Posts from March 2008
No Doubt About It
Curlin & Robby Albarado winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Charles Pravata)
Curlin is one hell of an impressive horse, or as Swifty just put it on the phone, “Curlin’s got skillz”.
It was easy to dismiss how effortlessly he won his last race, but not here. He ran at least 3 wide the entire race and on command produced another gear to motor past the field and win by 3-4 7 3/4 lengths… effortlessly.
I’m happy to report that Curlin is doing a stellar job of fulfilling my hopes and dreams of making an air tight case for talented horses racing beyond 3. I don’t even care if Jess Jackson is lying through his teeth about doing for it good of the sport… letting him get credit for it is a small price to pay if our stars can stick around longer because of it. But we all know where the real credit goes… thank you Fen-Phen!!
Posted by dana on Mar 29 2008
Filed Under: Charles Pravata, Dubai World Cup, 2008, Robby Albarado, International Racing, Let Horses Race, Curlin, Racing
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Off to a Great Start
Go Diamond Stripes, what a nice performance! I liked him to win here but didn’t put any money on him at his price. I also only lightly handicapped the card so I won’t be doing too much (serious) wagering this morning. I did throw a couple of bucks on Don Renato, but to win not to show.
Regardless of how much I play along from home, I haven’t been this excited for Saturday morning TV since Looney Tunes & Super Host (for those who lived within broadcast distance of WUAB in Cleveland in the early 70’s).
Next up, I think I’ll make a little play on My Indy using the same logic that can be found over at casa de Superfecta.
Posted by dana on Mar 29 2008
Filed Under: 2008, Dubai World Cup, Diamond Stripes, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Procrastination Sidebar
Hats off to Paul Pompa Jr on his excellent horse naming sensibility (presuming he named them). He owns the following runners on tomorrow’s Gulfstream card: Classy Concern, Backseat Rhythm, Yes Master and Big Brown.
Perhaps it’s time I stop putting off reading this? Ok, back to handicapping…
Posted by dana on Mar 28 2008
Filed Under: I'm Procrastinating, 2008, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A Triumphant Return?
While looking over the Gulfstream card for tomorrow, a few things jump out (besides how interesting the Florida Derby is going to be!).
While we’re all caught up in the current derby hype of Big Brown, Tomcito and the like I’d like to take you for a little trip in the (not so) way back machine… note last year’s Florida Derby:
Michael Matz trainee Chelokee was very much in vogue in the hype machine and his maneuver to get around some horses and close strongly in the Florida Derby only added fuel to the fire. Was he the next Barbaro? Would he run in the Derby? There ended up being no Triple Crown action for the talented colt but he did go on to win the Barbaro Stakes (nee Sir Barton - change it back!) on Preakness day and the Northern Dancer before sustaining an ankle injury.
Fast forward to tomorrow, site of the 2008 Florida Derby, where Chelokee will be making his 4 year old debut as the 7-5 favorite in race 6, a 75K allowance optional claimer (where no one is in for a tag). Drums of Thunder, also on the Derby Trail last year, is also in the race. I’m wondering Chelokee will pull a Circular Quay and have a triumphant return?
Other 2007 Derby Trail horses on tomorrow’s Gulfstream card include Izzie’s Halo in the 8th and Imawildandcrazyguy in the 12th, who also ran in last year’s Florida Derby.
Best of luck to all them!
Posted by dana on Mar 28 2008
Filed Under: Come Back, YouTube, 2008, Imawildandcrazyguy, Barbaro, Triple Crown, Circular Quay, Race Replay, Racing
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Running Style Imbalance
Yours truly is back from impersonating a business traveler (and not such a hot impersonation at that). I had a couple of posts I wanted to do but was either too tired or lacking free wireless. I have to get crackin’ on my handicapping for tomorrow, but you know I like to procrastinate!
I’ve been noticing a lot discussion about this year’s crop of 3yos lack of consistent 100+ Beyers, not only here but around ye olde blogosphere as well. I haven’t had a chance to investigate all the points everyone is making too closely (consider my first paragraph the excuse) so pardon me if someone else made this point already… I think this is really a function of the imbalance of running styles (as first noted here in the second to the last paragraph).
Are there any other confirmed speed horses besides War Pass? I don’t think there are (please let me know if I’m forgetting anyone). For example, if you look at Pyro’s Beyers in his two races with War Pass, they both broke 100. He had a 100 in the Champagne and 105 in the BC Juvie. And I’m not just talking about Pyro here… I believe all of the other contenders this year, aside from War Pass are either closers or stalkers, so how can you knock them for slower Beyers if they don’t have a speed horse to chase?
Posted by dana on Mar 28 2008
Filed Under: Pace, Running Style, 2008, Pyro, 3yo, War Pass, Derby Trail
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