Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Laura — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:02:46 GMT

I'm thrilled Graham Motion is getting the attention he deserves. I've long thought he is vastly underrated and underappreciated. I can say he and his entire staff are tremendous people. I've visited their barn several times and each time they welcome fans with open arms. What a great group of people! Congrats on another big win for them over the weekend.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Coldfacts — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:40:16 GMT

McGuane,

I am not sure what language you speak but it could not be English if you submitted a such a statement.

You have clearly not comprehended the context of my post. I suggest you revisit same.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

McGuane — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:04:17 GMT

Coldfacts

It appears the Graham Motion knows a lot more about training and racing than you.

He's an understated soft spoken kind of a guy and apparently fear is NOT a factor for him or Toby.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Coldfacts — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:41:59 GMT

Moodygirl,

Many thanks for your comments they have been noted. I always seem to anger some of Steve’s supporters and might have a short window remaining for submissions. Now to address some of the point you raised.

“Coldfacts, what do you really know about being a "true professional" horse trainer?”

A lot! I had 8 trainers during my first life in which I owned and raced thoroughbreds. You have clearly misunderstood the point I was making. When trainers make certain comments one does not have to be overly knowledgeable to recognize how either silly ofrillogical they are. Let me give you an example before I continue on Mr. Motion. Trainer Todd Pletcher commented after Dunkirk’s loss to Quality Road in the Florida Derby that if he had known they were going to make the track so fast he would have gone elsewhere. If Dunkirk had won the race would he have made such a comment? No! I considered his statement then lacking in professionalism as he was indirectly accusing the Gulfstream maintenance crew of speeding up the track for the big day thus giving some horses an advantage. The trainers of the horses that finished behind Dunkrik took their loss like processionals and did not whine. It is Ironic that a year later Quality Roar under his keep and care of Mr. Pletcher set a NTR at the same location and there was no talk of the track being excessively fast.

Trainer do make illogical comments and Mr. Motion made one such when he stated “And I have no desire to run against Uncle Mo” would he have said that about either The Factor or Premier Pegasus whose speed figures are comparable to those of Uncle Mo?

“Determining when the horse is ready to meet Uncle Mo qualifies as thoughtful, not fear’

Madam the derby does not start and end with Uncle Mo in spite of his past performance. He is not the standard by which all thoroughbreds are judged. He will not be the only horse in the either the Wood or Kentucky Derby. A horse that in not ready to perform at a G1 level is likely to get hurt even if the field excludes the likes of Uncle Mo. A trainer job is to get the horses under his keep and care fit and ready to run against all opponents. Where places them is his choice but do not make comments exposing fear of other horse as it’s not the professional thing to do. Mr. Motion could have given Uncle Mo credit for being an exceptional talent whom he is willing to take on at a later date. To state he has no desire to run against Uncle Mo come over as defeatist. Its horse race and anything can happen. Why should Mr. Motion confine his lack of desire to run against Uncle Mo to the Wood if he is trying to get the particular colt to the derby?

“Wining enough $ to get in the KY Derby is also a valid strategy in planning races”

The runner up purse in the wood is $200,000

Let me restate there is no place for fear in thoroughbred racing and trainer must aspire to do what is perceived to be impossible. This is what distinguishes the great one from the average.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:30:01 GMT

Correction, Premier Pegasus ran his last 2 1/2 furlongs. My mistake for typing in a hurry.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

moodygirl — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 06:03:23 GMT

Coldfacts, what do you really know about being a "true professional" horse trainer? I'm not a trainer & don't know as much as lot of people here; BUT I know that a good trainer has to weigh all the options for a horse & what is best for them. Timing and determining when you try to peak a horse is considered. Determining when the horse is ready to meet Uncle Mo qualifies as thoughtful, not fear. Wining enough $ to get in the KY Derby is also a valid strategy in planning races. Sometimes it is time to stretch & test a horse's talent while another time the priority may be set the horse up to win. I don't think it has anything to do with fear on the train's part. I would like to see horses raced more frequently as they were in the past.

And regarding Dialed In & his FL Derby win, he did not do well in his previous race but that race was part of his trainer's strategy. (I hope I have this right, & I am sure someone will correct me if I am mixed up on the horse). They wanted him to face adverse conditions & get used to running with dirt flung in his face, which payed off in FL.

BTW watching Dialed In and Shackleford battle in the home stretch, it was obvious what a smooth effortless stride Dialed In possessed, far superior to Shackleford who was running on heart, scrambling with all he had. He actually reminded me of a canine running all out. No disrespect intended! It was just my thought at the time. The contrast was just so significant. It was a valiant effort but he is not the superior horse even though he only lost by a nose.

And last of all Stud Book Facts, focusing on just the sire line is a poor way to evaluate a pedigree.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Forbidden Apple — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:33:55 GMT

jon,

Shackleford did not know what his odds were, all he did was run hard. Dialed In finished fast and will fall in love with the KY Derby distance.

Why bother posting here when you do zero research before opening your mouth? Premier Pegasus ran his last 1 1/2 furlongs in 31 plus, not his last furlong. Wake up!

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

JOE — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:12:35 GMT

I THINK WE CAN FINALLY DISPELL THE MYTHS OF ELITE ALEX AND NICANOR AFTER THE LAST PERFORMANCES. LOVE THAT R HEAT LIGHTNING!

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Chicago Rick — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:32:45 GMT

Did I read correctly that Churchill Downs extended the futures pool 5 minutes so people could bet after the Florida Derby? How about the poeple that took the risk and bet Dialed In before the race expecting the pool to be closed? All bets made after 4:59:59 should be refunded and the odds should be adjusted.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Marilyn — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:21:53 GMT

Great article about a great trainer and a great guy. Graham is a very laid back guy and I am so glad he is finally getting the attention he deserves.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

lucky jim 31 — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:58:40 GMT

Good article Steve.Was a fav of mine from delaware and also reread your article of feb 8 leaving training to trainers where shackleford lineage was outlined and it gave me reason to think hes a player in the derby.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Bill Daly — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:26:26 GMT

Glad you mentioned Bernie Bond in the article. I often wonder what Cure The Blues would have amounted to had Bernie continued to train the horse into his 3 yr. old season. Not sure, but I think Graham Motion was on Bernie's staff when he had the horse. What a monster he was at 2! Unfortunately, I think that Bernie's health problems started to mount and he couldn't handle the rigors of the Derby trail. The horse was turned over to Leroy Jolley by the Firestones and didn't exactly thrive under his care. CTB was a pretty high strung horse which really hindered in chances in classic races. As I recall, even the great Bill Shoemaker couldn't get him to relax in the Derby and he ran off the board - an effort that didn't come close to approximating the horse's ability. That was some team Bernie had back then when Graham Motion and Adrian Rolls were with him. It's just a shame that the Firestones didn't leave CTB with Bernie & Co.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

furlongs — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:22:13 GMT

Kathmanblu is a turfer simple as that. In no way is her dirt races better then her turf races. I wouldn't bet her with stolen money in the Ky Oaks. Much less the Ashland to be honest.

Good luck at the windows everyone...

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Coldfacts — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:23:32 GMT

Steve,

I was enjoying the story about Graham Motion until I got the part where he said “And I have no desire to run against Uncle Mo” Why must trainer make those type of comments that make them sound silly? He is deliberating options to secure graded earning to run in the derby where Uncle Mo will start as the favorite. By extension he should have no desire to run against Uncle Mo in the derby as well. Does he expect a different Uncle Mo on the 1st Saturday in May? If I were an owner thinking of using the services of Mr. Motion, his aforementioned illogical statement would disqualify him. Trainers are required to prepare their charges to the best of their abilities and sent them to do battle. His statement suggest he has conceded victory Uncle Mo and consequently accepted defeat before the race is even run. True professional do not take adopt those attitudes and approaches. How many horses that Uuncle Mo has defeated have dropped dead? Horse are not afraid of horse and anything can happen in a race. The 60-1 Shackleford almost won the FL Derby. Monarchos made what still remains one of the most devastating moves in the FL Derby and passed his opponents like they were glued to the ground. He went to the Wood and got beat. Secretariat lost his effort in the wood. Mr. Motion and all other like minded trainer should not start their charges in the derby if they are afraid of a particular of horse. There is no place for fear in thoroughbred racing and trainer must aspire to do what is perceived to be impossible. This is what distinguishes the greats from the average. Mr. Motion has not distinguished himself with his utterly illogical statement.

Animal Kingdom should not be place in the derby and Mr. Motion should know this. Probably he is too busy being fearful of Uncle Mo. The mile split of 1:38.96 for 2011 Lane End/Spiral was the slowest in the last 5YRS.By extension the final time of 1:52.32 was also the slowest. The final 3F of the Spiral were completed in 39.75. The last 3F in the 2010 Lanes End were completed in 37.91. This derby is about speed and those figures are not going to get the job done.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Zenyatta John — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:39:29 GMT

Gotta love how Steve answers one question on the Oaks - and BOOM - this is an Oaks blog. Most serious gamblers don't even look at the Oaks till the day before.

Jon - R Heat Lightning would be lucky to win the Oaks - and talk of her in the Derby is just silly. She blossomed on the Gulfstream speedway - whoopdy do....

I've been a fan of Mr Motion for many years as Saratoga has been one of the places he races in the summer.

Team Valor is building their own barn at Fair Hill - I hope Graham has a long and positive relationship with Team Valor and wins a lot of races along the way.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Deltalady — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:03:36 GMT

I love all of the Dialed In detractors! Don't want to start a food fight, but, they said a lot of the same things about Zenyatta, and he runs a lot like she did, last to first style. And, he's so much fun to watch! As they say, you dance with who brung ya, and whoever shows up is who you race against! They also used to make fun of Seattle Slew...he had a funny leg, he was ill-bred, he somehow slipped in to win the TC, and like Rodney Dangerfield, he couldn't get any respect! Well, yeah, now everyone wants to have some of Slew's blood! I'm still fairly new back to the sport, but really, it is amazing how many jaded people there are who continue to try to advance their points from a negative perspective, tearing down horses and implying if you like a certain horse you are somehow mentally deficient! Life must be dull and colorless for people like that...stop trying to instruct us and say why you like a particular horse, not why you don't like a bunch of others. It really gets old and boring fast.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Matthew W — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:59:00 GMT

Premier Pegasus is no joke! I saw him in the Prevue at Hollywood--he broke fast, gathered easily (and that is key!), then he rebroke--sure he had pace in front of him in the San Felipe--but that wasn't his fault, and he did what the other off the pace types did not do--I'm not sure of that :31 and change 5/16's, not sure if he actually ran that slow--he surely did not look slow to me, but then again I've only been in this game for forty years--it's horse racing, where you're bound to be right once in a while, I'll go this far: Premier Pegasus is no joke--and leave it at that! At least we know he has speed, and he can/and will rate back off a fast pace--in that respect Premier Pegasus is ahead of many of the other contenders....

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Don from PA/DE — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:20:34 GMT

Nice write up Steven about a really nice and bright trainer GM, I have seen him many times at Delaware Park and respected him, was a bit surprised though (unless I missed it) no mention of that other (a bit eccentric to say the least) wizard from across the pond, Mr. Dickinson, also has/had a nice training farm near by in MD, with him Tapit and others live on as well....Don

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Michael — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:16:31 GMT

Congratulations Matthew. Hudson Steele actually cost me the Pick 6. I had 5 out of 6 and he was the one I missed!

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Matthew W — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:09:21 GMT

Haven't heard nuch about Zazu (not sure how you spell it), but she's my Oaks futures bet--she'll have to be all that to handle R Heat Lightning, though....

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Liz Jamieson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:53:41 GMT

I think that Summer Soiree and Kathmanblu will be tough in the Kentucky Oaks

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Mary Zinke — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:54:35 GMT

Matthew W, Dialed In does look grey bacause he's always filthy dirty coming from way behind to win. He's dark bay/brown.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Smoking Baby — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:01:39 GMT

Mathew W. HAH!!! GREAT story. Thanks for sharing. Too funny. Hey, whatever works bro. A winner's a winner. Good job.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

Stud Book Facts. — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:54:05 GMT

I hate to spoil someone's dream, but DIALED IN can't win the Kentucky Derby, as he descends from the most obscure TB family in the stud book.

Although two and a half centuries ago it did produce the mighty Bay Bolton, but that's a long time ago.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Man in Motion

anna — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:35:56 GMT

kathmanblu has been the most impressive filly running this yr, but arienza has the best pedigree out of any 3yr old this yr. i mean she's the only 3yr old racing this yr who is out of a horse of the year mare, though her pedigree is only topped by her older half brtoher take control who is by a hoty and out of a hoty, but he hasn't raced since december 2009.