Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Householder — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:04:18 GMT

103 in Seattle! Wow. I guess this would kill the grass.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Householder — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:01:15 GMT

Well Armed...Thanks to all who updated me. I've been without internet access all summer. Love this horse (even more after he almost stole the PC last year at double digit odds) and have seen him a couple of times up close (San Diego H 2008/Goodwood H). Let's hear it for geldings who want to run! (I kind of knew something was wrong in this year's San Diego). He has come back from far worse (fractured hip coming out of anestesia). So I'm sure he will bounce back.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Greg J. — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:35:54 GMT

Well Said Tim....

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Tim G — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:55:11 GMT

We got it that you don't like him.

However, no need to name call because truthfully he's probably as, or more popular with the fans that we need to attract to the game, as any other horse right now.

It was on national news about his surgery.

What do you think made BB so well known? His victory in the Derby because THAT is the race that draws the celebrities (a lot of B listers but also a lot of A listers) and THAT is the race that gets the attention of the public. Like another blog said, people love the closer, people love the underdog or the average guy who can win that race.

Why on earth would anyone who supposedly LOVES the game try to demean or minimize the VERY horse that gives us some prominence and the spotlight? Not that any legitimate horseman would listen to your opinion, but it bothers me because a casual reader or someone just taking a look at the blogs to see how interesting the game is, would be turned off by it and think you actually matter in your opinion. That and the fact that you were spewing b.s. on Steve's blog as a kinder gentler Dray having an Obama moment (whatever that meant).

Rachel? Ask the casual fan, or the guys who watch ESPN and glance at horse racing. They Know the DERBY winner and THAT IS IT. THAT is what all of us in the game have problems with. Getting this game past the DERBY. But we haven't, so why not promote the Derby winner?

Big Brown wasn't my favorite Derby winner, have some reasons for that unrelated to the connections, didn't demean him or call him names. Fact is no one in the game really did that because he brought attention to the sport. We just tried to distance ourselves from his trainer. The public sees trainers like Dutrow and Asmussen as drugging ALL their horses. Not true, but that is the way it's perceived by the public.

So just don't refer to him at all. Ignore him, don't talk about him, that is what most mature people do when not overly fond of a horse.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Draynay — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:27:43 GMT

Tim I have explained it 100 times. I don't care for Mine That Third at all. There are a few horses I just don't like or care for and he is one of them. I don't believe he is a G1 horse and so far every race other than the one he ran in the muck seems to prove that.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Tim G — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:23:21 GMT

Dray, no nothing much to do today.Dark day on my vac in Saratoga. When not on Vacation I have Wednesday afternoons off, if I don't have an emergency pop up and am on call. We did have dinner after the races last night and did a little shopping and lunch earlier. But thanks for asking. :-)

What my point is, the way you vacillate constantly. You said multiple times no way QR was going in the Travers and now you say it'll be a heck of a race between him and Kensei. So either Kensei is going in The Woodward,where you said you though QR would go or you were once again just throwing off the wall statements out there.

MUCH like your off the wall statements about MTB and your proclamations of LOVING the game SOOOOOOO much, like:"What I do know is most of us here have a love for the sport and want nothing more than the sport to prosper and do well. I think its time we talk more about that and what we can do to make the sport better than spending out time fighting about which horse is the best or which one is better.

Draynay 14 Aug 2009 3:16 PM"

If continually calling MTB names is doing what's in the best interest of the game? LOL.

Do we really know what went on with MTB? Do you know what a trapped epiglottis is? As minor as holding their breath during a race, horses do that once in a while and it's nothing, sometimes it's a trapped epiglottis. All of that aside it's still not upholding your new standard to badmouth the horse.

Now you're so positive RA's running in the Woodward?

Steve himself said if she doesn't run in the Alabama she'll continue training up to here next start at Saratoga, just like she did for the Haskell. Now pair that with the rumors flying around here and it sounds like the Alabama or the Penn Derby. But since none of us are on Jess' consult list (for racing anyway) how do YOU who isn't even connected with racing know this?

A round of golf sounds good, maybe a stroll or something.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

ABZ — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:02:13 GMT

I just spoke with someone in the Rachel Alexandra camp. This person is not a decision maker, but it is their belief that the Woodward will be her next race. The main reason why is Kensei. No big news, but interesting from an insider.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

LDP — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:01:54 GMT

Just was on NTRA and saw the artical about the NTRA. I was thinking that if everyone ends up saying yes to this deal, what i would do is go in, actually the Alabama. She may meet up with Gossip Girl, who i remember some on these blogs as say she was even better than RA, so 1 1/4 against her would not be lacking in excitement. I myself think it would be a good race because it can be also like a test drive on how she will handle that distance, instead of just throwing her into a very hottly contested Travers, after she has faced many of the top colts already and beaten them in the 2 times she's gone against them. After that, if she performed like her normal self i would drop back to 8.5 furlongs in the Ruffian at Belmont as a prep against older fillies and mares and to just to kind of get her re-aclimated to her surroundings again. Now personally i wish NYRA would make this get togeather in the Gold Cup because for one they wouldn't have to boost the purse since it's 1mil already, and because you will have the top older horses, and 3yr old stars such as QR, SB, and MTB, along with RA and the Zen match up. Who wouldn't want to see that race? Also if i were JJ i would be torn to race Zen or go for that 1 1/4 against a fit QR, and a rematch against both SB and MTB. That race would be my choice over the Beldame, even if Zenyatta was in it. You all can tell me what you think of this kind of schedule, but be reminded this is only my take on thing and my opinion.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Greg J. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:31:06 GMT

"Sea the Stars" is one hell of a horse! Looked Mastercraftsman in the eye and flew by, Won by maybe a length and a Half, No problem at all, Very Impressive....

Went off at 1-5, Mastercraftsman at 5-2, Thank God I wasn't stupid, lol...

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Greg J. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:12:31 GMT

Let's See, 15 minutes to post, "Sea the Stars" at 1-9, Mastercraftsman at 20-1, In a four horse field? If Mastercraftsman stays at 15-1 or more, I will taka a chance with $100 to win on him!, Worth the shot?, Probably not, But it will just keep my streak going in the last week of crazy picks, But, I am still playing with free money, lol......

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Tim G — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:03:19 GMT

Actually the Alabama is 1 1/4 who knows if they want any part of that?

Rumor around the track is they are looking at the Penn Derby 1 1/8.

Seems like all the mystery around the filly is gamesmanship, not sportsmanship. Just say where you're going already alright.

(see Vic Z's post from today)

Quite a few echo the earlier blog by Vic Z when he commented about any horse using The Spa as a training track when 1700 horses weren't alloted stalls. Like he said, sure maybe the pub for her workouts were worthwhile, but probably are getting less so. As he also said "trainers that believe they deserve special treatment are a nuisance, especially in light of Saratoga’s incentive-based purse structure." Those taking up stalls with no intention of running are hurting the purse structure.

Make up your mind, give the track a chance to publicize if she is running at the meet. If she isn't? Send her to wherever she is running to train. My thinking is she'd be wherever Scott is. Time for that boy to go out on his own.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Draynay — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:50:16 GMT

Tim, what a bunch of garbage. Do you have nothing to do ? I never said Kensei is running in anything but the Travers and EVERYONE is convinced Quality Road is going to the Travers. I am not sold until the gate opens. Rachel is off to the Woodward and if I was Pletcher I would follow her. Mind That Third is having surgery due to a recent problem. No one is suggesting he had any breathing problems in his last race. That is you looking for an excuse for him. But I guess you have nothing to do so you just keep making things up.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

ABZ — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:58:57 GMT

FYI Racefans, Sea the Stars will run this morning in the Juddmonte International at 1 1/4. It is only a five horse race, but he is facing a top 3-year-old miler, Mastercraftsman, coming off two Group I wins and a good handicap horse, Tartan Bearer, who just ran 2nd to Conduit. Many of the U.S. simulcast hubs & online betting sites will show the race from York (England) at approximately 10:25 AM Eastern.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

silverscrngirl — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:18:10 GMT

Householder:

The infield at Emerald Downs is pretty brown, but I have proof it is green lol!!

Here it is towards the begining of the season.(maddog78.deviantart.com/.../FSN-Handicap-down-the-backside-123938529)

We are in a drought, it happens every three years according to the news. I looked back and my photo of the 2006 Longacres Mile and it shows a brown infield, so maybe this 3 year thing is true.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

StardustyRose — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:57:12 GMT

Householder..

Emerald Downs is a pretty low class race track. It is like way at the bottom for ratings. Not very good. Seattle is beautiful but the tracks in Oregon and Washington are pretty busted up.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

berttheclock — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:13:32 GMT

Yes, Householder - Kat said it best about the drought in the PNW. However, the green you should have seen, even if they spray painted it as they golf courses in the area, was a turf course. King Crockett has refused to put one in from day one at Emerald. It hurts the turf bred Washington breds, who have to go south to either the bay or So Cal to race on turf. It would also help training with the dirt to turf to dirt angle. Good leg ups. But, Nooooo

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Greg J. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:56:21 GMT

Tim G.,

Thank You!, I thought I was the only one to see through Dray's sudden change of heart over on Steve's Blog, What a farce! I honestly wish that was the true Draynay, But, Please, How can one say this:

"I doubt if anyone cares that Zenyatta could go undefeated. The path she took was the easy path and now she is little more than a state champion."

Draynay 24 Jul 2009 1:30 PM

THEN, Say this:

I would love to see her retire undefeated and take her place as one of the greatest fillies ever. As a FAN why would I want anything else for Zenyatta, her connections and HER millions of young fans.

Draynay 13 Aug 2009 7:29 PM

I have to laugh, lol....

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

sherpa — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:36:57 GMT

Dray, you may have posted what seemed a fair comment about Zenyatta on Steve's blog and deceived some people, but you have proven yourself an unredeemed MTB detractor in your 5:02 comment here. I didn't trust you about Zenyatta -- you're afraid of her as regards RA, aren't you? -- and you have proven here that your comments are undeserving of trust by any true lover of horses.

Bird is a classic "closer" in the style being discussed elsewhere in these BH blogs; but you will not give him any credit for a running style that is like that of so many greats of racing. Many of us find that style the most exciting - not winning by 15-20 lengths at the front: winning by the same margin FROM THE BACK. Now THAT is a real horse-race! The Closers don't always Win, but they invariably make it a race to the wire for the eventual winner.

You know, there's an old idom: "if you can't say something nice about a horse, don't say anything." Could you spare the board your snide remarks and just shut up, please?

That said.

My favorite winner over the weekend was Telling. That horse totally loved the 1.5 miles and came into his own. What a thrilling race that was! He stayed with the front-running group and still had plenty left to show the big guys coming from behind. Loved them all, but Telling earned that win in no uncertain terms. That was the best Endurance race I've seen this this year.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

LAZMANNICK — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:37:00 GMT

Householder

I heard that Well Armed suffered a bone chip. There were a few articles about it and that seems to account for his dismal showing.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Tim G — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:22:53 GMT

Householder, WOW

Not too up to date?

Well Armed came out of the SD with an ankle chip, surgery was announced about 10 days ago.

He will miss the PC and probably the BC. A hard luck guy for sure, seems to be injury prone and in weird ways.

Dray, Kensei is running in the Woodward?? Thought Todd was speaking to you in your head and said QR wasn't going to the Travers?

" know Pletcher is still saying Quality Road is going to the Travers but I am not buying it until the gate opens. He will follow Rachel to the Woodward. Who takes a horse from 6 1/2 to 1 1/4 ?

Draynay 08 Aug 2009 8:37 PM"

So now QR AND Kensei are BOTH running in the Woodward? Steve’s voice has joined the chorus?

"Quality Road with a 113 workout... very nice. Should be a heck of a race between him and Kensei.

Draynay 17 Aug 2009 12:22 AM"

So that means RA is running in the weak Alabama? 3 yo fillies at 1 1/8(hmmm). Well she was nominated.

Why is Steve saying they're considering all races and will nominate the filly to the Penn Derby? A softer spot for her?

Knew a kinder, gentler Dray on Steve's blog was bogus and only to get him to let you write on there.

MTB has an entrapped epiglottis, explains a lot. Since it can be intermittent and doesn't cause the horse to breathe noisily but cough violently at the end of exercise, he might have had a situation which resolved itself, was intermittent and became permanent at some point (his workout).

This is the only horse who has been close to Rachel in the last few races, how dangerous and arrogant to overlook him.

Last I heard the reason they still run races is to see who can beat who and never say never.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Greg J. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:21:43 GMT

Householder,

"Well Armed" was found to have a small chip in his left front ankle after the San Diego Handicap and underwent surgery last week.

Also, I just found out that a horse I really like, "Magical Affair", out of Chiefswood Stable’s and trained by Michael Matz, She suffered a condylar fracture in her right front leg and was treated at the Saratoga Equine Veterinary Hospital. She got injured Friday following a five-furlong workout at Saratoga. She is out for the year and I really hope she heals well.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Kat — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:20 GMT

Yes, Householder, there has been a record setting dry spell here in the Pac NW. We had the first substantial rain last week since late May/early June. Two weeks ago it was 106 degrees in Seattle (113 at my place)!

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Tiznowbaby — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:41:37 GMT

Householder, Well Armed had an ankle chip removed following the San Diego.

Colonel John is pointing to the Pac Classic.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

silverscrngirl — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:14:01 GMT

Longacres Mile was great, especially since my fave Assessment took it:) Won my win/place/show and my trifecta on that race!!! Can not believe that Atta Boy Roy was running that fast and faded out. Poor Wasserman, that speedy track is not treating his closing ways well at all. Also Elusive Horizon being 100% around two turns winning the Emerald Distaff was fun to watch, she is on a roll.

re: Weekend Analysis and Selections for Aug. 15-16

Householder — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:45:54 GMT

Emerald Downs? Good grief...the infield lawn was brown. What is there a drought there or something?