All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

MikeM — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:20:32 GMT

CD beat nothing and it is a far cry from who he will face in the BCC, depending who show's up of course.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Joan Cowin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:36:05 GMT

Well folks looks like Casino just got his 4th win. This goes out to all you Casino Drive doubters...... TOLD YA SO!

See you at the Classic in the Winners Circle with Casino Drive.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

FRANKIE DANKIE — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:45:59 GMT

WHEN IN DOUBT,.. GO BETWEEN the synthetic signs and bet with clout! ;)

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

HORSEWLD — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:16:45 GMT

MikeM and J- never said that CD will win the race, just that, if he shows, he is capable of putting in a good performance based on his class. Just because he has not raced does not mean that he hasn't matured greatly also. I just wouldn't throw him out because I, myself, as well as many others, just plain like the horse because of class, breeding, or whatever reason. Having said that, there are others I like as well like Curlin and Zenyatta to name just a couple. But will they even show up. That is the question as a whole. Who's in and who's not?

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Jason Shandler — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:10:21 GMT

I agree MikeM: Casino Drive is a throw out in the Classic. He has no shot.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

MikeM — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:05:55 GMT

Ok let me see if i understand.CD is going to win because he is classier than Curlin,BB,Commentator,CJ,Mambo in Seattle etc etc.Class is just part of the equation. My point is that he has little chance of winning THAT race off of 2 races in a year and one allowance prep. If he runs and the field includes the above horses(I know I have left out other worthy challengers)he will not hit the board.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Householder — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:49:07 GMT

Saturday September 27th "The Great Race Place."

Clement L Hirsch Turf Championship (Grade 1)

RED GIANT/SPING HOUSE

The Lady Secret Stakes (Grade 1)

ZENTATTA ("Simply Poetry in motion").

The Ancient Title Stakes (Grade 1)

STEET BOSS (Synthetic Monster...look for new track record)

The Oak Leaf Stakes (Grade 1)

WILL O WAY

The Yellow Ribbon Stakes (Grade 1)

BLACK MAMBA

The Goodwood Stakes (Grade 1)

WELL ARMED (Gets little respect, ultra consistent)

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

HORSEWLD — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:10:23 GMT

Corey-Thanks for the backup when it comes to the class of a horse performing well in a big race. Some people, you'll never get that through to. So let's all just wait and see who's heart will end up breaking come BC day. I'm sure that all of our hearts will end up broken at some point throughout the day more so than that of any horse including that one horse........oh yes Casino Drive.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Corey — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:02:17 GMT

mike m if you really want to hear my opion ill give it to you- class more times than not will get you home and its foolish to think otherwise. the only one whose heart is going to be broken come breeders cup time is yours

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

MikeM — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:40:38 GMT

Corey I would like to here YOUR opinion. Do you have one or do you just bite off of others? In relationship to the other possible contenders his "class" will not get him home. We will see how much class he has after he faces this bunch and gets his heart broken.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Corey — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:32:15 GMT

Horsewld I agree with you about class. Class is everything...the BCC is all class! Will have to see who is the classiest Mike M! You need to listen to horsewld you may learn a thing or two.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

HORSEWLD — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:14:20 GMT

MikeM-Like I said, wasn't comparing races and that's my whole point about class. Class tends to prevale in such circumstances. Alot of horses are not supossed to do well or win in such cases but end up doing so because of their class and tenacity. CD's chance is very well cased. I would say more than just a puncher's chance. {laughing} We'll just have to agree to disagree about Casino Drive and his chances. I'm more interested in if he even shows up or who shows up for that matter.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

MikeM — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:47:11 GMT

Horsewld I couldn't disagree with you more. Curlin did it against three year olds. Casino Drive will have to do it against the best horses in the world which include mature 3 yos and older horses. Curlin was way more seasoned and battle tested by the time he got to the Preakness. It's like comparing apples to oranges. That being said he has a punchers chance in the Classic because after all, it is horse racing.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

HORSEWLD — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:38:22 GMT

Mike M You're welcome for the lesson. Casino Drive has the same chance winning the Classic in his few starts as Curlin did winning the Preakness in his few starts. While not comparing races you can compare circumstances. He has class in his favor on turning in a sharp performance.

In your blog you did make it sound as if front end speed were missing, that's why I stated BB and Commentator. And I very much agree with you that if they both run they will most likely run each other out of the race. Let's just see who shows up to start with.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

MikeM — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:20:36 GMT

Horsewld- Thanks for the lesson on breeding and class but that means nothing for such a lightly raced horse when going up against the quality field he is likly to face in the BCC. He has raced twice in a year,a maiden race in Japan and a mediocre stakes in the U.S. He is a nice horse but is really up against it against the likes of Curlin and BB, not to mention CJ,Europians etc.

Never said BB and Commentator where not classy speed. I just don't think either can win the BCC if they both run. At least that's what I meant to say.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Householder — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:53:02 GMT

I think Lure dusted Arazi in his second BC mile turf win in 1:32 and change (new course record) and he NEVER gets HOY honors! What a shame. With the BC Classic this wide open, if BB, Culin, Go Between, or Commentator fails to win, it better go to ZENTATTA and not a third place finisher or worst yet, a horse that does not show up. She has danced every dance and is going to be tough to bet against at Santa Anita.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

HORSEWLD — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:08:47 GMT

All in all this comes down to ALOT of speculating no matter who you end up going with. I, myself won't set in stone any picks until we know for sure who will make it to the big dance. I respect [most] of everyone's opinions save for a couple here and there. Now here are a few opinions of my own.

Draynay- But for a few odds and ins I agree with you about the 3 year olds, having said that BB still has to prove that he is the best in the world at this point in time, and he is very capable. But Curlin still holds that place which may very well change at year's end.

Draynot and Schabelli- Don't forget that the 3 year olds that improve as they mature and some of the so called "weak ones" end up becoming giant slayers.

Slew.em.all- I disagree with you about Zenyatta and I beleive that having the BC 2 year old turf adds well needed international competitive flavor. But I do agree with you about Casino Drive and on racing surfaces. Dirt horses to dirt and turf horses to turf, and why not take the time to put in the money and effort on improving the quality of dirt surfaces. But I reckon we both will have to deal with synthetic for now.

Schabelli, Mike S and Mike M- Casino Drive is pure class, his breeding second to none, and his best has yet to be unleashed. Class, more than not, prevales regardless of how demanding the race might be. And I agree with Joan Cowin and Slew.em.all that CD is fresh and ready for a good performance.

Mike M.- BB and Commentator ARE front end class.

Householder and Matthew W.- Love your Zenyatta facts.

ZM- I agree with you that Zenyatta will be HOY with a win in the Distaff or [Classic] if BB or Curlin turns up performing poorly.

Slew.em.all, Fast Eddie, and mostly, you, GingerBoy- Zenyatta has already beat last years Distaff winner, Ginger Punch, as well as other top fillies and mares plus she is more phyically imposing with equal or better times than most any of the boys. Bottom line- She deserves her shot at the Classic.

Mike Relva- THANKS! I beleive that GingerBoy's mental clock must be broken.

Donna- I've always liked Pyro also and providing he likes the surface, will be a factor if he comes back into form.

I beleive that Commentator and BB will bring to much conflict to each other setting the race up for someone like Curlin, Casino Drive, even Go Between or one of the deep closers such as Pyro and none better than Zenyatta. But who knows until, like I said at first, we know for sure who makes it in.

None of us really do. We all just like to do alot of speculating. That's the fun thing to do in this Sport of Kings.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Eremein — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:26:16 GMT

I have only ever seen Henrythenavigator win races. He has an unbelievable crusing speed and a punishing finish. He is my pick for BC, i have a lot of respect for Curlin but its the navigator to plot his course straight to the wire !!!

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Billy D. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:46:21 GMT

I'm gonna do everyone a favor and give you the trifecta in the B.C. Classic, you ready.................Box Colonel John, Go Between and Commentator. I know this goes against logical thinking however I think Curlin isn't the horse he was at the end of last year and also toss B.B. aka 'Splotchy' the big dissapointment. I know it doesn't look right however when it comes in the number$ could be substantial?!?!?!?!? By the way don't thank me now!

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Householder — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:27:16 GMT

The ladies...I loved Bayakoa. She takes 8 of 9 graded races at age 5, picks up back to back BC Distaff wins, and at times was asked to carry as much as 127 pounds. The ladies are consistent. I was also there for her disappointing run against the boys in the Santa Anita Handicap. Zenyatta's trainer is doing it right.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Householder — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:05:09 GMT

Davisondad...Tiznow's second Breeder's Cup win against the Arc Winner Sakhee puts him in another league with the all time greats. I really like his boy Well Armed this year. He gets little respect at the windows but always runs well. He beat Heatseeker 2x this year and loves the synthetics. With the absense of Curin look for him to move up.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

Householder — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:46:03 GMT

BIGHORSEFAN.

The Swaps is an interesting race. I still remember Sunday Silence stopping in mid stretch at 1/5 although he did get beat by Prized who came back to take the BC Turf as a 3 year old. I think they are all just a little tired from the Triple Crown at that point in the year. I threw Col John's performance in the Swaps out.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

MikeM — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:13:32 GMT

Talk about running against nobody,Commentator ran against absolutly nobody. He would never get that trip in The BCC and Nick Zito should stay away from the BCC and opt for the BCM.

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

D in Las Vegas — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:12:47 GMT

If all of the above happens; Curlin goes to the BC, Zenyatta runs the classic instead of the Distaff, and Commentator runs well in the Mass H. (which he did & won easily) then thoes would be my top three.. followed by Mambo in Seattle who is a great closer then BB because honestly, I do not believe that his feet will hold up or that he's the 'amazing' horse everyone says he is. He will have more competition in this field then he has ever faced and won't stand up. Plus throw Casino Drive in the mix with Pyro, C.John, and Go Between & this is is going to be the most exciting lineup in years. Stick with the best: Curlin & Zenyatta (if she runs the classic) all the way

re: All of a Sudden, BC Classic Full of Intrigue

draynot — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:41:25 GMT

Nay,

I wouldn't even begin to compare the five you listed this year with the four from the previous year.

Street Sense got beat by Hard Spun and Curlin. Hard Spun got beaten by Street Sense and Curlin. Curlin got beaten by Street Sense and Hard Spun. Each of those 3 were superior at 3 to any of those you mentioned from this years class. Any Given Saturday on his best could give those 3 fits.

Big Brown (beaten by an allowance and maiden horse in his biggest race ever), Colonel John, Pyro, Visionaire, and Smooth Air have been beaten consistently all year by far less than last years 3 yr olds were.

To this point no comparison in the class of the two groups. Tick tock times running out. Maybe one of them can salvage some pride but not the class as a whole.