Separating the Men From the Boys

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Mike Relva — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:29:27 GMT

CAROLYN

I agree with you. Some people pump up a new horse and wanna dismiss legends like they don't matter anymore. Makes no sense!

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

carolyn — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:46:53 GMT

Secretariat will never move over, he has cemented his place in history for another 100+ years.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Forbidden Apple — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:39:01 GMT

Afleet Express was a very short horse yesterday, nothing to do with John Velazquez. You can cross him off as a KY Derby prospect.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Fire Slam — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:07:39 GMT

SOARING EMPIRE!!! DID NOT SEE THE RACE BUT SAW THE RESULT. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO AFLEET EXPRESS??? THEN AGAIN, JOHNNY V. HAS A HABIT OF GETTING SHORT PRICES BEAT.

TODAY HAS BEEN A GOOD DAY FOR BETTING. I AM AHEAD!!!

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Forbidden Apple — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:31:52 GMT

I think you and others are immensely flattered by anything related to Afleet Alex, now I get it. Three year old horses can turn a corner and mature in an instant. Do you remember how Big Brown came on the scene in March after only winning his maiden race on turf? I agree with your excitement, as I already have derby fever myself. One last point, Pletcher has another horse by the name of Super Saver that could be even better than Eskendereya.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Fire Slam — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:16:01 GMT

Mike Relva--

Well said. Pick a horse and stay with them. He had an awful trip and lets see if he comes back.

This is what its all about. Spotting that horse, acting like the trainer, and trying to figure out the next moves.

This is what makes it fun.

I am stuck on a horse named Soaring Empire. His race Thursday at Gulfstream will decide if he should tackle the big dogs.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Fire Slam — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:11:33 GMT

Forbidden Apple----

Not wanting to argue. Just excited about the upcoming road to the roses races!

Big Brown did not have the push button speed Alex had. Neither did Barabaro. I dont need to watch any replays.

Both Big Brown and Barbaro sat way closer the pace and would ease into contention. ALEX would set a litter farther back, and then bam!!!! Explode pass other horses.

Perhaps you need to go back and watch some replays??

Now here we go. I showed some excitement about two horses, and all of a sudden two folks are hammering me.

Cant you guys have some fun. Pick a horse you really like and feel they are the one, and support them on this once in a life time journey? They are only three one time. This is the only shot they have.

Oh ya almost forgot. Soaring Empire is in at Gulfstream Park Thursday. Also, Afleet Express is a nice looking horse. Nice exacta.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Forbidden Apple — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:25:16 GMT

1:48 4/5 is nothing to write President Obama about. Eskendereya is a nice horse, as his sire could run long and he sparkles like shiny copper. Giant's Causeway is a gorgeous stallion that produces quality horses. Out of the early KY Derby future pool, Eskendereya is one of the best bred horses for turf. I like him even more because of his grandfather Seattle Slew. It is simply to soon to possibly be thinking Triple Crown after a win over Jackson Bend. And your second pick is Dublin who is ready to bounce to the moon. If Afllett Alex is the only horse you remember with push button speed, you need to watch more replays. Have you seen the effortless moves by Barabaro and Big Brown for starters?

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Fire Slam — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:35:50 GMT

This is what makes it fun. Also, Soaring Empire is in Thursday at Gulfstream Park. Nice allowance race. Hope he runs big.

Jhandler--if you cant get excited about horses you like, then what is the use of following horse racing???

Sure its a bold statement and prediction. No need for you to bash me. Now when I come back and start bashing you, dont start putting words in my mouth. You started this.

Let it ride!!

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Ranagulzion — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:08:07 GMT

Way to go Fire Slam! You are bolder than I am. Don't get lonely 'cause I'm pretty sure I'll be joining you on this Triple Crown waggon after the Florida Derby.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Jason Shandler — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:16:26 GMT

People: Fire Slam's last two comments are perfect examples of why it is smart not to get too excited about one win. The man is giving out his Derby trifecta on Feb. 24, not to mention giving us the first Triple Crown winner in three-plus decades. Wow...deep breathe anyone?

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Fire Slam — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:08:37 GMT

Eskendereya wasnt even breathing hard after the race. The pace was honest, but not too wicked. He could have gone anytime he wanted to.

Johnny V. touched him maybe twice or three times with the whip and thats it.

Easy trifecta this KY Derby. Eskendereya with Dublin, with all.

Eskendereya is a triple crown winner. Im calling it right now.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Fire Slam — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:03:25 GMT

I know I have posted lots of questionable things that deserved too be blasted. Especially about Todd P and Johnny V.

BUT, after seeing Eskendereya in person, he is my pick. I saw him in the post parade at GP, and he was big,strong, almost clumsy looking horse. He takes after his broodmare sire, Seattle Slew--"Baby Huey."

When Johnny V. asked him to go, he just exploded. The only horse I have seen with push button speed like that was Afleet Alex. He would sit and wait, and then just take off.

Dublin was awesome as well. Eskendereya has Triple Crown written all over him. This is the year!!! Never thought I would be pulling for Todd P. and Johnny V.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

longwaytomay — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:00:44 GMT

Forbidden Apple,

I did read what you and others wrote about Conveyance. I just don't believe that he is a horse that will rate. Nothing wrong with that as I think he is going to be very tough to beat as a miler. JMHO :)

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

gw_bushwacker — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:49:35 GMT

Buddy's Saint got bumped a little ... what a shame.

Draynay 23 Feb 2010 12:05 AM

Well we all know nay nay's not a trip handicapper except where it's convienient. What he said is like saying Big Brown had a little problem.....what a shame with his start in the Belmont.

On the other hand if Buddy's Saint had been his choice he would have proclaimed it almost a nuclear disaster. Some people are so predictable. Always the excuses when he's wrong and always the I told you so when he picks the 2/5 favorite along with most of the world and he's right.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:31:27 GMT

Longwaytomay, you are 100% correct when you said that Conveyance can not win the KY Derby if he runs 1:10 3/5 again. He had to gun it from the 9 post on saturday. Read what I wrote and what others wrote. If Conveyence settles and gets to run around 1:12 2/5 like Eskendereya did, how dangerous would he be then? Conveyance is still learning and growing up himself. My point was that Conveyance will be a tough horse to handle if he saves ground and learns to rate a little. The last front running KY Derby winner was War Emblem, also trained by Bob Baffert. His fractions were 23 1/5, 47, 1:11 3/5, 1;36 3/5, and he finished in 2:01. Why not more respect for Conveyence? He beat Dublin who has a fan club 10 miles long because he is an offspring of Afleet Alex. Eskendereya be a slow Calder horse by the name of Jackson Bend. While another Pletcher horse, Aikenite did his dirty work by engaging in sumo wrestling with Buddy's Saint. I am still not sold 100% on any horse.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Mike Relva — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:28:13 GMT

LAZMANNICK

Besides what Billy said,I haven't heard anything about an ankle. His trainer stated he came out of the race well. I like Buddy's Saint.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

LAZMANNICK — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:38:18 GMT

Hey Billy:

I wasn't trying to knock Afleet Alex. I know he had a problem and obviously he overcame it. What I'm trying to say is that Buddy didn't run an inch and foundation has nothing to do with that. What happened to him in the turn had everything to do with it and then when you get caught behind at Gulfstream against good horses, it's almost impossible to come back. His race proved nothing (positive or negative)and is a complete throw out. It's interesting though, how on Jason's new blog that Buddy hardly gets a mention. I still think he's going to be a big factor unless the ankle problem that you mentioned takes him off the trail. LOL

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Mike Relva — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:19 GMT

LDP

How's everything with you? I don't care what CERTAIN PEOPLE say I still like Buddy's Saint.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

LDP — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:03:13 GMT

Dray,

Since when is hitting another horse so hard you bounce back into the rail, bounce back hit the horse, then back into the rail again a little? Just because you may not back a horse doesn't mean you downplay what actually happened. Though you seem to do that a lot in order to try and make yourself look smarter, so why am I surprised.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Mike Relva — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:30:46 GMT

DRAYNAY

It's premature to discount Buddy's Saint.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

longwaytomay — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:49:17 GMT

Gunbow,

Thanks for your response. I don't disagree that Esk was in the garden spot but if you watch the replay he earned it. He certainly didn't break first but JV rushed him up to get into a great position before the first turn. In two turn routes at GP, being in position at the first turn is a necessity if you want to win. I believe that he was in the perfect stalking postion down the backstretch because of what he did in the short run to the first turn. Pretty smart on JV's part. As far as the Beyer figure goes, look how much the track variant changed from the first race to the FOY. I think I read somewhere that there was a seven point change. So maybee the 106 is inflated, it makes no difference to me. I do pay attention to the Beyer figs but don't think they are the only tool in the shed as some people do. (not suggesting that you do) All I know is that if Eskendereya can run solid 12's for ten panels then I'm pretty sure he can win the KY Derby.

What would happen to Esk when Conveyance runs a 1:10? If the race is at 1 1/4 he would blow by him down the strectch when Conveyance runs out of gas. Conveyance will never get 1 1/4 if he runs a 1:10.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Billy's Empire — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:27:33 GMT

Longway, great point about QR. It is like comparing apples to oranges.

LAZ, Afleet Alex was sick with a lung infecion after that race. He came back and dominated, but also had a much better foundation in my opinion than Buddy's Saint. Buddy already has an ankle issue, and I can see him being taken off of the TC trail and point towards a fall campaign.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Forbidden Apple — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:26:19 GMT

Ha ha Kim, of course I meant the Wood Memorial. One bad race and now Buddy is nothing. I know better than to jump on the bandwagon of a Pletcher 3 year old this early in the season.

re: Separating the Men From the Boys

Draynay — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:05:51 GMT

Buddy's Saint got bumped a little ... what a shame. We all know that will never happen in the Derby. Give me a break. Dublin looks good, D Funnybone is a seasoned veteran that looks tougher and tougher and Fly Down is now on the radar screen Mr. Zito. No more hiding his talent. Where does he go next Mr. Zito?