Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

lunar spook — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:14:08 GMT

We will never have a true world champion , too many factors , the euro horses run better on turf , the us horses wont make the trip to ireland or england , left handed vs. right handed tracks , distances , surfaces , money issues , well you get the picture ! But if you were to twist my arm id say all things being equal , frankel and camelot are the cream of the crop !

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Age of Reason — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:12:40 GMT

I wholeheartedly second you on both points, Paula. My thoughts and prayers are with the Baffert family, and regardless of whether or not one agrees with any number of Baffert's practices he remains among the most likable personalities in all of sport. The thought has occurred to me more than once that one Pyers might perhaps be the internet incarnation of John McCririck--the blowhard British buffoon whose last American appearance (as I recall) was to jump in front of ESPN's cameras shortly before BC Classic post time and declare that betting on Zenyatta was "throwing your money away". Might that serve as a reminder to our dear friends overseas that America can produce superstars with the best of 'em...

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Greg R — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:04:11 GMT

The Breeder's Cup is the closest thing we have to a world championship, even if that can never be official. What else comes close? Dubai World Cup day was on its way, but they derailed themselves by switching to Tapeta at Meydan. Hardly any top U.S. handicap types will go there from now on. Cigar wouldn't have, Pleasantly Perfect, Roses in May, etc. Now they are an Old World festival, almost exclusively......which is fine if that's all they want.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Paula Higgins — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 03:03:08 GMT

Very sorry to hear about Bob Baffert's father. Nice comments on Bob's father, an ole railbird. I hope Bob Baffert reads them. He has had a great year on the track, but a very tough year personally.

Yes, Paynter is doing very well. I will say it again, his vet. and the Zayats should get some kind of an recognition at the Eclipse Awards. They were superhuman in their efforts to save him.

Steve, I don't take Mr. Pyers seriously. I can remember when everyone was saying the British horses were "the class of the field" when they ran against Zenyatta. Uh huh.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Steve Haskin — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:54:58 GMT

Linda and Age of Reason, Mr. Pyers, who took his name after a former jockey who rode Dahlia numerous times, is a Brit with a chip on his shoulder. He can say whatever he likes as long as its within the boundaries of good taste. But I wouldnt take comments like that too seriously.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Linda in Texas — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 22:39:34 GMT

billpyers - and Mr. Haskin has a lot of company.

It is as much a World Championship as any race run on any track that draws world renowned horses.

Maybe i mis read the intent of your post. I am hoping so.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 22:33:09 GMT

Linda in Texas,

No wonder we like Game On Dude so much, he too, like Paynter, is by Awesome Again. I just realized by perusing pedigrees lately they are by the same sire. If Paynter wins this fight and G.O.D. wins the Classic, Awesome Again should be one hot sire.

Such great news about Paynter. He's grazing outside, getting some play time, and walking comfortably with a promising future of maybe racing again. What an unbelievably strong colt this is. And how incredible is the power of prayer! PowerUpPaynter!

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 22:25:14 GMT

Greg R,

I totally agree with you. It is hard to believe Animal Kingdom could be ready to compete at a BC Classic level. It's scary and I don't want him in Dubai for sure. Yes, please Mr. Irwin keep him racing here and don't put him through all that shipping trauma. I can't choose between Animal Kingdom and G.O.D. if they face each other in the Classic. I love Animal Kingdom but G.O.D. is so deserving of a Classic win too.

Ole Railbird,

Agreed. I don't blame Baffert either for the jockey change but it's iffy. Nice tribute from you to Baffert's father. And I think you are right, Baffert is personable, can manage a huge budget, is successful and not a bad presidential candidate at that.

My condolences to his family as well on the loss of his father.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Age of Reason — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:56:17 GMT

Billpyers has this delusion that his comments are in some way relevant. They aren't.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

billpyers — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:19:18 GMT

Mr Haskin has this delusion that the Breeder's Cup is some sort of World Championship. It isn't.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

an ole railbird — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:10:30 GMT

my condolences to the baffert family, on the lose of mr bill baffert. he was one of the last of the breed, of his era. his hand shake was better than a contract. and he was a excellent judge of horse flesh.

the men of those times (like him) are truly missed, by those of us who had dealings with them.

rest in peace mr. bill baffert.

I remain, "an ole railbird".

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

an ole railbird — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:00:45 GMT

you cant blame bullet bob for replaceing chantal with bajarano.

not after the ride she put(or didnt put), on g.o.d. last out.

the only difference between her ride & a trained monkeys ride, was , a trained monkey wouldnt have been thinking " what will i say on face book".

bajarano has the hot hand right now& bullett bob has a lot of faith in him.

i personally am lookin forward to the classic. it will be a good gambleing race.

bob baffert for president. he could win that race too.

i remain "an ole railbird"

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

lunar spook — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:47:35 GMT

SOMEONE PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME , what bc race would camelot run in ? i keep hearing classic but thought he was a turf horse ???

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Linda in Texas — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:23:30 GMT

Seconding Greg R. with his note to Mr. Irwin. I feel Animal Kingdom's issues have already sent 2 extreme messages. I don't want the third to be life ending.

I know it was a tough decision to take Chantal away from riding Game On Dude but Baffert knows best. Game on Dude is 'another' one of my favorites. This is his third year of racing if i can add. He is 5.

And my favorite 'game on photo'

of Game on Dude was his attire in the Dubai race. He looked to me like a warrior who was ready for battle. I just like him, a lot, a whole lot.

Fight on Paynter. Need to check today's twitter on him. It has been an amazing journey with him and i hope to see him in parading to post when he is healthy once again.

Thanks Steve.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

steve from st louis — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:51:19 GMT

Of course you're right, Greg, I was one shopping center off. Adding to my hyperbole, let Camelot start from Pasadena and he would catch the field at the 3/16ths pole. Race on.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Greg R — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:57:04 GMT

If Camelot arrives in Pasadena for the Classic, he will miss it entirely, because Santa Anita is not in Pasadena. It is in Arcadia, which is adjacent to Pasadena. Camelot is a terrific horse, though.

For "The Deacon" : It is hard to believe that Animal Kingdom could be ready for the Breeder's Cup, considering he is coming off his second career-threatening injury and they ought to proceed gingerly with him by giving him several easier races first, not throwing him into the most strenuous race in the hemisphere. I thought he was the most talented horse we'ver seen in a number of years. I strongly believe a trip to Dubai to run on Tapeta would be a colossal waste of what is left of his racing potential. Please, Mr. Irwin, keep him here in 2013 for a normal, American campaign. He will reward you.

Doesn't William Hill's 12/1 seem high for Mucho Macho Man?

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Paula Higgins — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:48:38 GMT

ITA with either GOD or RTG as first and second. I think GOD has the best chance with the jockey change.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Steve Haskin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:20:08 GMT

Very clever, Dr. D., but I think that conversation actually happened.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

steve from st louis — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 01:42:08 GMT

After watching the Pacific Classic with eyeballs forced to stay open with toothpicks, I think Camelot could win the 14 furlong St. Leger on dead turf, swim across the Big Pond, hitch his way across the US on a flat-bed truck and arive in Pasadena hours before the Classic and still hit the board if not win. If Dullahan can show up those handicap horses, so can the plastic "Trigger" that sits in my little girl's room with Ron the Greek second and Royal Delta third. And remember, being from St. Louis, I don't have a coast in this fight.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:42:29 GMT

Time for the TV show "Jockeys" to come back, and film Chantal and Jill Baffert drinking martinis and white wine at lunch after shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, and talking about Chantal getting taken off of Game On Dude. " I tried Chantal, believe me I did." Chantal-"Well, you obviously didn't try hard enough." Jill-"I did. I used to make him his favorite steak dinner to keep you on but he's not eating steak anymore. Salad just doesn't have the same persuasive power." Chantal to the waiter-"I'll have another Martini, make it a double. Damn. I was going to win The Classic, and I could have won the Derby with Mine That Bird. Damn."

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:23:24 GMT

Now I have the mental image of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson sitting down with a huge magnifying glass trying to decipher this year's BC Classic! I love watching the old movies with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (I think was the actor who played Watson). Steve and Lenny could do a Holmes/Watson spoof in their next segment!

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:15:25 GMT

As always, clever title Steve! One has to work for Scotland Yard to figure out this BC Classic outcome. Interesting article.

I'm not big on 11th hour jockey changes, but if Baffert thinks Bejarano can maneuver the Dude better in the Classic, ok. Steve, so much for your great idea of promoting Chantal. Chantal knows the horse, Dude is used to her, there is no guarantee the combo of Bejarano and G.O.D. is going to get the win. Just because Bejarano, who I like as well, is their no. 1 rider doesn't necessarily give G.O.D. a better chance for a Classic win. Chantal has ridden G.O.D. what 10 times or so, so there is a bond developped between them. I don't know, if you already have a winning combination that is working why mess with it? I think they should have promoted Chantal the way Steve said and Baffert should have kept her on Dude. It all remains to be seen. I guess the Classic has eluded Baffert so much and his top guns of the 3 yr. olds are gone, so he's going all out on the Classic. Can't say I blame him. I guess Bejarano and Dude better start bonding. Sherlock would tell us that the "clue" is not necessarily in the jockey.

I guess I have to rethink Belmont. I have never thought of it as being speed favoring or biased to front runners. Alex came from way off the pace, and Hard Spun, a front runner, was well behind Rags and Curlin. I always figured that with the large sweeping oval turns that your goose was cooked if you took off like a bat out of hell by the time you reached the backstretch. Maybe the dynamics of Belmont are changing, it helped Paynter this year who was second.

Speaking of Paynter, encouraging news yesterday from the Zayats. Our prayers are working! PowerUpPaynter!

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Householder — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:18:46 GMT

Could not agree more with the jockey switch on G.O.D. Thought Sutherland gave him a "ho-hum" ride in the Pacific Classic going up on some cheap speed that ran 46 for the half. Way premature particularly with a synthetic type closer with a weight break in the field. G.O.D. hates Del Mar and wants a jockey that will not drop the rein in mid-stretch. G.O.D. has spoken. Could get interesting if he by passes up the former Goodwood and goes to the BC gate on works alone. To me he still seems like one of the few capable or running a sub 2:00 race particularly if the track plays like it did last fall. We will know in a few weeks.

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

lunar spook — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:22:19 GMT

I always look forward to PEDIGREE ANNS comments , they are well thought out intelligent remarks , at first i thought she was trying to make an impression and was being condesending , now i realize she is just very bright ! and no, im not trying to be sarcastic here , she seems to be a very well rounded unique indivual !

re: Countdown to the Cup: The Game's Afoot

Aaron McC — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:54:55 GMT

Adapted for contemporary English in the recent Masterpiece modern adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, we have Sherlock exclaiming "The game is on!" and I think we might add "dude" for us Americans.

With all the speed that seems to be converging in a mile and a quarter race at Santa Anita, it makes sense to take the speed we know can stay (Game on Dude) and could potentially run all others into the ground and add a strong closer thats proven at the distance and the track, Ron the Greek.

I stand in agreement with you Steve -- at the moment -- and that would be my exacta if the race were tomorrow.

I am awaiting further evidence, will keep my eyes on Mucho Macho Man and maybe some others.

In any case, keep those "little grey cells" working.

With thanks,