Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Tue, 11 May 2010 01:35:57 GMT

Soldier Course,

From you keyboard to the racing gods' ear! Would LOVE to see it happen!

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

jayjay — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:50:07 GMT

Barring any changes to the list of runners, here's what I'm throwing away my money on :) :

SS / Aikenite on top with Dublin / LAL and Pleasant Prince on the bottom.

I'll be using the same for most of my exotics, might throw PP on top on some of my trifectas and superfectas.

I know the clown will wait until after the race and claim another winning ticket specially if SS wins (the one he has already predicted more than once that will never win the Preakness.)

I'm in a high right now for this years TC chase, I'm almost feeling that this is probably the year. Like I said before, the racing gods might actually give it to TP and Winstar just because both have waited so long to win their first Derby, imagine if they win TC after winning their first Derby in so many years ?? What a story...

I just know that this week is going to drag on and on and on just because I can't wait for Saturday.

Good luck with all your picks folks!

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Pedigree Shelly — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:16:35 GMT

I really wish that Ice Box would run in the Preakness ! I wish he would learn to run closer to the pace , instead of trying to do a " Silky Sullivan " in his races.I'd love to see a TC winner in my lifetime ! I was alive for Secretariat , Slew , and Affirmed but ,was too young to appriciate them ! I remember vaguely watching " Slew " win the Derby with my Grandpa .Can SS finally end this terrible drought ? I certainly hope so :)

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Soldier Course — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:09:29 GMT

A couple of years ago a good friend who doesn't follow racing, but who is gracious about my passion, made an interesting comment about the next Triple Crown winner.

She thinks that the next one will sneak up on us, instead of coming in on a big industry and media blitz. He will quietly win the Kentucky Derby, finese the Preakness, then manage to win the Belmont. She stopped by for happy hour a few days ago. I reminded her of this prediction ...

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Pedigree Shelly — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:19:43 GMT

! Jay Jay , I'm not too confident about LAL's jockey either

Yes. That was an unforgettable TC with Afleet Alex,I even got a chance to shake hands with Jeremy Rose :)

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

jayjay — Mon, 10 May 2010 03:18:21 GMT

Zookeeper : yes, a virus!

Pedigree Shelly : I agree, that's why I told afleetalexlover to change her name because she doesn't seem like a nice person lol. Afleet Alex's run in the TC was one of the best performances of a 3 yr old in this decade and combine that with the story behind his name, it was just an awesome TC year for me.

I'm still looking at SS with LAL / Dublin and Pleasant Prince but my original list I had aikenite because LAL wasn't listed as probable at the time. But now, knowing M Garcia is riding LAL, I might put Aikenite back on my list lol. Something about that combo doesn't jive with me, I get that gut feeling that they won't mesh well together and LAL won't run the way he needs to to win the race but I'm hoping I'm wrong!

Aikenite was my long shot and still is!!

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Sun, 09 May 2010 23:09:55 GMT

tcc,

Too Clever!

jayjay,

Do you mean a "bug" as in VIRUS? lol!

Pedigree Shelly,

NOBODY can do what Afleet Alex did in the Preakness!!! There's another hero who competed in all 3 legs of the TC. At least he gets a lot of respect, Mine That Bird gets very little from some horseracing fans(?).

If Super Saver is good enough (and that's a big IF) even Zito won't be able to spoil a TC. Boy! could we be this lucky to finally witness one this year?

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Pedigree Shelly — Sun, 09 May 2010 21:16:37 GMT

I really think LAL is the one to beat in the Preakness ,if he runs ! The Preakness really fits his running style . I'd like to see Dublin win for a change , especially since his sire ( Afleet Alex's performance in that race was unforgettable !) I'd love to see SS have a shot at the TC but, Ice Box and Zito will be waiting for him at Belmont !

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

tcc — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:58:24 GMT

Jason:

Some horse's pointing or thinking about going to the Belmont, are Uptowncharlybrown and Stay Put.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

jayjay — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:37:53 GMT

Someone mentioned before the Preakness is the best race of the TC this year and it's starting to look like it will be. I'm starting to get that anxious anticipation of what the field will look like.

I'm still sticking with my picks at this time SS with LAL, Dublin, Pleasant Prince and a real long shot :) I'm now sure how I feel about GoGo getting on Dublin, at first I thought, this should be a positive thing but now I'm thinking how did LAL's troubles and the Derby run affected GoGo's confidence ? What if Dublin gets the 1 hole ? I think he'll put too much pressure on himself trying to figure out what to do with Dublin to avoid getting in trouble.

Zookeeper : I treat Draynay's comments as a bug in Jason's blogs, it keeps appearing when it shouldn't be there because it's just garbage. The guy doesn't know anything and is desperate to be acknowledged in online blogs as a handicapper :) Shows you how desperate one can be.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

tcc — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:27:42 GMT

For quite a while now I've been refering to It Ain't Easy as Draynay's clone. As if we didn't have enough with ONE.

Zookeeper 08 May 2010 5:17 PM

BTW I GOT SMOKED DERBY DAY! I have a derby day hangover and need the preakness to get here fast! I had no winning tickets first time in a long time for the derby!

It Aint Easy being good 07 May 2010 2:06 PM

Zookeeper:

Maybe the name should be changed a little by deleteing the letter t in the first word, also deleteing the third and fourth word.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Sun, 09 May 2010 14:05:11 GMT

Tim G,

Do you own Dublin? or Are you associated with this colt in some other way? Your last statement of 9:28PM has me wondering... If you are, it would explain a lot! :)

Aluminaut,

Pomona does count. Caracortado broke his maiden there, at first asking, on the sacred DIRT highly valued by so many. I would say he handled it quite well and I wouldn't discount him in the Preakness.

Draynay and his cohort are not worth discussing. They add nothing of value to any blog they participate in. :(

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Aluminaut — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:53:45 GMT

Zookeeper,

The other blog is boring. I read parts of it, but lost interest. A lot of posts though....

I actually gave the It Ain't Easy is Draynay theory some thought a while back. It Ain't Easy's grammar and blog style change. Draynay's kinda the same. Could be someone's alter egos, along w/Pasturelands who is visiting greener or is out to pasture lately. Draynay needs to make his Christmas/Holiday card wearing the pink hat and dress. For the KD, first he has to work and won't be there, then he wouldn't be wearing the dress anyway, then he's attending the derby and cashing a big SS/Borel ticket. Too much drama for me.

Caracortado worked at SA today. We still don't know what to expect from him on dirt. (Pomona doesn't count.)

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Tim G — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:28:20 GMT

Yes I hope Jason writes a new blog on Monday. There's a lot going on right now.

Things are starting to change pretty quickly and next week will get exciting.

I know they say the Preakness is the forgotten jewel but wouldn't it be funny if they wouldn't allow access to the Belmont to anyone who ignored the Preakness?

Especially if SS wins and we have a TC on the line? LOL

The jock situation with Dublin is up and down. Terry did okay in the Derby and has a pretty good chemistry with him, but the experience factor is immeasurable. We'll see more after Garrett breezes him.

It'd be strange if I didn't like Dublin.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:07:55 GMT

Tim G,

Knowing how you like Dublin, I was hoping you would give your thoughts on it. Let's hope for the best for both horse and jockey.

I can't believe how dead did blog has become. Horses are racing all over, we're in the middle of the TC season and everybody is on the new blog discussing "what may be, or should be".

It got lonely talking to myself on here. Hope more people show up. There's so much going on...

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Tim G — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:32:37 GMT

Yes ZK, classy way to represent it in public.

If GoGo fits Dublin like we think it'll be great. If he gets him in a situation like he did LAL in a couple races it'll be disasterous.

Terry getting to stay on one is nice. Wayne has been trying to keep him around. Northern Giant, could surprise.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

jayjay — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:07:32 GMT

Yeah, I like Bay Meadows too, I use to go there a lot for night racing as it was closer to me than GG. I think with the shortage of horses in CA, they just couldn't sustain it. I just hope we don't lose GG as well.

GoGo got Dublin, I don't know how I feel about that but it seems like a good match. I think GoGo is a much better jockey than Nakatani but I don't like that Thompson lost that mount just because GoGo is available. Terry knows the horse much more than GoGo. Just like what happened to Line of David.

I agree that Rosario is the best jock in CA too and I would love to see him on LAL too. I don't know if Garcia, I know Baffert uses him a lot but Garcia doesn't have the same experience as Mike Smith when it comes to TC but like you said, it'll probably go to him. I'm not sure I will put him on top if Garcia rides him although he is good, I just don't think he has the experience.

Fly Down looked good winning the Dwyer so looks like Zito's got 2 going to the Belmont.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Sat, 08 May 2010 23:01:30 GMT

Fly Down was very impressive in The Dwyer, one more arrow in Zito's arsenal for The Belmont. Interesting!

Gomez on Dublin for the Preakness. Baffert put it nicely. Allow Garrett to secure a mount for the race, since he is still undecided about Lucky. He didn't blame the jockey for the Derby troubles. Classy!

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:30:47 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

A crying shame about Bay Meadows. And for what? A pile of rubbles? Same people own Hollywood Park. Only the crash in the economy and the downturn in the housing market have saved it (momentarily) from the same fate. Ironic isn't it?

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Zookeeper — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:17:59 GMT

jayjay,

For quite a while now I've been refering to It Ain't Easy as Draynay's clone. As if we didn't have enough with ONE. The only way to get rid of them is to ignore them. Responding is playing into their game: Attention at all cost.

Re a new jockey for Lookin at Lucky, a very confident fearless rider is needed in MHO (for what that's worth). I have expressed before that because of everything that has happened, both horse and jockey have lost confidence in each other and have become tentative. Is Smith the answer? I really don't know. He himself is not fond of the rail.(No Borel is he!)I'm glad I'm not Bob Baffert. Right or wrong he has to make a decision soon and live with it after. Not easy!

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 08 May 2010 19:59:56 GMT

jayjay

I loved Bay Meadows. Hated to see it go. It was set up so nice. I really had a blast there. I know exactly what you mean about Baze. Part of it was my problem for always trying to beat him, but when I did bet on him he lost. In 1986 I was able to go to GG Fields almost daily. I beat Baze with Vicky Aragon quite a bit. Or at least it seems like it was quite a bit. I think Rosario is the best jockey in CA, and I'd put him on LAL but it will probably go to Garcia if there's a change, and Garcia is good too. I like Pleasant Prince first, LAL 2nd, Schoolyard 3rd and Super 4th in The Preakness.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

jayjay — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:56:08 GMT

Oh yeah, anyone else have a gut feeling "It Aint Easy being good" is Draynay in disguise ??

If not, no offense to you It Ain't...it just seems like to me that Draynay probably realized how much lies and BS he has spewed on here and tried to confess incognito just to get it out of his chest.

It Ain't's comment sure sound like something a confessing Draynay would say... :)

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

jayjay — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:52:57 GMT

Cool, same here. I didn't think it was fair that we finally got a local horse that was great and brought attn to NorCal racing and then be taken away by cancer. Yeah, he's done training but he did mention he'll be a bloodstock agent so he's not really leaving the industry which is great. I wish Russell Baze would retire though, don't hate him but I could never time my bets on him and it's very frustrating!

Back to the TC : So yesterday, DRF had an article about the mount on LAL being undecided. I asked Steve Haskin to give Baffert a call and tell him to consider Mike Smith. I know Baffert is waiting for the decision to run LAL in the preakness but I think he's going to run him and I'll be betting him to win and beat SS if Mike Smith is on him otherwise, I'm sticking with SS playing him with LAL and Dublin and Pleasant Prince. Have a feeling no longshots in the preakness so double up on your bets!! :)

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 08 May 2010 17:20:12 GMT

jayjay

Norcal. Just hoping to live near a real track for awhile before I die. Norcal was once good, but that's long ago. Lost in the Fog had 10 Beyers in a row 102+. 111, 114, and 116 were the highest, then he got cancer. Just mentioning that because Gilchrist just retired. He lost Fog, then Aleo, then Norcal quality of racing.

re: Pletcher and Borel So Different, Yet So Much Alike

TerriV — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:34:37 GMT

Bless all your pea-pickin hearts for the respect and love going out to MTB. Last year it seemed there were very few of us. I absolutely agree with every positive word said about that valiant little guy. Since so many of you have said it so well I'll just say ditto!! and I can't wait to see him running again. I seem to remember there were a few wonderful heartwarming moments provided by his trainer during MTB's triple crown run. They were great for the sport and I absolutely never tire of watching MTB win his Derby. It is a thing of joy to see every time.