdown marred Nathaniel's coming out party.  A tragic loss of a talented animal.  I thought Nathaniel was the horse to play, and he proved me right.  Europe is loaded with talented horses this year.  It's Tricky and Plum Pretty put on a great show.  Nice race by both and it is nice to see It's Tricky coming into her own.

If any of our horses go to Europe and win one major race they would not win the Cartier.  Neither should a European win the HOY for one race here.  Give Goldikova a special achievement Eclipse, give her top filly/mare turf etc, but not HOY.  All Along won three races here I think, the Rothmans International in Canada, the Turf Classic and the Washington DC International.  She started this string with a win in the Arc and all for races were run in a span of 41 days, I believe.  This was why she won HOY, and also because there might not have been a dirt standout that year.  But my point is that she ran in three NA races.  One race, no matter how many times a horse wins it, doesn't qualify in my book.

Welcome back, Jason! I hope you had a good vacation.

I guess you could say that Acclamation is the division leader now. When he gets a lonely lead, he's all but unbeatable.

Still, I think that Gio Ponti has something left inside of him that will enable him to claim the championship for the third straight year. . . maybe he's not quite the horse that he was in 2009, but perhaps he will sweep the Arlington Million and Shadwell Mile later this year. If so, he would enter the Breeders' Cup Mile off of two grade I victories. And then, if he were to upset Goldikova -- which would admittedly take an incredible performance -- he could end up turf champion yet again. I'm so fond of that horse.

-Keelerman

Nice call Zoo, Acclimation has carved out his spot in the division alright.

I see RFO worked today hows our boy??

Even though I missed my chance to say it earlier - BLIND LUCK is my hero.  

OK back to hauling Hay ....

I can see I opened up a can of womrs LOL. O.k. give Goldi a special award, whatever, but give her something. She DID cross the oceans guys, something our horses aren't doing too much of lately.

Goldikova is the best Mare I have ever seen and I can't wait until November to see her go for 4 in a row.  That alone is worth HOY.  Winter Memories gets a chance Wed. to prove she is the better filly.  More than Ready got the jump on her last time and checking into stretch really hurt WM.   It won't happen again.  Winter Memories is a very special horse.  Break open the bank and bet it all she is your winner.

i have to agree with Footlick.

No, if an American horse won 1 race in Europe once a year, he/she would never be awarded anything.

Goldikova needs to be recognized as one super running machine no doubt.

Surely a special award could be presented to her. Me, i will never ever forget her handler running after and behind her along the rail as she won the race last year. It is forever imprinted on my brain. I can see it when i think of special things these greats do. No movie director needed. That was special and unrehearsed.

Acclamation, Jason good call and timing on your article. When Paddy had to be retired, the gates opened for new stars. I am still upset but Prairie Meadows soon will be honoring 'one of their own.'

And i agree with Keelerman, still have good thoughts about Gio Ponti.

Just admire him, also. And Overdriven, is he ever a good looking colt, no doubt about it.  He is built like a Mack Truck. Good for The Repole Barn. Enthusiasm is a wonderful thing, and when you see Mike in the winner's circle one cannot help but smile for him and be happy for his family because when Mikey is happy, everyone is happy!

Welcome back Jason.  I've been away awhile also, finally getting my Kentucky Derby fever under control. Acclimation looked super.  Keeping an eye on Frankel and Canford Cliffs on Wednesday.  If Courageous Cat can stay healthy, could we see maybe some or all of these against Goldikova in the BC Mile?  If she could defeat this group she deserves HOY.

With Del Mar and Saratoga opening, we've seen some great racing.  How about Baffert's firster Secret Circle demolishing a good field on Saturday in the 3rd at Del Mar.  By Eddington out of a Dixieland Band mare, this colt is very precociuos and bred for much longer.  I got a tinge of Derby fever watching this guy romp.

Repole and Pletcher's Overdriven dominated as expected in the Sanford.  He's a spittin' image of his sire Tale Of The Cat; stocky and well muscled with a sprinter/miler pedigree.  The inevitable comparisons will be coming between Uncle Mo and Overdriven, but comparing these two is like comparing Ted from LA to Bob from Boston.  Yes, there are some similarities but in the end, each one is a different animal.  

I will make one prediction:  Overdriven will NOT be on the Triple Crown trail.  Secret Circle, if he stays healthy, will be.  I just hope they all stay healthy and are not pushed too hard as 2yo's.

Darn, I have a hard time shaking this Derby fever.

Flat Out will rise towards the top of the older division with a win in the Whitney.  His last race was the best I have seen all year.

If a poly horse can be awarded the HOY for 19 consecutive wins why can't Goldikova win for 4 straight wins at the Breeders Cup ?

"The inevitable comparisons will be coming between Uncle Mo and Overdriven, but comparing these two is like comparing Ted from LA to Bob from Boston.  Yes, there are some similarities but in the end, each one is a different animal."

Trackjack, that is a beautiful piece of writing right there.  I'm going to nominate it for a Pulitzer.  Ted from LA is going to do the same.

too bad about First Dude! Another horse lost to injury.

Best horse name in a while, Repole named his horse Overrated Toad, after the highly overrated Todd Pletcher!

Well, another one bites the dust.  First Dude is retired.  Gotta do something about the soundness of the American Thoroughbred.

I was impressed by BBaffert's 3yo colt Saddleranch who set solid splits and pulled away while wrapped-up for his maiden win @ 6 1/2f in a fast time.. There's a reason he shipped the horse w/Plum Pretty to Saratoga and I think we'll see him run in a Stakes race there for his next outing, maybe the King's Bishop vs. Uncle Mo?...

One to watch!

It's Tricky & Plum Pretty were the obvious class of the field and it showed.But,where was Zazu?... anybody know?..

First Dude retired?.. when will it end! Just when he finally figured it out,too bad.

Dreaming Draynay,  don't bank on it.

Prime Cut meets a bunch of rookies.  Should win for fun on Friday.

Ah! I finally get to speak my peace! I'm tired of these horses getting easy leads. If Acclimation had experienced any pace pressure he would have wilted like a dry leaf. Problem is that the best horse in the Eddie Read was ridden by a a horrible rider (Talamo). I hope that M. Machowsky finally makes a much needed rider change. Caracortado has been ridden terribly in his last few starts. Joe Talamo rides every horse the same way - coming from behind. It's all he knows and he's a terrible judge of the pace. I could not bet Talamo with counterfiet money. Once Machowsky makes a rider change the truth will surface....Hey! How about Pat V?????

Bummed about First Dude.  I was on track when he won that allowance at Santa Anita to get things turned around, and was also on track for his win in the Hollywood Gold Cup.  He was a monster of a horse physically, and his mind was finally on the same page with his body.  At least he did get that gr.1.

Hi Secretoo, I will limit my disagreement with your comment to just asking you to review the chart of the Charles Whittingham Memorial 7/11/11.  Note the winner, jockey, and NOT come-from-behind style. I follow Acclamation and CA racing just a little bit. I'll check into your theory about the alleged bad rides on Caracortado. He hasn't won since January. Sorry, I also have to disagree with your final suggestion.

review the chart of the Charles Whittingham Memorial 7/11/11.

Mary Zinke 26 Jul 2011 10:36 AM.

The date for the Charles Whittingham Memorial should read 6/11/11.

DRAYNAY

Thought RA was the "best mare you've even seen"? Then you thought Uncle Mo was superior to Secretariat. Right. How about Blind Luck? Not bad for a CA horse. lol

Carlos in Cali;

Zazu breezed six furlongs in 1:14 4/5 on July 23rd at Del Mar. I'm not perfectly sure where she's heading next, but I suppose that the Del Mar Oaks (gr. I) on August 20th is an option.

-Keelerman

Jason:

Off the subject, will you be doing the Jim Dandy (SAT), and the Haskell (SUN), on this weeks THS?

Jason, I know you have been gone for a while but a couple of weeks ago I saw a true champion run for the first time.  She won her 20th in a row without a defeat something I was told would never see.  I know a poly horse got to 19 out in California and then choked when facing the boys but pacer SEE YOU AT PEELERS has taken on the boys and beaten them too on her way to 20 in a row and she is not stopping there.  Long live the new king of consecutive undefeated wins for a filly or mare.  See you at Peelers in the new champ.

Acclamation looked pretty darn good.  Nice opening for Del Mar.  46,000 showed up on a Wednesday!

Went to Del Mar on Saturday and especially liked Baffert's SECRET CIRCLE'S Maiden win (another Mike Pegram/Baffert product).  

His seven length win while well in hand with a 97 Beyer looks promising.  

Thanks for paying attention, tcc. Secretoo needs to watch that replay. You are my new proof reader.

Jason,

Hope you had a great vacation and glad you are back!  Your guest bloggers were great.

This Sunday I'll get to see a colt you had mentioned awhile back to keep an eye on, Bob Baffert's Coil in the Haskell. ROI, Coil, and Shack could provide us with a "chestnut trifecta" but the dark bays loom large in Pants On Fire and JJ's Lucky Train.  Should be interesting and I cannot wait to be there.

Tough news on First Dude.  Gosh, yet another injury.  They have got to stop the meds, but I assume that will catapoult us into yet another transitionary phase (like the switchover to synthetics) which cannot be helped, it must be done.

They put them all on Lasix to "level the playing field" so to speak (would love to know how the handicappers judge the diuretic water weight loss in figuring out the weights)and it ends up contributing to this fragility in the breed.  Everything seems it has to come crashing down before it gets fixed, why can't thinking be proactive.

On to the Haskell.........."the highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance powerdrive..." hope someone has the foresight to play that for ROI all week ("Born To Run" by Bruce Springsteen which gets played every Haskell post parade) so ROI gets used to it and doesn't freak out like he did with the New York song!  How's that for being a little proactive?

Draynay,   Your love for the great Zenyatta is overwhelming to say the least.  

I bet she never would've realized that one fan (you) could be so in love with her.

Zenyatta fans understand the love you have for her as we do too.

I think we could name her foal after you in your honor,  lets call it " DrayZen"   gosh, that sounds so good.  

Off topic- Frankel was dominating today.  What a performance against Goldikova's conqueror.  Frankel left him for dead.  Amazing acceleration.  

 Off the subject I know (sorry) but Frankel looked pretty good a few minutes ago.  Anyone who faces him is going to have their hands full.

Shackleford looks really good but he is no Big Brown and he is no Curlin.  Winning the Haskell after running in all 3 Triple Crown races is very hard and with Coil sitting off his shoulder all the way around the track I think we will see Shackleford tire late and Coil go on for the win.  Coil wins the Haskell.

Frankel is an impressive animal.

20 in a row and didn't choke.  See you at Peelers is a true champion.

Frankel is a beast.  My goodness,  he is one impressive horse.  It looks like all those horses trained or come from Ireland sure do have what it takes to be number ONE.  

Any of our NA colts would probably have came out of a race like that today with a fracture of some kind.  Frankel was running hard and his body was moving right with him not flinching a bit.   Like a machine.  Just Beautiful...

 Amazing.  Quealey had a hard time pulling Frankel up after the race.  He totally destroyed three real nice horses.  I'm sure at least a few folks feel stupid for being critical of his St.James Palace win after seeing him today.

You guys know how I hate agreeing with Dray, especially after his recent obnoxious posts, but I said before I thought Winter Memories could be the best 3 yr old running.  She looked great today, getting blocked but just pulling away effortlessly in the stretch.

Winter Memories, wow.  You can all thank me now.

If Frankel was in the U.S. he'd probably be shelved by injury by now. He's not decimated with meds over there and allowed to become the monster he is. Over here I think Flat Out could join the division leaders in the older male durt division after his next race.

Jason do you think the 7 furlong King's Bishop is a good place for Uncle Mo if he is ready?  Hard Spun won it and then was a game 2nd I think to Curlin in that year's BC Classic.  But isn't the King's Bishop more of a sprint and Hard Spun didn't have the unfortunate lapse in training as poor Mo.  I hope Mo can do it, are they trying to shorten his distance just to find a race to bring him back in?  Why not the Travers?  What do you think?

Alex: Mike has said all along that in an ideal world he would run Mo in the King's Bishop, Pa. Derby and BC Classic. He wants him to be 3YO champ. At this point, its still realistic because whoever wins the BC Classic is going win the championship. I think the King's Bishop is the right spot if he's ready. And a matchup between him and The Factor would be the race of the summer.

Thanks Jason.  I want Mo to be 3 Year Old Champion too.  What a testament to the breed that would be if Mo can pull it off.  Here's hoping it happens.  Go Mo!

Frankel is the best horse in the world. A wonderful and fitting memorial/tribute to Bobby Frankel. Love it that he is named after him. I am really hoping Uncle Mo is improving. I would love to see him race again. Draynay, did Zenyatta tell you that Santa Claus didn't exist and you never got over it? I am just trying to figure out why you dislike her so much. It's positively twisted.

I agree with Jason, the King's Bishop with The Factor and Uncle Mo both in shape and ready to roll would be the race of the summer.

Frankel's last 4 single furlong splits: 11.16/10.13/11.46/12.03.  These were hand timed, as they do over there, but just imagine what that horse could do on a flat US turf course.  Amazing splits, especially the 10.13.  And the horse won with something left.

Blind Luck will be Horse of the Year.

I agree Jason, if Uncle Mo and The Factor square off in the King's Bishop, it will be the race of the summer.  This is what racing fans drool about.  If they meet, The Factor will beat Uncle Mo.  You all can thank me later.

Dran....er... trackjack

Paula, I don't hate the California restricted poly champion I place her right behind Rachel, Goldikova, Ruffian, Azeri, Black Ruby, Peppers Pride and See You at Peelers.

Soon I will place her behind Winter Memories too.

Draynay

What about Zippy Chippy the 100 race maiden.  I know he's a male but do you think Zen might have had a chance against him?

Laz, don't be silly we ALL KNOW The California restricted poly champion can't beat males on dirt. Never did it never will.

Dray,  We all know all the East Coast horses couldn't beat Zenyatta on Polytrack either.   You see she was never beaten by a horse of her own sex and when she was beaten by a male it was only ONE male and only six inches difference between her head and the finish line. How far back was the other males in that one and only race?    

I say you can't beat that that in the only one time she ever came in second it was after 19 previous races.  Lets not forget,  Blame was in his own backyard. She wasn't and she had to travel to get there and also she was 6 yrs old,  What was the other males excuses?   Please tell me!

Who the heck is Rachel? Oh yeah lost to a claimer Persistent!

Guiness, let me answer you.  Dakota Phone was 10 times the horse The California Restricted Champion was that day.  She made a good run but was too far back and DIDN'T GET IT DONE.  Dakota Phone from WAY OUT got it done and did it with style.  The other horses in the Classic were trying to win the race while the mare was just trying to finish strong to get sympathy when she lost.  It worked.  She got HOY for a year that is a joke when compared to other winners.  It is a black eye on racing and will remain one for many years.  You win awards based on what you did on the track and forever Blame will be the real horse of 2010 not some State poly horse.

Trackjack glad you're back!

Draynay - See You At Peelers is not the king of pacers at 20 for 20. Unless she was gelded, she be queen!:) And she is impressive and only 3.

Alex'sBigFan - hope you have a super time at Monmouth this week end, weather might be scattered thunderstormy tonight and tomorrow, but hopefully the winds will blow the clouds away and Saturday looks clear. No special favorite one i'm pulling for, just hope they all make it soundly and frankly i wouldn't mind if they all crossed the wire at the same time.

Jason, there are some comical folks who post with you, and after a day when it is 107 in the shade, cacti are shriveling up, pastures are scorched, and tanks are dry, it is nice 'to turn on the blog' and catch up on horse news and to laugh a little.

Thanks Jason.

Dray,  if it makes you feel better I'm sure you can find at least 6 or 7 other people that see things as you do but its very limited because everyone else sees Zenyatta for what she truly is and the very few that don't , well,  its their loss not ours.   You can continue through life's journey blind as a bat if you want to.

Interesting that there is no discussion as to why Goldikova was not in the Sussex.  Do we think she might show up for the QE2, or are Canford Cliffs and Frankel expected to ship to France to run in the Marois.  I am assuming no for the QE2, because she will be here for the BC and that is too close to the BC, I believe, for her, so I guess if Sir Henry wants to run against her he will have to ship to France.  I think Canford Cliffs had already targeted the Marois, and is also targeting the QE2 and a rematch with Frankel, but they had also mentioned the BC.  They could still stretch Frankel out, but the way Sir Henry was talking, he might just wait until next year to stretch him out.  Not as interesting as trashing Zenyatta, I know, but at least these horses are currently running.

After his last rant I'm gone until a new topic is up.  Guess it isn't inciting the 300+ comments it used to.  People are smarter now and just move on until a different blog comes up.  Take care guys.  See you next topic.

Draynay

Enough.  You're starting to sound jealous again.  Let's see if you can get your exceptional handicap skills working this weekend.  Anything less than a 5-1 shot don't even bother posting.

Stop obsessing about Zenyatta. She's done racing. We all know how great she was, but it's time to move on. Start talking about this year's champion Blind Luck.

 I say we create a special eclipse award to be given after the fact.  "Horse of 5 1/2 months 2010" to be given to Blame so we can quite talking about it already.  Years from now everyone will remember Zenyatta.  Only a few will remember Blame.  I can hear it now  "Oh yeah...I think I remember Blame...He's that horse that had a good solid 5 1/2 months one year and beat that super horse Quality Road a couple times.  Wasn't he getting five pounds in one of those races?  I'm told a couple pounds makes all the difference."

 So...I can't imagine that Goldikova can beat males on dirt either.  She gets a pass?  I'm sure if she was from California I'd be hearing "Let's see her run farther than a mile" or "Sure, but can she run on dirt."  And how many times did she "choke."  While I'm on the subject, Rachel Alexandra "choked" many more times than Zenyatta am I right?  OK...end of rant.  Sorry people.  I really am sick of this subject.  Can we move on?

MY NAME IS DRAYNAY

Zenyatta is the Poly State champion.

Zenyatta has NEVER beat males on the dirt.

Zenyatta is a loser.

I am a winner.

I only pick winners.

She's a poly state champion.

poly state champion.

Zenyatta sucks.

I just want attention.

Zenyatta is the poly state champion.

See you at peeleers will defeat zenyatta in the BC Classic.

Poly state champ.

You can thank me for picking Quality Road winner of BC Classic, Uncle Mo winner of KY Derby and Harve De Grace winner of Delaware Handicap.

Poly state champ.

No horse west of the Mississippi is worth anything.

Last year Quality Road was Americas horse; this year it's Harve De Grace.

Zenyatta is the poly state champion.

Coil was my pre-derby pick. Another MP/Baffert 2 year old to watch to watch would be SECRET CIRCLE.  Perhaps the Best Pal next.

It's official.  How about a Dakota Phone vs. Tres Barachos matchup?

JJW.  The "talk" is Blind Luck in the Pacific Classic...leading to the Breeder's Cup Classic?  

Hollendorfer may have his eyes on Horse of the Year.

Householder,

Dakota Phone has been retired....Lookslike Tres Borrachos will have to go it alone on that one.

How about Euroears though? Nice win back off a fou rmonth layoff after finishing second in DUbai...most horses have that "desert bounce" or take awhile re-acclimating after that journey but he sure had a nice win in the Bing Crosby. Baffert hit a strong double that day for sure!

Jason,

You were sure right about Coil!!! I started following him just before his Swaps victory as I was merely curious but boy did he run a nice race. Shackleford ran pretty well too to dig down and fight him. It is AMAZING how much Coil looks like Point Given! Martin Garcia really is a bit underrated...that kid rode Coil to perfection after they blew the break. NICE RUN! I imagine he'll be the favorite in the Travers if he goes and rightfully so! Nice horse!

Afleet Treet.  Coil was upset by Dreamy Kid ($40.00) in the Swaps.

I did not have it.  I did not have (Barry Irwin's) Prized either!

Prized later took the Breeder's Cup Turf as a 3 year old!