Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Householder — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:31:57 GMT

Quality road is a question mark around a one mile oval. It's a question that a certain up and comer Lookin at Lucky has answered. Both horses at Churchill I go with Lucky.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Ranagulzion — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:54:00 GMT

jayjay,

Quality Road doesn't care for his conpetition, whether the field is weak or strong. This 'monster' races against the clock Buddy ...watch and wonder.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

jayjay — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:56:37 GMT

Ranagulzion : I don't question that QR is fast and maybe he is a monster like you say but he has been a "monster" against weak fields up to this point. The Whitney will definitely show if he's good enough for Zenyatta in the Classic or not. Zenyatta needs only the best to show up in the Classic, pretenders should stay home, this is the race of champions.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:09:13 GMT

Thanks everyone who responded with closers. Some great ones were mentioned. There are quite a few versatile horses that closed from last sometimes or even most of the time. There are horses that close from last every time or almost every time but they can't win every time. Zenyatta has an amazing will to win. I thought there was no way she could get through that traffic in The Classic. However I do think that maybe she wouldn't have been able to win 17 in a row if every race would have been 8-12 horse fields. It seems she would have been blocked somewhere. But then again maybe she would have won them all. She did prove she can weave through traffic against the best competition in The Classic.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:53:35 GMT

Lazmannick

It was in the forties. I used to know. You could be right about Williams. I forget which year. Still 41 lengths is amazing. I do think it was .406 for Williams. I just saw a Fugitive TV episode last night, and in the bar they were watching baseball on TV. Warren Spahn was pitching to Maury Wills.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

LAZMANNICK — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:26:28 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum

Caorrection.....I think it was only 41 lengths.....for something of significance in baseball, wasn't that the year Ted Williams was the last to hit over 400?

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Ranagulzion — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:52:52 GMT

Jayjay,

Quality Road is so good that he scares owners and trainers. Those that are brave enough to compete against him fret about their charges being embarassingly overmatched ...get it? After QR's exibition in the Whitney only the lure of the multi-million dollar purse will tempt rivals to race against him in the Breeder's Cup Classic. I think that its very likely that both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra will square off in the Distaff (Lady's Clasic) out of due deference to 'His Royal Highness' Quality Road (King of the Dirt) after their connnections view his Whitney exibition in awe. Otherwise he totally steals their thunder and causes the much anticipated clash of the equine queens to fizzle. Think about it Pal. Quality Road is a monster ...you'll become a believer after the whitney.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

skyfire — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:29:47 GMT

LDP, you are reasonable, you use logic, and you are respectful -- I think you are a smart blogger - I like what I read from you.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

sodapopkid — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:39:25 GMT

Carry Dray with you on vacation Jason. So we can have a vacation from him.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

LAZMANNICK — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:50:55 GMT

Hey Jaason

VACATION TIME (Aug 1)

Hope you and your family have the best time of your lives.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

sodapopkid — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:30:05 GMT

LDP,Dray, both seem to start a rant everytime they blog.

I think you two need to go and drink a cold Guinness like Zen does after a tiring day. It may help you to take the edge off a little.

'It sure works for Zenyatta'

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

CV — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:42:52 GMT

"Let's try to discuss these great horses while keeping our hearts in tune with the big picture. We are so lucky to have them alive and healthy and cared for and racing."

ruffianruns 28 Jul 2010 6:03 PM

^This. Look at how many horses have been lost or injured over the past several months. Yeah. All of you who feel compelled to type frantically about "weak fields" need to take a step back.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

jayjay — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:25:52 GMT

I'm bReAtHiNg now ruffianruns, calming down here. I'll keep my focus on this weekend where IceBox will finally get a chance to show his true self, the Belmont was a definite throwout race. I think he'll be right up there in the Haskell, I have faith on Lezcano to win the whole thing. He'll be at a good price. I think it'll be LAL coming up for 2nd beating SS and FD and possibly Trappe Shot. I'll put pretty much all of my money on IceBox and singling him on top on all my trifectas. I'll throw some fitty cent supers with LAL, SS and FD on top but I'll go all in with my $5.00 on IceBox baby!

It's too bad I won't know until after the race starts who Draynay will pick since there's no way to figure who will be the favorite in this race before it runs. Anyone wanna side bet that it'll be in this order :

FD, then LAL, then his last and final pick will be whoever wins the race.

For the Jim Dandy, I'll put up Fly Down and Afleet Express on top of Aikenite, Winslow Homer and Friend or Foe. I'm also putting together some tri with Aikenite on top of the other four.

It's only wednesday ?!?!

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Householder — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:31:49 GMT

You have to like Baffert's chances in the Haskell. He's won the race three times in the last nine years.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:26:32 GMT

Lazmannick

Thanks for the info. 61 lengths !!!! Roger Maris.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

jayjay — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:18:26 GMT

LDP : You're just ridiculous now, I've not said one negative word towards you. I'm questioning the things you are posting about QM. Stop acting like you're being attacked, this is a sign of immaturity okay ? I'm debating with you about QM, you're obsessed with QM. You accused me of saying she sucked, that I dismissed her, yet you can't answer my question whether you even cared about this horse BEFORE she ran against Rachel. Stop acting like people are attacking you, you love to debate and when you can't debate, you resort to acting like people are attacking you. Read the whole thread, you're the one that used the word "stupid", to LAZ even, one of the bloggers here who are pretty knowledgeable about horse racing.

I feel like I'm talking to a kid here...someone help! I quit! LOL

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

ruffianruns — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:03:54 GMT

Come on people!

Let's bReAtHe. BrEaThE.

Let's imagine that we log on to our computers tomorrow, check the news, and we find out that Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, God forbid, have been injured or worse. God forbid. My eyes now are tearing up at the thought - my heart breaks.

Do the putdowns and the petty remarks really matter then? I can't imagine so. Can you imagine your regret?

Remember all the excitement and buildup to the Derby? Wasn't the news about Tiz Chrome just heartbreaking? He was going easy, was switching leads, and stepped wrong, according to Baffert. He's gone.

And the news about Eskendereya? I was SO looking forward to Esky racing in the Triple Crown series. Don't you just ache about what could have been?

Let's try to discuss these great horses while keeping our hearts in tune with the big picture. We are so lucky to have them alive and healthy and cared for and racing.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

LDP — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:59:35 GMT

You all keep thinking I'm the one that starts this. Really really funny. I never said I don't like debating we all know I love it. But seriously, people slam me way more then expect me to take. Well, I'm so sorry to disappoint, it's not going to happen. I respond nicely when you comment like your thinking within reason.

When Laz asks how I'm doing with school and actually talks to me like I'm on level ground with him I talk the same way back. So please lets get something very clear. I can and will be nice, but don't expect that when you sit here and call all of what I post stupid, say I know nothing because of my age, as many do, and try to find many many other ways to discredit what I do know. I know exactly what I have to offer and I refuse to take any more or less respect than I deserve.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

LDP — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:53:43 GMT

jayjay,

Really, Calvin just sat on RA in the FDL? Really? He threw 8 or 9 crosses at her down the lane in that race. Here the most he did was shake the reins some and wave the whip for about 10 yards.

On QM, if you really refuse to actually read what I say at face value and then try and twist my words whatever. But really, I haven't change, the ones who like to jerk around are you and Laz. Nice one second, slamming me the next. Do me a favor decide which one you want to be, jerk or reasonable, that way I can decide whether or not responding is even a option. I have never change my outlook or the way I post. I post what I think, nothing more nothing less. And to be honest, if you don't like I could still really care less.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

jayjay — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:09:49 GMT

LDP : Get over QM already. What is up with you and QM ? Where did this obsession come from ? Is this your way of justifying the LS race ? Before this race, you didn't even know anything about QM and I didn't either, you're acting like she's one of the blossoming horses that would surely make an impact. You are glorifying her because she ran against Rachel. Be honest, did you know anything about this horse before the LS ?

It's pretty obvious that anytime we "Zen fanatics" say something about Rachel, you seem to automatically assume it was about Zenyatta, you say we're unreasonable when here you are arguing about an ungraded stakes that pretty much everyone assumed she would win handily and by many many lengths. Even Billy said he'll be shocked if she doesn't win by 10 lengths. Even Draynay thought she would blow the field away. Now that one horse came close to her and made her work, you act like this is such an important race.

QM ran the best race of her life so far, will she compete in G1s after this, who knows and I really could care less. I want to know if Rachel will progress after this race, we'll have to see in the PE how well this race helped her. The FDL which is a G2, Borel was more worried about fixing his goggles at the top of the turn than the horse on the lead. He sat on her like he was cruising the california coast whereas in the LS, he looked like he was driving a taxi in NYC working hard to get past all the tourists.

Billy : I'll enjoy my vacation from you, ya nut :) Have a great time and take your time man, I hope you made enough money for a month long vacation! LOL (that LOL is usually reserved for Draynay but I'm throwing out one for ya) :)

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Kit J — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:50:54 GMT

Please LDP, it's embarrassing. I don't discriminate based on age. I get along exceptionally well with a vast number of young people of many ages. You on the other hand, well Zookeeper said it well.

I don't say you don't know more than I THINK, I say you don't know as much as YOU think you do.

I have just one thing to say on the job changing. You're what 17 or 18? How long have you been working and how many jobs could you have possibly had? Maybe there's a reason some people change jobs so frequently?

I didn't ever say you didn't know about horses. I'm sure you're a voracious reader and have had a few years experience. BUT like it or not you've never had experience with horses on the track.

Oh Billy? By the way, we're certifiable? Go back and read the blogs, I've not been commenting long and I never trash the sport I love or the people in it. Can you say the same?

Certifiable? Uh, we're not the ones going to SC in the middle of a deadly heat wave, with a warning issued recently, and to top it off in hurricane season. :)

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

LDP — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:41:09 GMT

By the way, you might want to brush up on your reading to. I would love to know where I ever claimed to know about every facet of racing. Heck, in fact, you will mostly see me post IMO or me say, that I don't know everything.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

LDP — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:38:01 GMT

Kit,

That was one of them many stables i have worked. I once worked at a stable where I kept my horses, but later I worked at a place that was an Arabian racing/breeding farm, but had transitioned into TB racing. People do switch jobs you know.

Also, you prove my point on not willing to teach as does almost every other poster who trys to challenge me. Has it ever occured to you that I might know just a bit more than you think? I'm a very good listener when you don't discriminate based on age or not shoving Zenyatta down my throat enough to make me throw it back up.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Kit J — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:30:04 GMT

LDP, tune up your reading comprehension before school starts. "sole experience with race horses is what she reads and hears from others. This person can't even wager and rarely even steps foot on the track."

I believe you said your experience was working at a stable where you kept your 'horses'. I've seen you challenge people with your vast experience. Like it or not kiddo, someone who has been around horses for 60 years is going to know more than someone who has been around them for 10 or even 15 years. Laws of nature.

You also proved my point for me on young people thinking they have nothing to learn from experience.

re: Opening Weekend Picks From Del Mar, Saratoga

Kit J — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:25:29 GMT

Yes LDP, I grew up on a ranch in Colorado where we had a ton of horses. Do I know about the finer points of horse racing? Just from what I read, the conversations I have with race track friends. Being an expert with horses doesn't make you an expert in all breeds or facets. I know a lot of people from the track. I seriously doubt you could go to the track and work without a lot of training.

Do you know anything about wagering other than what you read or your pretend handicapping?

Actually I'm not a Zen fanatic. I much preferred Rachel when I first watched her run in person as a two year old and a three year old. Quote where I have ever diminished the horse's past accomplishments.

You are the overzealous one.

Billy I thought you were on vacation?

I have posted a couple of comments on here. My first comment was to Jason asking if Monmouth had moved to Del Mar or Saratoga, note the title.

As you are so willing to point out to anyone and everyone, this is a blog. A blog is where people express their opinion. What, unless it doesn't coincide with yours?

I do believe YOU are the one who goes back on blogs and posts long after others leave it, you and Draynay where you take your little jabs at people.

What are you the moderator? I seriously doubt that Jason would pass that job onto you, he does an exceptional job with a tedious task.

You on the other hand? Another one who tries to act like they know everything and everyone.