I know there are going to be some of you who scream "Where's your proof?" I will answer your questions before you ask....I have no proof and obviously neither does anyone else. But more than a few eyebrows were raised on Saturday after Frankel's charges, aside from MEDAGLIA D'ORO who is a terrific racehorse that requires no "assistance," crashed and burned. Mr.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Chuckles--- I agree. FUNNY CIDE won the 2 more important races. I would have given EMPIRE MAKER a slight nod if he had won the Jim Dandy. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Classhandicapper-- I wonder what happens to a good number of 3yos that prep for the classics at Santa Anita. Silver Charm-- Good point. You read right into what the track maintenance guy was saying. My feeling is that they can even things out despite temps in the 90's, however they lose control should it get too windy. I'm starting to think that horses that have experience over botby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm--- That's from the mouth of the SA track superintendent. Seems that they spend an inordinate amount of time during the hot weather watering the track to keep it even. When it goes over 90, they sometimes go around 3-4 times during the card. If it gets windy, the water just dries too quickly and watering it is an effort in futility. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I also heard that the weather forecast was revised and Saturday may be the hottest day of the week. If it stays hot and then gets windy, speed will be tough to run down.It's never easy, is it??? PS: One suprising fact: no mention of VOODOO DANCER as one of the top contenders in any web site or paper that I have seen. If this mare had a prep race , she'd go 5-2. I will not mind taking 8by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
What's HIGH CHAPARRAL's chances this year if ol' Mickey decides to drop back several times on the turn like he did last year? Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
bdsheets--- I respect all opinions regardless if I agree with them or not. I certainly like your idea of how the Classic may set up. HOWEVER, why all the fuss on these posts with DYNEVER. I'm still waiting for him to win a race of any consequence and am still waiting for him to beat a horse of the quality of a PERFECT DRIFT or MEDAGLIA D'ORO. What am I missing with this colt?? PS: 7-by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Rich-- Not too loud on CENTURY CITY. Seriously, he does have an interesting pattern. Some additional pluses; top performance ratings are over the SA turf, indicated strong 3yo class with 2nd to the "ROCK"; out of the Danzig line which has done well at 1 mile on the grass; second start off the layoff---check out archived BC Thoro sheets with Val Royal and War Chant. Good Luck, joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Anyone know if Midas Eyes's long vacation was by design?? Joe Bby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Lenny's new book: "The Odds on Supah Blitz Must Be Crazy". Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
FastEddie--- I agree with your thoughts on CUVEE, especially at low odds. After two huge performance numbers, where does he go from here? I guess TGB can shed some thought on that question in his seminar. You'll certainly get a nice price on 'Tiger in the Classic. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Fast Eddie-- Pretty interesting selections. Although still a maiden, HOLLYWOOD STORY has a healthy pattern and perhaps is sitting on a much improved effort. Hopefully she draws well because I think she can hit the board at a huge price. Juvenile Colts is wide open. VALID VIDEO certainly a contender with his pattern. There's a lot of horses in the Sprint that you can eliminate just by goby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
beyerguy-- I agree. Frankel practically begged the owner not to supplement. SIGHTSEEK couldn't warm her up. Distaff is wide open. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Any chance of wagering against a 5yo mare who just did not want to run anymore went out the window today when it was announced AZERI was out of the Distaff. Condolences to those who bet her in the Futures. Next time stick to improving 3 and 4 yos. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Empire Maker-- I personally have a hard time translating a performance like that in a 6f maiden race at Laurel into a BC Juvenile Fillies contender, especially considering the filly's connections. Besides,I always thought the Juvenile Fillies race was an excellent time to grab a beer (or two if you already blew the Distaff) and a burger. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm--- Assuming that TAKE CHARGE LADY is fully over her problems and taking into consideration that she goes into this year's BC as a stronger 4yo, she is interesting to say the least. A nice inside draw and you are looking at starting your BC day rather nicely. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
MEMO TO ALL VOLPONI FANS: If you did not attend the wedding, don't bother going to the wake. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm--- Every dog has its day. Eventualy a Bud Longshot was going to come in, this time barely. Cesar Romero can read the form better than Mike Battaglia. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Same here. Good job, THOROGRAPH. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Gentlemen--- You guys have given the PA DERBY more press than it deserves. Perhaps everyone here can agree to agree that we horseplayers all have our opinions, some of which are more educated than others. Let's just leave it at that. We have the Breeders Cup on the horizon and unless anyone feels that the Classic winner is coming out of the PA. Derby, let's put this space to better usby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Don't you just want to scream whenever these geniuses come up with the Bud Longshot that's 3-1 on the board. My nightmare is having them pick my betting selection as their BL. It's like the scene from "Bronx Tale" when all the gangsters rip up their tickets while their horse is 5 in front because they hear Louie the Mush rooting for the same horse. It's sad if you rby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Silver Charm--- Don't get my blood boiling. I cringe when guys like Mike Battaglia and the likes are paid to do what they do. I call them the MOTOs (masters of the obvious). Randy Moss is another one. After TAKE CHARGE LADY won the Spinster last year this guy was drooling over his future BC Distaff score. Now TCL wins the Spinster (while obviously a bit short) and this guys is saying thingby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
TGJB--- GREAT CHOICE FOR ROTW. I already had my strategy outlined , but this now reinforces it. I think this race was decided when EXCESSIVEPLEASURE and CHRISTINE's OUTLAW drew the inside. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
All very good points on the subject of the BC sprint. I had MEAFARA both times without hitting the exacta. No MEAFARAs or SAFELY KEPTs this year. A friend of mine plays Santa Anita and is familiar with the track nuances.He says that 6f stake races at Santa Anita are more likely to be won by the classy "power" sprinter who would excel up to a mile. A horse like GULCH or AFLEET or GRAND Sby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Frost King--- HARLAN'S HOLIDAY and MOON BALLAD just to name a couple. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
HP-- I respect your opinion on the Euros, however I need to see more success on the tighter, harder turf courses such as at Hollywood, Gulfstream, and Santa Anita. Only the real special turf runners that get sent to California acclimate right away. I like the idea of the BC at the Meadowlands. Everyone will be glowing in the dark and we can call the big race " The Carcinogen Cup."by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
HP-- Unless it's a Group 1 stretchout sprinter at 45-1 odds (LAST TYCOON), I want no part of them. That being said, one of them will pop up and make me sound foolish, but I would bet against it with both fists in the BC Turf. Good Luck, Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
Kev-- Anywhere but Woodbine. Joe B.by jbelfior - Ask the Experts
I agree with you assessment of the Euros chances on the SA turf course. That's fine with me. Horses like SULAMAANI and whomever the Fabres and O'Briens of the world are bringing over will be overbet. Good Luck to them going first time over that turf course with zero speed in their arsenal. As for MINESHAFT, that horse likes to run wide. Belmont was perfect for his style and was pure Neby jbelfior - Ask the Experts
HP--- Was it SEA JEWEL??? As far as THUNDERELLO is concerned 'ol Scott Lake had him pretty "revved-up" for that one. One more thing about the Santa Anita grass course. Assuming it remains dry in So. Cal that week, I would prefer those who can be on the pace or just off of it. I remember when LURE won over there 10 years ago, the top 3 finishers in the race were all 1-2-3 around thby jbelfior - Ask the Experts