Reminder that riding those endless sweeping Belmont turns has undone many a "Belmont novice rider".by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Heading into the race, the general consensus was that this the field with the strongest resume, and the downgrade to Grade 2 was already getting knocked. Yet, the top flight group all crashed and burned. I think this is an anomaly, and perhaps they did not pick up the Keeneland surface. How does a race go from the top flight prep of the year to a clunker?by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Not sure what to do with Thunder Snow, but it jogged by memory about bin Suroor's amazing performance at Saratoga from 2008-2010 when he used to ship his Godolphin string to the Spa. Over three years he was 43/16-8-4; off a layoff he was 30/12-6-3 and in stakes races he was 23/9-5-2! bin Suroor is a world class trainer who is no stranger to American dirt racing.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
It's a total send from the outside with none of those directly inside him with any early lick. Noble Bird is a freak show, can't worry about him. I always thought Chrome was best at 1 1/8 despite his 1 1/4 resume. Probably why he hung in the first Classic and his Derby number was weak. It's a match race from the get go; no need to to leave anything in the tank, unlike Arrogatby Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Kudos to the TG Analysis sheet for SA on Monday. She paired a prior top at TuP and was poised to move forward. Great score running down Calhoun late. Thanks to TG for the gifts this week. I've been a Beyer disciple since 1978, but for sure I'll be dipping into TG this year!by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Is that a bet back angle if he had five straight losses after the Preakness card? Looks like he was just rounding into condition. Although I will say that Mejia didn't exactly spot him correctly after the Pimlico race.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Thanks for the clarification. I was ALL x 4 x 6 in those races but couldn't get past the 2 for 36 Foxtrot Romeo. But that TJ combo was the key. Probably something to watch at GG when they resume in August.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
But the first leg was not ALL for winning tickets. I think it doubles the 30 winning tickets to 60. I had ALL in the first and still blew the wager.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
You can sit in the second floor clubhouse for $43- prices dropping like a rock without a triple crown on the line. Other deals are numerous:by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
So what if he was banned at Tampa...by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Missed the break, then he sort of rears back 2 jumps out of the gate and he's dead last- race over. Watch the replay. The ridiculous DRF chart call notes "lacked speed". He'll romp in his return to SA.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Dry track route performances: 1. Breeders Futurity: middle move to the 1/8...flattened out 2. BC Juvenile: middle move to the 1/8...flattened out 3. San Felipe: middle move (up the rail) to the 1/8...flattened out Muddy/sloppy performances: 1. Delta: took command early into the race; held sway. He's not going to show that speed ever again 2. SA Derby: per Kent: "felt like he hby Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Palace Malice freaked with blinkers on in the Derby. They were off for the Belmont and I crushed that race.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Fall meet, mile and over, main track through October 11: 25 dirt route races: PP 1-4: 19/25= 76% PP 5-12: 6/25= 24%by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
That #4 should be a HTW since he also blew the start and was a live FTS for Sharp.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
PP1 9-40 (.22)-maybe Rick Violette will stop bitching with Upstart here PP2 5-40 (.12) PP3 8-40 (.20) PP4 0-40 (.00) PP5 9-39 (.23) PP6 4-37 (.11) PP7 4-25 (.16) PP8 0-13 (.00) PP9 1-6 (.17) PP10 0-3 (.00) PP11 0-1 (.00) Through 08/24by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Through 08/24: 33 races: Wire: 13 (39%) Stalk: 14 (42%) Rally: 6 (18%) (Honor Code and Jess's Dream in this group)by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
There was a denial of service attack on the website as reported by Johnny D on Byk this morning.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
You added a decimal. It was 0.8%by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
1. Just renewed Formulator 120 card annual plan. Last year $375, this year $419.95. That's 12% UP. The inflation rate in the US was 0.8% in 2014. Private equity company wants their ROI. 2. Paid $125 to sit on the clubhouse turn in the NYRA hospitality boxes at the SPA last year. This year they want $390! When I ran into Kay last year at the Shake Shack I was cordial- maybe this year Iby Focus959 - Ask the Experts
And don't forget the Pennsylvania Derby fiasco. Art did a remarkable job to get this horse close to winning the BC Classic off a no-help prep, so that the boys could get a check from Parx.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
As with AP, maybe this is the best thing for them and Perry can come to his senses return to the dirt, and point for the Whitney. Only a 1.25MM purse at a distance he can surely handle.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Elevated temperature today per a Dave Grening retweet- she's out.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
What happened to the "we're seeing something special" crop, a la TGJB? That sure faded fast!by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
And 12 out of the last 13...as the breed for speed continues takes hold... 2014 Tonalist Peter Pan 1st 2013 Palace Malice Derby 12th 2012 Union Rags Derby 7th 2011 Ruler on Ice Pimlico prep 2nd 2010 Drosselmeyer Dwyer 2nd 2009 Summer Bird Derby 6th 2008 Da Tara Pimlico prep 2nd 2007 Rags to Riches Oaks 1st 2006 Jazil Derby 4th (2005 Afleet Alex) 2004 Birdstone Derby 8th 2003 Empirby Focus959 - Ask the Experts
2014 Commissioner 2nd 28-1 Peter Pan 2nd 2014 Matterhorn 8th 41-1 Peter Pan 5th 2013 Palace Malice 1st 13-1 Derby 12th 2013 Revolutionary 5th 5-1 Derby 3rd 2013 Unlimited Budg 6th 14-1 Oaks 3rd 2013 Overanalyze 7th 10-1 2013 Midnignt Taboo 12th 30-1 2011 Stay Thirsty 2nd 16-1 Derby 12th 2010 Interactif 7th 20-1 Blue Grass 4th 2009 Dunkirk 2nd 9-2 Derbyby Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Quoted by Evan Hammonds, Exec. Editor in Blood-Horse in CNN piece:by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Jacobsen was shocked, shocked I tell you, that a 10 yo race horse should be retired!!!by Focus959 - Ask the Experts
Are we just forgiving the FOY due to the throat issue or that it wasn't too big a jump from the 2yo top? Or both? Bounce potential for me.by Focus959 - Ask the Experts