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Monday, November 17, 2008

Wasted Chance

- Disappointing Sunday for Kasey K. King Mobay's race on Saturday was one thing; an ambitious placing, a shot that the stable could afford to take given its recent successes. But Rap Tale's race at Philly Park was a real opportunity - a weak second level allowance race in which she appeared to fit, even given her recent lackluster Beyers. With just six opponents, and an unbelievable $48,000 purse - just can't get over the purses there, especially given the level of competition - it was the kind of race in which a stable like ours needs to make hay in order to stay ahead in this competitive business. Trainer Bruce Brown felt that the three-year old daughter of Tale of the Cat was doing well and was primed for the spot

So when the gate - a replacement wheeled in after the regular one failed, thus causing a long delay following the second race - finally opened, and Rap Tale took a hop and got uncharacteristically left at the gate (broke very poorly, according to the chart), it was an opportunity missed. Her 4th place finish was worth $2,880, enough to cover the van ride but not all that much else.

On Saturday at Aqueduct, Bob made his case to our trainer to nominate Joaquin Memphis for a state-bred stakes this weekend; there's no nomination fee, so it wouldn't hurt to take a peek at who else is entered. But the horse is now entered for a starters allowance on Wednesday, so I guess we know who had the last word in this case. The race is for NY-breds who have started for a claiming price - any price! So even a horse like Empire Classic winner / Stuyvesant runner-up Stud Muffin would be eligible here.

Stud Muffin won't run after his placing on Saturday of course, but the race has drawn R Clear Victory, who won the Kings Point here last spring. Also entered is Be Bullish, a horse who I just don't very much like at all. He knocked me out of a SHOWdown contest in March, and destroyed a Pick Three for me in his only win since then, on Nov 1. Here's another rich race - a $46,000 purse - and we've seen Bruce Brown move them up off the claim. Being realistic, perhaps second place and its $9200 share seems like a possibility here.

2 Comments:

Anonymous said...

yep just what I figured from you alan. ANOTHER LAME DUCK EXCUSE when it comes to Rap Tale. Oh but aren't you thrilled like last time when she got 4th at meadowlands and then you were gleaming with joy with the placing. According to your trainer she is always doing well. I told you your problem is putting her where she belongs. In the mean time thats all you are doing is wasting any good races she might have in her. This is why you are a bonifide LOSER

steve in nc said...

I'm all for discounting the usual lame excuses, like "didn't handle the track," "it was too cuppy," or "didn't like being on the inside," but getting left at the gate, unless it's habitual, is a legitimate excuse to me. If you want to see it as a lame excuse, OK, but what is a LAME DUCK excuse?

Speaking of which, what's the difference between a lame duck session of Congress and a regular session of Congress?

The duck.