Gentlemen: It's really getting bad. Just take a look at the racing that is currently available on TVG. Only the Fairgrounds has anything resembling quality racing. I refuse to wager on, follow, or watch the joke they call the AQU inner track. For those of us that live in NJ, if you do not live close to the Meadowlands, Freehold Raceway, or Monmouth, you pretty much cannot play. This is racby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Kev--- I had a big exacta box play using NO PAROLE with the winner (SALUTE HIM). 'PAROLE got slammed coming out and droped back to last. No way to recover from that on speed favoring inner oval. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
TGAB/DAN-- Solid analysis by both of you. TGAB--You confirmed my play in this. I like EYE OF THE TIGER and will key him with several of the contenders such as MIDAS EYES. (Thanks for taking the time out to do this.) I thought that the route races he ran in this summer dulled his speed for the KINGS BISHOP (which was Travers Day and one of the most wicked speed biases I have ever seen up there.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I'm not so sure that ALDEBAREN lost due to the 6f distance as opposed to the size of the field. That's not an excuse for him, it's just a possible explanation. Sprinters who close from far off are at the mercy of both pace and field size, unless they get a lucky trip. If they ran the BC sprint at 7f would we then consider ALDEBAREN the best sprinter in the country even if he loby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
CH-- CAJUN BEAT would have certainly made it a version of a BC sprint for 3yos only. I printed out the TG sheets for the race earlier today and I'm still banging my head. Hopefully TGAB, who is on fire right now, can shed some holiday light on this race. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Something to think about at the Holiday table for those of you that have to spend it with unwelcomed family members such as your in-laws. The race is terrific and much value looms, in my opinion. The race features the return of such notables as BUDDY GILL, EYE OF THE TIGER, BLAZONRY, and DOMESTIC DISPUTE. Now add MIDAS EYES, POSSE, and ZAVATA to the mix and you have perhaps the best 3yo race ofby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Not sure about the sprint Eclipse---perhaps CAJUN BEAT by default. For 2yo colt, I thought that EUROSILVER's win at Keenland was the most impressive race by a 2yo. Good luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
In 21 years of marriage, my wife has yet to give me a Christmas present so meaningful. Thank You. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
TGAB--- Terrific call. Speed favoring inner oval did not hurt. A buddy of mine had this horse real good. His theory surrounds stakes type filly and mare races where he strictly keys any speed at double digit odds or better. He says that speed dominates these type of races more than with the boys. Tough to argue with him right now.....he also had ADORATION in the BC distaff. Good Luck, Joe Bby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
MO-- I agree with the "they are just like women" analogy. I have a picture of CHOPPININA in my office at work barely holding 2nd in the 2002 Atto Mile. ( i love that filly). My wife wants to know why a horse's picture is there and not her's. I told her when she runs second for the exacta @ 55-1, I'll put her picture there too. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm-- You are right; it did cost ALYSHEBA that point system bonus they had going at the time. Quite a painful day for Van Berg and the owners. ALYSHEBA reminded me a little of PLEASANT COLONY. They had mediocre success in the late winter/early spring 3yo stake races, then they got good all of a sudden and at the right time. Not being a Van Berg or Johnny "I'm a helluva trby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
BET TWICE was a good one. I agree that 1987 was the last really strong 3yo crop. Phalaris-- GULCH ran 3rd in the BELMONT behind BT and CRYPTOCLEARANCE. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm--- Croll was referring to HOLY BULL not BET TWICE. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I bet on BET TWICE throughout the Triple Crown and got rewarded for my patience in the BELMONT. I still argue that BET TWICE may have won the Triple Crown if he had come into the Derby with a recent race. Croll brought him in on 5 weeks rest. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Nicely Nicely--- Sprinters may indeed be more fragile; however I believe it has more to due with the sprinters running harder from gate to wire than the routers. To go a step further, I would think that off the pace sprinters (e.g. an ALDEBAREN type) would not have the same tendency to bounce as much as say a SHAKE THE DICE type. You could argue the same for a router; would a PUZZLEMENT or an Iby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I'll add another-- PVAL on FRAISE in the 1992 BC Turf. Perfectly timed and saved ground the entire 1 1/2. When evaluating great rides, I think we need to consider when a horse beats a superior horse strictly due to the ride. No way FRAISE is within several lenghths of a horse like SKY CLASSIC, but Valenzuela's ride compensated albeit by the slimmest of margins. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
TGJB--- If I may offer---Edgar Prado's ride on SARAVA in the 2002 Belmont. Not the fastest horse by any means, Prado saves ground on the inside after breaking from post #12 and accelerates just at the right time to get the jump on MEDAGLIA D'ORO. I do not think that Prado ever received the recognition that he deserved for this one. The main story was the McPeek losing HARLAN's Hby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm--- The traffic (Matriarch field of 14) certainly did not hurt HH on Sunday. Again, it's amazing she closed in :22 while weaving in and out. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Michael D-- I was at Belmont for both of her efforts in the U.S. Her first try in September was a nice prep in the Noble Damsel---she made a quick mid-race move into a strong pace only to hang late. She toyed with allowance horses going 6f on turf in October where she was hopelessly blocked, but kicked in with a furious drive once cleared. I projected an improvement off of the 2 races in this coby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Michael D-- You're right about the one run closers kicking better going shorter, especially the classier ones. My thoughts were the :22 flat weaving through a full field was mind boggling. I needed DEDICATION in the one or 2 spot, so sour grapes are part of my speech here. ASFUF makes an even better point. How does one explain MUSICAL CHIMES? PS: Based on Frankel's comment re: Johby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Anyone care to explain what HEAT HAZE did yesterday? If my calculations are correct, she closed in 22 flat....and she was weaving in and out to avoid running over horses who were moving pretty well themselves. Not bad for a fily who was off the board in her last two races, had a long year, was cutting back from two races at a mile and a quarter, and showed several slow works going in. Frankelby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I also had QUEST at Saratoga. He's talented but lacks the determination to win. His connections and backers were fortunate that EA came out. The DQ was justified, but I still think QUEST never goes by if both run a straight course. They should retire him now. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm-- Enjoy the holiday. Hopefully you do not have to spend Thursday at your in-laws like I do. But I'll have visions of the Clarke Hdcap. (wide open now that MDO is staying home) and the Cigar Mile/Remsen/Demoiselle (does Congaree come back strong after the BC gut wrenching effort?), not to mention the Hollywood Turf Festival, and that will get me through it. The racing gets a liby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
gowand-- It's funny that you mention Shug; he's clean and having trouble keeping up. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Chuckles-- Another issue is the greed to have year round racing. I'll use the Aqueduct inner track circuit as an example. I find it amusing when certain trainers who I have not seen or heard from suddenly come out of the shadows at this time of the year in NY and bat .500. (e.g Frank Labocetta). No one can convince me otherwise that NYRA doesn't look the other way so that their 9 a dby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Just read where both SIGHTSEEK and MEDAGLIA D'ORO are not running at CD.....hmmm. I wonder if MIDAS EYES skips the Cigar Mile. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
TGJB-- Terrific Cup analysis. However again the "Goddess of Wagering" finds a way to punish me. I did not particularly care for BOWMAN MILL. After watching MACAW race at Aqueduct hours earlier, I was convinced that the Canada race was filled with overrated animals. Not to say that this group was much better, but why take 9-5 on this guy shipping west after 3 forward moves. I likedby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Chuckles--- I know I'm past posting here; I rather play against the BC dirt runners in November and December. They tend to have a better chance of bouncing. The turf horses seem to hold it together at least one more race. No matter. I tossed BIEN NICOLE from the outside post so what do I know. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I guess someone really liked the 3. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Michael D-- They should make the Turf Cup a $62,500 optional claimer. I may play HATIF in that one just so that I don't kick myself for the following reason: I had PRODIGUS (obviously a G1 winner in Brazil) at 53-1 in an optional claimer two weeks ago at CD only to watch him get beat by 2 noses for all the $$$. Terry Thompson rode him that day ( I use the word "rode" loosely in tby jbelfior - Ask the Experts