Can Gusto Go Longer?

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Footlick — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:19:47 GMT

ruffianruns- Yes, Sariska's trainer disaclosed that she had that condition but she has had it her whole life. He said he was very disappointed as he expected a big race out of her and he certainly thought she could win pretty convincingly from what he said. He also thought she had a strong chance in the Arc.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:43:49 GMT

Jason

Would you believe seven? They are certainly going to either control the ball most of the game and, or score a lot of points, unless they make too many mistakes. The question is what is Detroit's offense going to do. Anything to do with the NFL right now for me is iffy. I don't have much of a feel for what's going on yet. New England looks pretty good. A number of teams look bad. The Jimmy Clausen era should start any minute. Sorry, no action at this point.

berttheclock

I agree too.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:29:36 GMT

it ain't easy being as wrong as draynay always is

I thought that that's what he has been saying all along. Those spelling the name wrong mistakes he constantly makes is catching up to him.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Jason Shandler — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:18:49 GMT

I'll take some of that action Dr. D. Eagles cant beat anyone by 14.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Householder — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:52:12 GMT

The L-Classic is shaping up to be the best race of the Breeder's Cup. I say it's time to settle this Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra thing once and for all. I say Zenyatta takes HOY out of this race. The wheels are going to come off of the Breeder's Cup Classic with Awesome Gem or some Euro who can run 1 1/4 hitting at 50-1.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:48:03 GMT

Ted from LA

Horse racing is definitely the world's roughest sport. Jockeys are the bravest humans alive. How much courage does it take to be a great jockey? Tons. Nice, long post from you Ted !!! Philadelphia Eagles by 14 over Detroit Lions. Da Lions won't be able to recover from that atrocity of a call. What do you have to do?- Take the ball into the locker room, and lock it in your locker? Then if someone takes it from your locker two days later, the catch doesn't count?

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

ruffianruns — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:37:50 GMT

My Juliet - Thanks fellow Rachel fan. I'll check it out.

Footlick - Yes, she was talented. I can see why it would be sad if she was working so well in her gallops. I just think she knows something that we don't, but maybe that doesn't make much sense if she was running so well. If they could only talk in a way that we could understand!

Dr D - Thanks for weighing in on Sariska. That's how I see it, but I can understand the disappointment, too.

KentuckyFan - I've always thought Zen would be great on turf, but then somewhere I heard some trainer saying about ANOTHER horse that she's too big for the turf, she's sink on it. I don't know, Zenyatta's so good on synthetic surfaces, maybe it would translate to turf. I still think she's best on dirt.

Laz - It's a pest nearby.

Footlick - Oh! I just read your post about the "kissing spine." What the hell? Did you find that at Racing Post? I'll have to do some research. Thanks!

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

it ain't easy being as wrong as draynay always is — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:16:46 GMT

The day is coming when Rachael Alexandra has to come up with a excuse not to run in the Classic or show up and get whipped.

draynay 13 Sep 2010 10:50 PM

He finally said something that makes sense!!

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

berttheclock — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:28:07 GMT

Can't I, simply, savor the great win by my beloved KC Chiefs, for a spell.

But, still no reporting of how he is doing at Pomona, er Fairplex, by Ted from LA.

Now, in the old days of the hard clay 1/2 mile track, many a young two year old was injured at Pomona. Remember in a bull ring, a six to 7F race is around two turns while a mile and sixteenth is around three. Today's surface is far more fair to horses, but, Barrett's still conducts their young horses in training sale at that facility and many are pushed to explode. But, I still believe in the comments from that fine lady from Kentucky, who complained about the still developing colts and fillies being forced into two turns at far too early an age. Do prefer the systems used in France, England and Ireland.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Jason Shandler — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:18:29 GMT

I gave you guys Green Bay in week 1. Hope you cashed. Stay tuned for week 2...

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Ted from LA — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:51:17 GMT

You all had me LingOL multiple times on this thread and honestly, I seldom LOL in real life and even less on-line. Dr. D, great stuff. I bow before you (well, I would if my hamstrings weren't so goshdarn tight (Jason, please let that curse word in) and teach me how to close random parenthesis))... thanks. I was actually laughing hard post after post until the jockey injury post from Dr. D. That is the main thing I hate about horseracing. I was at a disabled jockey fundraiser a couple years ago and they were counting up races from those who were present, some with no health problems, some with paralysis. It came out to about one in a million races. The problem is, that was with the giants of the sport. At the smaller tracks, I am sure the odds are not so generous. mz, Zed is a great name for a racehorse. That Mr. Ed Show was a doozy. I should have never mentioned MTV and all the degenerates and classless people dwelling there. That was unprofessional of me. Wait a minute... I just reviewed this thread. Dr. D, are you implying I didn't get the President/CEO job at the Bloodhorse? If that is indeed a fact, I agree with your assessment regarding sending Jason for coffee before I landed the job. It's unfortunate. I could have run this publication into the ground in weeks with my hands tied behind my back (calling Paula Higgins, Paula Higgins, Straight Man is leaving the house. Jason, please close that parentheses for me. I am exausted after calling the Jets to get second in the Super Bowl. I am ready for Breeders' Cup. I plan to put my 16 children through college with my winnings. Storm Cat had nothing on Ted from LA. Aside from the ultimate retirement plan.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Footlick — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:26:31 GMT

ruffianruns- Sariska has a kissing spine, which causes pain and inflammation. She's had it all her life, but it must have been bothering her more now. I'm sure that it was a factor.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Ranagulzion — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:47:09 GMT

DRAYNAY,

Will you promise to be quiet if she shows up and wins? ...Mind you, I wouldn't be betting on either outcome.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Ranagulzion — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:42:00 GMT

Ha Ha Ha Ha ...LAZ you're funny ...when you take a break from the defence of Zen (LOL)

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:15:33 GMT

Ranagulzion

Is it just me or is there a pest lurking somewhere nearby?

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Meydan Rocks — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:06:34 GMT

LOOKS LIKE DEAR RACHEL MIGHT BE GOING IN THE BCLC.

Blind Luck... WATCH OUT!

From DRF

"After failing to get the 1 1/4 miles of the Personal Ensign, it is more likely Rachel Alexandra would be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic at 1 1/8 miles on Nov. 5, rather than the $5 million Classic against the boys – and perhaps Zenyatta – on Nov. 6."

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:56:33 GMT

Ranagulzion

I am puzzled as to why you think that Informed Decision would be a candidate for the BC Distaff, a race that at 9F seems to be clearly too far for her. True, her running style in 7F races suggests that she should be able to stretch out and get the 9F distance without any problem or at least be competitive, but in reality she has competed only once beyond 7F (which seems to be her favorite distance) when early on in her career she went a mile and backed up terribly to finish 4th by 15L. The race was a bit of a toughie, the G2 Davona Dale at Gulfstream, and it was on dirt, but she had won her first two career starts there (one after being elevated to the win after finishing 2nd by a nose). You would think that if she could be competitive in a route against G1 competition, her connections would enter her in some of those races, especially with her class and tremendous will. And a win at longer distances would do wonders for her breeding resume. Maybe she’s just a good sprinter who can excel against sprinters at the difficult 7F distance, but does not have the stamina to be a good router.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

draynay — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:50:47 GMT

Ranagulzion, the day is coming when Zenyatta has to come up with a excuse not to run in the Classic or show up and get whipped. Either way she proves herself to be nothing more then a synthetic specialist.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

KentuckyFan — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:19:31 GMT

I've never heard much talk about it, but I'd love to see Zenyatta try the turf. With her pedigree - and particularly her running style - I bet she'd be lights out.

Lucien Lauren always insisted that Secretariat was lengths better on turf than he was on dirt. It's a shame we won't know how Z would handle it, but it does make you wonder.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Ranagulzion — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 01:40:41 GMT

GunBow,

My views on Zenyatta are well documented on these blogs. I'm a loyal fan who has been both mesmerized (by her brilliance) and frustrated (by the timidity of her campaign). She is a very very very special horse that has been raced too sparingly (not so much in terms of her number of starts but moreso with respect to the number of soft spots and the avoidance of top competitors on Dirt and Synthetics) to the detriment of her legacy. Eighteen straight victories is a great accomplishment in one sense but not in every respect. Connoisseurs of the game do not look at statistics without considering the context in which the stats were built. Hence Queen Zenyatta will always be dogged by doubter/naysayers who have legitimate critisms of her resume. Lets see if she can silence them or diminish their rantings and mine, against her to a wisper in November. I will change my moniker to Rumpelstilskin, to my shame and in her honour, if she does it at the expense of the return of the "King", Quality Road.

Regarding the East coast West coast quarrel, I stay out of it because I consider myself a true fan of the sport and a lover of the champions wherever they are based or wherever they race.

Informed Decision on the Dirt at Churchill Downs in the Distaff could add a lot more mystery and intrigue to the "Ladies Classic". It would be interesting to see where an upset victory would place her in the contest for championship honours as well as whether she would at last grab some attention among the female superstars or even eclipse any of them. I wish her connections would take a gamble here ...after all she has the pedigree and class for such a challenge.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

GunBow — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:57:26 GMT

Good for Midday getting another gr.1! The turf races at last year's Breeder's Cup at Santa Anita were absolutely first-rate affairs. And the fact the Breeder's Cup was held at the same track 2 straight year might have encouraged owners and trainers to bring the winners back because they knew their horses liked the track. It certainly made it easier to repeat.

The result is we fans got to see Goldi and Conduit both repeat. We also were treated to a sensational performance by a promising 3 year old filly, Midday, who this year has proven herself Europe's best distance female with 3 gr.1 wins(5 in her career). In her Filly and Mare Turf win Midday had to face the defending champ, 4 time gr.1 winner Forever Together.

Throw in Lookin at Lucky, Blind Luck, Ventura, Informed Decision, Life is Sweet, California Flag, and a Classic that has produced at least 6 gr.1 winners this year, and the 09' Breeder's Cup was outstanding, synthetic or not. The only races that I think suffered being run on synthetic were the Sprint and Dirt Mile, the Sprint in particular. But the other maintrack races drew quality Euros that likely would not have run otherwise.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Ranagulzion — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:47:45 GMT

KEELERMAN,

Your comments regarding Informed Decision is appreciated. I think however that on dirt she could act better as a stayer (in keeping with her pedigree) than trying to sprint as she does on Synthetics. I have seen no evidence whatsoever that she would fold in a dirt route race. Her connections must know best but the reasons that they have advanced for keeping her in sprints never suggested any lack of stamina. I think that she is begging for a distance of ground in order to show her other dimensions. Informed Decision has accomplished much in her career but has been unfortunately overshadowed by megastars Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra while showing a lot of spunk and versatility on Synthetics. She is no slouch on Dirt either and might indeed also have something to show on Turf. Doesn't this mare strike you as an extraordinary Broodmare prospect?

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

GunBow — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:31:41 GMT

Ranagulzion:

I did mention Zenyatta in my post about Freaky because her undefeated record was one of the first things that came into my head after Freaky cross the wire 2nd. Seeing outstanding horses lose reminds how remarkable it is for a horse to win even 3 or 4 races, let alone 10, and my goodness 18 is just outrageous especially since 12 have come in gr.1 events. I felt and still feel the same way about Cigar. Yet, I go on youtube and I read people dismissing Cigar. That's when I know that it's impossible to please everyone.

I actually never used the Z word on my post about Informed Decsion. Zenyatta was on my mind, but my main point for that post was my frustration with how California racing has been tied to synthetcs, and vice versa. It seems to me that most of people's anger over synthetics is directed at Califronia tracks and Cali horses. I see much fewer pieces where people are condemning everything about Arlington, Woodbine, Turfway, Presque Isle, or Keeneland.

And as someone who lives in Cali now, it's hard to see certain people just completely dismiss the horses I watch on a regular basis because they are running on synthetics. There are people out there who just have to make sure that there's an asterisk next to anything a Cali horse does on synthetic. Again, I don't see an equal animosity or even hatred being directed at the Midwestern and Eastern synthetic tracks and the horses running over them.

And if one remembers, at last year's Breeder's Cup Informed Decision won the Female Sprint from the Turfway-Keeneland-Arlington synthetic circuit, She Be Wild won the Juvenile Fillies from the Arlington-Keeneland synthetic circuit, Furthest Land won the Dirt Mile from Turfway's synthetic, and Cloudy's Knight almost won the Marathon from the Woodbine and Kentucky turf. Horses from the East and Midwest did have success on the Pro-Ride. But in many of the rants from East Coasters codmening the Breeder's Cup for being run on synthetic, I read disparaging remarks about the home-track advantage of Zenyatta and Life is Sweet with no acknowledgement that non-Cali horses won a number of the maintrack races(this doesn't even include Vale of York or Man of Iron).

People don't bring up the synthetic argument just for Zenyatta (as it realted to her being the greatest female ever). No, I heard the same doubts and qualifications throughout the Triple Crown prep season. The simple fact is there are those out there, including some who participate on this blog, that just refuse to give Cali synthetic horses much of any credit. For them, Cali horses have to run on dirt(which by definition means going East) to prove their worth. Thus, it wasn't until Lookin at Lucky and Blind Luck proved themselves superior on TWO surfaces(and after travelling far more than any Eastern based horse) until certain people gave them their due.

For me one of the great things about Santa Anita going back to dirt is to see the response of those who use the existence of synthetics to explain and justify their hostility towards Cali racing. Without synthetics at the biggest Cali meet, will these critics now embrace Cali racing? Some, maybe. But the others will find something else, just like before synthetics there were people dismissing the fast times and big Beyers being produced(late 80s-90s) as an artifact of dirt surfaces that were "freeways". When I was growing up the arguments were virtually flipped. Many Easterns emphasized class, quality, style and were skeptical of the times and speed figures of the Cali horses. For them, running fast and winning by a big margin on a "souped up" speedway wouldn't do the Cali horses any good if they had to go East and run on "unbiased" dirt tracks, tracks that would test stamina and quality. What are the Cali critics going to do when they don't have synthetics to hide behind? All I know is that they will find something, they always have. (As I side note, these people are a minority, so I'm not paranoid).

I will never forget the comment some local Kentuckian made at the 2000 Breeder's Cup at Churchill. I had grown up in Cali but had moved to Michigan a year before the 00' Breeder's Cup. So, I was still rooting for the Cali contingent because I was most familiar with them.

That year, the Breeder's Cup Distaff was the first BC race, or one of the first few. The favorite for the Distaff, and a heavy favorite, was the California-based Riboletta. After she ran out of the money, a man standing next to me started proclaiming to anyone who would listen that Churchill"is not California. This is our house. This is a championship racetrack. These California horses aren't coming here and winning" or words to this effect. I didn't say anything in return, partly because I had heard it plenty of times before. Needless to say, I wish I had run into him again after Kona Gold, War Chant, and Tiznow won!

As for Informed Decision, if there was a turf mile race just for females, I would say that might suit her best. But of the races that exist, I still think the Female Sprint is the best for her, especially since her only gr.1 win on dirt was at Churchill.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Paula Higgins — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:03:54 GMT

The Tin Man, I hope you're right. I would love to see Zenny's kids stay with Jerry and Ann Moss. You Zenny is like one of the family; you can see that when they are around her. When she is retired, I wonder how Ann Moss will cope with it. I know she just loves her and Kentucky is far away.

re: Can Gusto Go Longer?

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:01:26 GMT

That's terrible news about jockey Michael Martinez. Only 24 years old, in critical condition, at the very least he will be paralyzed. Incredibly dangerous sport. He was involved in a spill at GG Fields Sunday.