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Thoro-Graph
Tread,
Nothing is impossible. I've said all along, Keeneland must be treated as a completely different surface from the other poly tracks. Woodbine, Arlington, and Turfway all play very similarly. But Keeneland? You cannot compare it with any other artificial or poly surface.
If you've started to find some successes on the artificial surfaces, just keep the faith that eventually
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smalltimer
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C'mon, what's wrong with a little pace handicapping?
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big,
I was being facetious. Silver Charm laid it out as though everything was cut and dried and what was the holdup, etc., etc.
I figure, let the guy who makes the figures, get it right, even if it takes a bit longer.
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I find myself rooting for Asmussen, Pletcher, and Dick Dutrow in the same fashion as rooting for Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa.
What will McGwire, Sosa and Bonds legacy be? The same as the other big three?
Once public opinion has been formed, all the p.r. in the world won't change it.
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Would seem if it's that easy you should just do it for yourself?
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TGJB,
I think you are absolutely correct.
The industry will always be reactive rather than proactive. As JB says, a high profile animal will have to breakdown to get the attention of those in power.
The industry invites another black eye until a change is made.
As a country, we've become *asterisk conscious anyway. Hell, does anyone think the numbers produced throughout the 90'
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I personally think the everyday players are the ones who get jobbed with the way racing conducts itself.
Almost every good one retires at the end of their 3 year old season, hell, we rarely get the pleasure of watching them destroy fields in their 4 year old season. Obviously, if Curlin weren't the subject of much litigation, he'd have been retired last October after the BC win. The
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Given Eight Belles breakdown in the Derby, I think the Preakness offers a couple of ways of looking at things.
As some have suggested, it is not imperative Big Brown run in the Preakness on the short rest. Cleary, its not that unusual. Add the fact of his reported bad ankles, etc, its easy to skip the race if the connections choose to.
If he doesn't win then the Triple Crown is off the
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I am 100% for this. The only catch is this: Chuckles MUST participate.
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Let's just have a little contest then.
How bout JB pick 12 random races next Saturday, design a 12 race program and all us cappers put up $ 500.00 to download the PP's and winner take 50% and TG keeps 50%?
I'm game enough to find out, are you Chuckles?
JB can limit it to 20 participants or 50 participants or he can set the rules, the only rule is he can't participate since
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I can see the whip going away. That would be the first attempt to silence the critics.
The drugs are gonna be a part of the game one way or another.
I could see some type of age restriction measure put in place in the next year or so.
Artificial is here to stay.
One more high profile, untimely breakdown in a major race on television and changes will be demanded. Eventually some people are
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kfach,
Very prudent advice you extend to Chuckles. All of us are subject to picking the wrong horse, having the wrong theory, etc. But, Chuckles insists on insulting people with his cute little remarks. I was on the receiving end of a couple of his wise a@@ remarks, and I didn't appreciate it either. But, its pointless to retort back to the man, cause he just doesn't get it.
I
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kfach,
I think you are exactly right.
Last year in the BC at Monmouth, if I'm not mistaken the top 5 finishers in the Juvenile all ran strictly on dirt during the year, exception being Kodiak Cowboy had 1 race at 4.5f at Kee.
Which now brings up an interesting point for this year's BC at Santa Anita on the artificial. How many real dirt horses are gonna get the job done on that s
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JR,
One need look no farther than Street Sense, Hard Spun and Dominican last year, and then Adriano, Monba this year.
Those that continue to consider Kee Poly and TP Poly as the same surface are gonna get their pockets picked,if they play there. They are two different surfaces, they each play differently.
The Cal Cushion, Pro Ride and Tapeta are all similar, yet different from each other.
I
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kfach,
It's very likely they move up. Question is how much? I'm testing the theory I put forth in the room back on April 20th.
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Wrongly,
For those that like Smooth Air, the 42% win pct on mud would give them more reason to like the horse.
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The upcomign week should make for lots of lively debate on the merits of each.
The perceived front runner who may or may not like the distance, versus the defined closer who answers the surface question.
I'm not gonna offer an opinion until the Post Positions are drawn.
Brown drawing the auxiliary gate or Colonel drawing a poor post could unravel things in a hurry.
We'll all know in
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richiebee,
Many thanks for the response. (I'll try to keep this short. lol).
I have great respect for Bill Mott. Agreed, his success speaks for itself. At no point did I infer he used illegal drugs, I simply stated he was a product of a situation which could have led him on that path. Fair enough?
I only mentioned Neil Pessin in passing, he was someone who came to mind. I could have
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sightsound,
Please forward me the name of your book title, so I can read the chapter explaining your scientific explanation making Oats not natural? I eagerly anticipate your reply. And can I get that book online....Oh, I think I just found it "OATS, NATURAL OR NOT? ONE MAN'S OPINION"
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TGJB,
I'm with you on this one.
There is no question, patterns will clearly indicate performance levels.
I'm more than happy to make a friendly wager that you and I both know what those results will show.
I think you've landed on a certainty.
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richiebee,
Many thanks for the accolades. I've stood on the grassy knoll as well.
I'll try to be as concise as possible, to avoid using more characters than are allowed in this forum.
Feel free to refer to me in any cute name you prefer. My suggestion is - don't read my lengthy posts if you're offended by their wordage.
The need for your approval/disapproval fail
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You can look at Louie Rousell III, Neil Pessin, John Kimmel who gave up a vet practice to train, there's a whole lotta people who work with animals that have experience, or backgrounds working with or growing with or becoming associates with those that have knowledge of animals. It doesn't mean any more than it means. Good horsemen, poor horsemen, we've all seen them.
The consta
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Bill Mott's dad was a veterinarian. Anyone who's brought up working with animal's and has a vet for a dad isn't totally above the possibility.
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Lost Cause,
It's complicated. You don't wanna know. (lol)
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Guys,
Remember you may have some 50 and older guys in here. When that stuff shows up in the room, off goes my popup blocker and I punch in "chicks" to see what you're talking about. Took me 10 minutes to get outta there.
Be more careful.
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Ditto to monmouth.
Underlaid means Underpaid.
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richiebee,
That's some good stuff, including the Hillary analogy.
I've looked at Eight Belles, does it look like she'll be a "shot" or is she more of a "chaser?" I'm not sure she can close the deal against the males, especially the Big Brown one.
I'm guessing Hillary will get all teary eyed when the horses enter the track to that famous song, "
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Chuckles,
Every point an excellent point. Lots of mysteries await next Saturday.
Most of us have played Derby's since we were kids. Has there ever been more unknown factors to contend with? Not even close.
The guys that fill up their wallets after this one should be commended, and given real credence as a handicapper. If you crack this mystery, I'll be one of the first to congrat
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