Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Wanda — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:37:28 GMT

Well people here's another example of the connections doing the right thing by the horse. Visionaire is not BC Sprint bound. Despite the arm chair trainers saying otherwise, these guys figured out he's a one turn miler. Good for them. I hope to see him run this fall and into next year.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Art — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:52:35 GMT

Well, Visionaire isn't heading for the Sprint. Won't even be at the Cup. Too bad the Great Draynay isnt training LOL

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Bryce Be Quick — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:16:16 GMT

Many thanks, Jason-- appreciate your efforts in following up one what seems to border on criminal neglect at Penn National. A friend of mine had to retire a filly based up there earlier this year-- just could not keep her ligaments/soft tissue sound--the surface was looking poor even then, and that was back in the Spring-- guess this is what happens when you get slotters running a race track as a side-line business?

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Clay — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:25:46 GMT

I had Ferocious Fires in the Forego

and I've never seen a more terrible ride than what I saw. The horse broke great and Cornelio Velasquez started pulling him up immmediately. You can't see this on the replay but at the simulcast you get a bird's eye view. He kept battling this horse all the way around the turn, standing up on him and yanking him to the inside when the outside was open. The horse was full of run but the jock wouldn't let him go. At the eighth pole he finally laid the whip to him and hung on to finish a game third. If I was the trainer I wouldn't let this jock back on my horses.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Draynay — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:13:13 GMT

JordanA let me tell you something... I think many trainers have NO IDEA what they are talking about! Let me give a example... all week Mr. McLaughlin has been saying Lucky Island was the one to beat... and "he" was the one to fear. To tell you the truth I thought he was nuts and I threw Lucky Island out because I didn't think he would hit the board I had my money on a very good First Defence and Ferocious Fires in my Exacta. Now who new more me or McLaughlin? McLaughlin may know horses but he is no Handicapper if he is ask him how much money he had on Lucky Island to win...

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Huh — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:02:17 GMT

Also, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Forego winner First Defence as a top sprinter, I mean he already won a G1 and who cares it was a race without Benny the Bull, he still won.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Huh — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:00:14 GMT

Tropic Storm although he hasn't done much yet, is just coming into his own and I think that maybe he could become a force to be recken with come sprint time.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Matthew W — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:48:28 GMT

Right on Draynay, I think Visionaire is a one turn horse regardless of sprint distance, yet I think his turn of foot is not as quick as Street Boss's, who is flying somewhat under the radar and ran his best race at Santa Anita.....also Abraaj definitely contends for it all--three closers, it's a trip race!! I never thought Benny The Bull would beat Street Boss but agree, Visionaire looks real live in the Sprint....

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Householder — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:42:02 GMT

Street Boss or Silky Sullivan. The Ancient Title is the next stop for this crack sprinter. He owns the Southern California tracks and has a knack for overcoming troubled trips. Trips much like the BC Sprint/Rodeo.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

JordanA — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:12:55 GMT

Just been reading for a while, I don't know what the deal was with Lute, seems like he's going thru similar drama that the coach he's named for has been dealing with.

As far as Draynay, I think you preached that same story about the trainer not knowing what's up. I just have a couple questions. Do you think these horses train themselves? Who do you think has insight into what the horses do and who do you think has input into where they run if not the trainer?

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Jason Shandler — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:42:42 GMT

Bryce: This is a terrible situation. A few of the horsemen I talked to the other day said the track surface at Penn National is a disaster. It sounds like they waited way too long to shut that place down, and the horses paid for it. I will keep investigating this story.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Art — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:16:10 GMT

Dray, you're obviously new to racing. It's quite alright - you'll learn.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Bryce Be Quick — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:56:51 GMT

Fabulous Strike was recently moved out of his Penn National barn due to the failing surface, which a crack BloodHorse reporter, some guy named Jason Shandler, writes elsewhere today, has resulted in 14 catastrophic breakdowns at Penn National in just the past 22 days, commencing August 7th. The PA HBPA offered to make a substantial contribution towards installation of the proven Tapeta synthetic surface, but the all-knowing management team at Penn National, who probably understand slots better than horses and racing, turned the offer down sans comment. Makes you want to move back to Maryland, where the industry is dying (if not dead) and you have to put up with Frank Stronach and his revolving merry-go-round non-management style of the Magna Entertainment crowd, but at least the horses are not dropping like flies on the tracks.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

lazy_mutt — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:06:07 GMT

Two words: Kodiak Kowboy

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Draynay — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:13:01 GMT

Hey Art: I don't care what his trainer said. If trainers knew everything they would be rich... they have a hard time picking winners too.

Visionaire just won the Kings Bishop and won it with ease. Should he win the Breeders Cup Sprint what will you say then ? Bet against him at your own risk.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Draynay — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:07:18 GMT

BlueGrass is right ... thanks Teaser

Pollas... Visionaire beat Knights Cross and Out of Gwedda in the slop at Saratoga at 6 1/2 furlongs right before the KingsBishop.

Here is the question.... if he wins the Breeders Cup Sprint does he win Sprint Champion of the Year ? Winning the King and the Cup should do it for him right ?

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Pollas — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:35:46 GMT

Regarding Visionaire, he beat elders in a race before the King's Bishop. I can't recall the distance of the race. Anybody else know?

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Teaser — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:00:02 GMT

I believe Dray means the Blue Grass

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Slew.em.All — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:30:11 GMT

Draynay; the Gotham is staged at Aquaduct in New York on dirt no less..Street Boss IS the Real Deal!

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Draynay — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:56:07 GMT

Take note... Visonaire ran on the Poly at Keenland in the Gotham. Again he had to go 10 wide and did close on the winners finishing a respectable 5th. I think he will take to the surface at Santa Anita and could be the sprint favorite.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

schabelli — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:47:41 GMT

Now that the competition is beginning to thin out in the sprint ranks maybe they will move Big Brown there. The thinner it gets the more likely they will follow their pattern of looking for the easiest race with little competition. He'd fit well there.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Art — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:46:21 GMT

Draynay, when you've followed this sport as much as I have, you'll learn to tell the difference between a true sprinter and a talented cut-back miler. Visionaire is definitely the latter, and his trainer has also stated that publicly.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Nearcoman — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:45:44 GMT

It's likely that Lewis Michael will opt for the Sprint versus the Dirt (Synthetic) Mile...even though he will, most assuredly, be cross pre-entered in both events. The 325 foot short run into the first turn of the Mile limits the number of starters to twelve. Even the most sporting could be prevented from risking an outside draw if other options are at hand. It is also predictably probable that Lewis has not yet run his very best race. The Midnight Lute camp likened their steed to Olympic sprint specialist Usain Bolt. But the real thunder took the gold in the Pat O'Brien Hcp.-G3. His trainer, WMC, should not be underestimated solely because of his Midwest lodgings. Should Catalano have this horse as "good as hands could make 'em" on 10/25, the fire he breathes could burn the mutuel tickets of the punters that wager against him.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

larry — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:56:40 GMT

Sprint races are a joke. I will tell you all why. A good classic horse can shorten up on distance and kill a sprinter going 6 to 7 furlongs. For example Forego killed Mr. Prospector, Precisionist, Gulch, Dancing Spree, cut back on distance and desroyed all sprinters. Ferdinand and Rock Hard ten when shortened up on distance, destroyed their sprinting opposition. Or more recently the brilliant Congaree, who would go short after winning a mile and a quarter and destroy the likes of Aldebaran. Just this past weekend Visionaire proved me right once again. Sprinters are a joke, and will never beat a good classic horse at any distance from 6 furlongs on up.

re: Sprint Division Becomes Wide-Open

Alex — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:43:47 GMT

Visionaire, the BC Sprint or the BC Mile? Talk amongst yourselves.

In other news, I'm back at the Spa tomorrow to close out the meet and hopefully (hah!) have a joyous reunion with the big whack of cash I left behind on Travers Day.

Slambino be damned! I'm still a Pyromaniac!