tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post116234899404863124..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: The TurfAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-1162397953324727272006-11-01T11:19:00.000-05:002006-11-01T11:19:00.000-05:00Historically the Euros have an edge in the race, e...Historically the Euros have an edge in the race, even more pronounced at CD where Westerners in particular have fared poorly.<BR/><BR/>Consequently I am keying on Hurricane Run since he is the proven G1 animal. Reports have him arriving with Dapples which indicates he is doing well and helps me ignore the frequency of his recent races. (Btw, when did running frequently become a negative?) He is also the only entrant exiting the Arc, which has been the key Euro indication for success.<BR/><BR/>Scorpion has to be considered based on back class, although his condition certainly warrants question based on his lack of activity.<BR/><BR/>Red Rocks has been very consistant in G1 and G2 company while not breaking through to the win column but merits consideration at least in the exotics. Reports have him training impressively.<BR/><BR/>With English Channel and Cacique you are essentially splitting hairs, the latter seems to prefer the expected off turf condition a little more, and EC perhaps prefer it firm. I think they both handle the 12 furlongs fine. <BR/><BR/>Feeling here is these two remain a cut below the Euros. EC, as well at Better Talk Now, were handily defeated in last years running. The lack of a recent start by Cacique and the presence of the rabbit makes me lean toward EC if I have to chose head to head, but only for exotic purposes.<BR/><BR/>I love watching the gray CA runner TH approval come flying out of the clouds, but lack of success for West at CD and no non-Cali or off turf form forces me to leave off the ticket completely.<BR/><BR/>Will box the Euros, EC underneath, and maybe look for a huge ticket and throw Go Deputy under also if I have any money left by this point.<BR/><BR/>Mr. EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-1162359031905166572006-11-01T00:30:00.000-05:002006-11-01T00:30:00.000-05:00Intersting commments from Frankel regarding the gr...Intersting commments from Frankel regarding the ground conditions. I was reading an article about Ouija Board last night, and her travelling party (who had just arrived at Churchill) expressed almost gleeful pleasure over the "firm" conditions. Just goes to show you the differences between American and European ground conditions, i guess. It'll be interesting to read further comments throughout the week. <BR/><BR/>P.S. - It's true that Cacique was something of a second-level performer while based in France. He always ran well, but was unable to beat top-level performers such as Bago, despite having several oppurtunities to do so. And his improvement in America really walks a fine line, in my opinion. Has he really improved? Or is American grass competition just that much weaker? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. Just keep in mind that a reasonably strong American contingent last year (Shakespeare, English Channel) got bowled over by the Euros. That said, it's worth noting that the Euros aren't as strong this year, with Hurricane Run seemingly off-form of late, and the other big guns sitting this one out. Makes for a very interesting race. I'm attracted to the 3yo Red Rocks, mostly due to his good second behind the blossoming superstar Rail Link. I think there's every chance he runs a big race here, and the price figures to be right. As for Alan's take on the Caique/English Channel matchup, i don't necessarily disagree, but it's surely worth noting that English Channel beat him in their only race over the Churchill surface.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com