In Fashion

re: In Fashion

schabelli — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:02:31 GMT

Clay,

Not going to get even money on a Derby winner racing against 4 nobody's. The only thing that Brownie has proven is that he can beat up on the weakest group of 3 yr olds I can remember AND be beaten up by the same. This race Saturday is clearly about the connections looking for another blowout and some purse money the easiest way they can get it. If this horse was so good and his last race a fluke you would think they would quit ducking any resemblance of competition. There isn't much to prove against this pathetic class of 3 yr. olds. If Brownie is to go to the Breeders Cup Classic for his first race against older horses they will always have the excuse if he gets whipped that it was run on a fake surface anyway. Regardless, if he wins the others have the same excuse. This years Breeders Cup Classic will prove nothing just like winning against such a below par group of 3 yr olds proves nothing.

re: In Fashion

katsan — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:13:59 GMT

I can relate to the ambulance. I had a friend who was a paramedic at the track in Albuquerque, they had to push the ambulance to get it started and once they started moving it they didn't dare stop. Better than some of the races.

On the water issue, we had a terrible flood up the road in Ruidoso, loss of life and property just tragic. The track is under about a foot or two of water, it's down in a little valley so floods, but at least not like it was along the river. Not sure they'll be racing although they plan this weekend. Pepper is going for the record but Joel won't run her in the mud.

re: In Fashion

Clay — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:36:57 GMT

I think BB has proven quite a bit this year. It has been thrown around that he needs rest after each race and the triple was just too much. His last 2 works were incredible and should handle the Haskell competition with ease. I hope maybe now I can get at least even money with him on the tote. But I doubt it.

re: In Fashion

joe — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:34:02 GMT

The 1981 Belmont Stakes was the first race I ever attended; Summing upset Derby-Preakness champ Pleasant Colony, ending that triple crown bid. Like 2008 Belmont victor-crown spoiler Da' Tara, Summing finished last in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga. I later saw Pleasant Colony top older horses in the Woodward. Summing won the inagural Pegasus, I believe. Among others from that 3-year old crop, Noble Nashua won the 1981 Marlboro, and Belmont place horse Highland Blade won the 1982 Marlboro (over Slew O Gold and Bates Motel). That was a very good year!

re: In Fashion

Doeskinner — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:24:46 GMT

Taking nothing away from Macho Again, I believe the future is quite bright for that horse. But Coa, the jockey who rode Mint Lane should have been scolded for his horrid ride. Blazing off as if it was a 6 furlong race. Those two should have dueled at the wire, I put all the "reason" for Mint Lanes finishing position on Coa. Surely Mr. Jerkins will remember this and not have Coa jockey for him again

re: In Fashion

schabelli — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:08:25 GMT

You hit the nail right on the head with your reference of this years sub-standard 3 yr. old class. Macho Again's win in the Dandy only solidified that fact. The decision to continue to race Big Brown against a class of 3 yr olds so weak is further proof. On his best day he has shown he can beat these weaklings up but on an off day he has shown they can kick his rear too. With only 2 or 3 more carreer races for Brownie it is apparent his connections talk a big game, but their actions show they have little confidence he can run with a diluted class of older horses anyway. There has been way too much hype for a Derby/Preakness winner who lucked out by being born the same year as this pathetic group. I can't count how many times I have heard Professional Handicappers state that any horse regardless of class can get very brave on a uncontested lead or against weak competition. The results of those races can be very misleading which is the case for Brownie. He ain't proven jack yet.

re: In Fashion

Mike Allen — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:06:15 GMT

I've always found Mr Zast's thoughts published here both nimble and insightful, capturing not only intelligent appraisal of the horses, but even the spirit of the track itself. He will always have my steady and appreciative reading in this journal.