Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

JayJay — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:21:12 GMT

I see nothing's changed, Jason's still hatin' on cali and draynay still can't pick a winner. The thing is, cali horses travel to the east and dominates, I haven't heard any east coast horse travel to the west... them rockies must look really tough climbing over looking from the east coast side. Or maybe, just maybe, there's NOTHING over there in the east coast (could explain why Jason now hangs on to westcoast horses) :)

I'll come back again when Draynay hits a winner (that's almost like a life ban hmmm... )

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Footlick — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:58:26 GMT

Sidney's Candy actually reminds me of Precisionist. Let's hope he ends up being as good.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

SouthernChris — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:43:50 GMT

Touche to the first point.

You do have a bias for the East Coast (there's nothing wrong with that) that is obvious to anyone who has read your blog, again I didn't imply you have never praised California horses. I said the only reason you're praising Sidney's Candy as the most talented horse in the country is because now he's on the East Coast with Pletcher. Talent by definition is a special natural ability so prior to changing connections you should have been boasting about him being the most talented in the country (this year.) The competition for that title is the same then as it is now. Maybe you have an even older blog post saying as much.

Unless you have a magic crystal ball you don't know what WILL happen. He can never win a single race again or heaven forbid injure himself and never race again. Two Words: Quality Road, a good, solid campaign but no where near one for the ages like you and others "predicted."

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Brian Appleton — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:06:26 GMT

Every good trainer winds up getting good horses transferred into their barns at some point or another because high-profile owners want to see the best results in their horses, and are willing to switch trainers to get it.

Pletcher established himself as a good trainer without riding the coat tails of great trainers work. Rags To Riches and Uncle Mo are just two recent horses to prove he can help a horse win a championship season from the ground up.

I like Baffert as a trainer better, but both deserve credit where it is due.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Jason Shandler — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:15:43 GMT

Southern Chris: Here's a little tip: If you're going to call someone Einstein, try not to spell the word "lost" lossed. It makes a mockery of everything else you write.

Second, you most certainly did imply that I have a bias towards East Coast horses. Go back and re-read your first sentence.

Finally, the horse will have more success under Pletcher. End of story. I have no more time for this nonsense.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

SouthernChris — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:30:57 GMT

I never said or implied that you never praised any California horse before. I'm not talking about any other California horse other than Sidney's Candy so your prior opinions on Coil/Blind Luck/whoever else are irrelevant. I specifically pointing out how SC moves East and now he's the second coming in your opinion. I have no doubt if SC remained with his previous connections there would be no "Sidney's Candy is the most talented horse in the country."

And, Einstein, a horse that wins 50% of his races knows how to win just because he lossed some close ones doesn't negate that face he's won half of his career starts, has won on turf, dirt, and synthetic surfaces. As I pointed out it's not like his career mirrored First Dude, a talented horse who couldn't seem to find the winner's circle. Reading comprehension, get some.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Jason Shandler — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:48 GMT

Yeah Southern Chris, you're on to me. I've never "lavished praise" on any California horse before. That includes Coil, who I've written about extensively and Blind Luck, a filly that has actually traveled around the country to face top horses. And regarding Pletcher, he has surely never made lower level, mediocre, or top level horses better. There is no way that he can make Sidney Candy better, the same horse you claim "already knows how to win." For the record, Sidney's Candy has lost three races by a head or less. Sounds like there is room for improvement.

Youre right. Please continue hitting us with all your knowledge.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

SouthernChris — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:08:43 GMT

I suspect the only reason the blogger is lavishing praise on Sidney's Candy is because now he's on the East coast. Sidney's Candy has always been a freakishly fast and talented horse who knew how to win. It's not like Pletcher is inheriting a First Dude type of horse. With horses like SC one pretty much only has to keep them healthy, happy, and fit and they'll do the rest. Not trying to knock Pletcher, he's obviously good at what he does, but in the event Sidney wins some major East Coast races it would be Rachel Alexander/Steve Asmussen 2.0. A high profile trainer inheriting a superb horse who's already shown how awesome and talented they are prior to the high profile trainer.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Guiness — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:53:56 GMT

Jason, Can you tell me is Big Brown back in the states now or is he still in Australia?

Can someone enlighten me on this?

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Paula Higgins — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:28:28 GMT

Bob from Boston/Ted from LA please don't ever stop posting here. You are one of the funniest people on the planet. As for Jersey Shore (my niece had it one one night), I have never seen a dumber, more vacuous, more annoying bunch of kids in my life. It should be illegal to be that stupid and shallow. So, I will mail you my mint julep glass.....and a hammer.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Jason Shandler — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:17:57 GMT

I only like the Lakers when they play the Celtics but I do love Cali. Not my fault the racing is inferior :)

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Mary Zinke — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:40:03 GMT

Mr.Shandler is 100% correct about Sidney's Candy. His Fourstardave win was no effort to him. He could have turned on that burst of speed anytime. Take a look at his La Jolla from last summer. That is how a front-running turf horse should look I could watch that race a million times and be thrilled at each viewing. Now that Sidney's Candy is an East coast horse, but with West coast roots, no one can complain, but yet they do. Why? Afraid of some speed? Love, love, love the Candy boys, but my favorite is Sidney's Candy the new millionaire. He's no slouch on dirt or syn, either, but so gorgeous on turf!

DD, girl friend, where do we find Whitney picks to steal?

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Carlos in Cali — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:39:37 GMT

Sparney,

Let me clarify: Jason dislikes all bloggers from CA.(especially jayjay) because Zenyatta was based here.The only things he likes about Cali is the Lakers,weather,Cougars with stab wounds & multiple personalities and streaking down Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena chasing RuPaul.

Odd?..yes! But,you've been warned.

Am I right on the money or what Jason?..

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Mike Relva — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:03:21 GMT

NEHF

Don't you get it,some believes he's God. I don't.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Mike Relva — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 19:00:43 GMT

Pretty certain SC was already established prior to entering the royal barn of Pletcher.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

LAZMANNICK — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:23:23 GMT

Draynay

Rail Trip will throw a screw into your DD or should I say Dunh Dunh.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Draynay — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:56:49 GMT

Tubo Decent and Flat Out DD !!!

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Sparney — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:25:08 GMT

Jason,

I've always loved Sid the Kid and Sadler. CA guy here who just got into racing 3 years ago. (Had the tri in the 2008 Classic... first race ever. $3 tri also.) So let's just say it's been all downhill from there.

Keep on fighting the good fight for us CA guys. We get ZERO respect. Also, keep an eye on Burns.... 2nd in the Oceanside on opening day. And was coming strong after Mr. Commons.

Thanks buddy.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

It aint easy being good! — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:12:09 GMT

Pletcher is so overrated I dont know why you guys like him so much. Bob Baffert owns Pletcher and everyone else right now. BB is on a roll! Having said that I also like Sidneys Candy he is a horse that has run on 3 different surfaces and has won on all of them. He is alot better on Turf then dirt though. I think SC would best be served in a turf sprint around 6 or 7f.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Jason Shandler — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:56:57 GMT

NEHF: Let's see how the rest of Sidney's Candy's career goes under Pletcher. As for his stats, what did you find?

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Smoking Baby — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:46:20 GMT

I'm not really responding to anyone's specific post, I just want to try to make a point. Pletcher can train. Make no mistake, you don't get to that level much less remain there without having some game. I've read that he can instantly recall little details about every horse in his care whether it's Uncle Mo or some lesser known horse. Like him or don't like him. That is each individual's own choice. Myself, I don't like him necessarily as much as some others do, but saying the dude's not a good trainer is like saying Kobe Bryant isn't a good basketball player. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

NEHF — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:15:40 GMT

Dear Jason Shandler, I looked up pletchers stats and it still shows he should have been the one to get the fine for racing an unfit horse. Yes Jason the horse was unfit according to the judges that fined the JOCKEY not the trainer that entered him unfit. Pletcher entered that horse and Pletcher should be the responsible party. Look at what Pletcher did for the Kentucky derby. No way the field should have been 19 horses. Pletcher ROBBED another horse and trainer of they're rightful opportunity to have run in the 2011 Kentucky derby and yes somehow I still feel turning a 22 second quarter horse into a 25 second quarter horse is a bit backward. GET OFF THE TODD PLETCHER GLORY TRAIN

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Bob from Boston — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:43:17 GMT

John from Seattle,

Welcome to my blog. I see you came out swinging at my assistant Jason. Be careful. Jason will rope-a-dope you into submission (usually on Preakness weekend). Take on Draynay and work your way up the ladder to Dr. D and then Ted from LA, mz, trackjack (Road to the Roses Champion trackjack from THE Ohio State I might add) and Single in LA. Never enter the ring with Paula Higgins. She will beat you to death with a mint julep glass. I like your pseudonym. Bob/Ted from Boston/LA respect that. Who is your favorite horse running right now? Again, welcome. If you've been here for years, I apologize. I really only read my own posts. My #1 goal in life is to be the first poster on each of these blogs. As you can see, I have been hugely successful. My #2 goal is to punch Mario Lopez or any member of the cast from Jersey Shore in the head with Paula's mint julep glass, and I am a pacifist... prone to violence.

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Ranagulzion — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:52:48 GMT

Sidney's Candy looks poised to fulfill the promise he showed as a 3YO before he flopped in the slop of the Kentucky Derby 2010. He was hampered by unsoundness in the past but at his very best he carries his intimidating early speed a long way and kicks hard up the lane. With Storm Cat close up in his pedigree, his stamina for 10 furlongs may be suspect but last year not many people guessed that Haynesfield (son of Speightstown) could carry his speed successfully in the JCGC. Sidney's Candy will be more devastating than Haynesfield if his connections have the courage to send him 10 Furlongs. A victory there would set him up for HOTY honours and he could then go on to meet 'Goldi' for a rematch in the Turf mile without jeopardising his HOTY claim by opting out of the BCC. The upcoming Whitney will tell us a lot abouit his main rival Tizway (this one is an absolute beast this year).

re: Sidney's Candy Will be a Second-Half Force

Racingfan — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:56:17 GMT

Hey Dray: I took the time to look up the results of your sure thing: Al Mudeer was fourth. Sure hope Jason didn't bet the house.....LOL