tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post2382672244789367914..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Lights Still Shining at One OTBAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-60003174528010888512011-09-05T22:43:19.613-04:002011-09-05T22:43:19.613-04:00DP, $4 ain't much, but a winner's a winner...DP, $4 ain't much, but a winner's a winner.<br /><br />Alan, you sure picked the right time to head west. Saratoga ended with a splat, and I'm left with a feeling like that OTB photo, after having given back my earlier-meet winnings.<br /><br />I need a freshening and I'm taking a break from handicapping til BC time. Those fields of 7 NY Breds sprinting on turf (or rained off the turf) at Belmont will have to limp along without me.steve in nchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04061356872686618093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-53990232796941303122011-09-05T16:15:24.602-04:002011-09-05T16:15:24.602-04:00Del Mar - Race 6
#2 Lanida (5/2 ml)
I was extrem...Del Mar - Race 6<br /><br />#2 Lanida (5/2 ml)<br /><br />I was extremely impressed by this filly in her debut, and i firmly believe she would've won that day if not for some bonehead decision-making by the rider (in a related matter, note the switch to Talamo today). Here's what i wrote about her after the race in my horses to watch notes:<br /><br />3yo firster for Puype broke a tad awkwardly and then was immediately wrangled back to last by the rider (Quinonez), dropping some 10 lengths behind the early pace down the backstretch. Despite this, Quinonez remained still in the saddle, refusing to ask for any run until they approached the turn. Once asked, Lanida took off very strongly, looping around the field on the turn while of course giving up even more ground in the process. Leveled off beautifully into stretch and was coming very strongly, reaching out with big, powerful strides down the lane. Just had too much to do to catch the winner, but did end up second after the strong rally. Worth noting here that Puype is very strong with second-time starters, and there's no doubt in my mind that Lanida was much the best here. Figure to improve second time out for Puype (especially with a better ride), and should be very tough to handle next time out.<br /><br />Here's a replay of the race in question, so you can make up your own mind. Lanida is the #7 horse:<br /><br />http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/DMR/2011/8/6/4/race-4DiscreetPickshttp://www.discreetpicks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-692074761901487622011-09-05T10:24:43.623-04:002011-09-05T10:24:43.623-04:00jp - Either HDG or Blind Luck would have won the P...jp - Either HDG or Blind Luck would have won the P Ensign for fun, you are correct, BL should be aimed at the Classic.<br /><br />Wouldnt surprise me if no older male finishes in the Superfecta in the Classic.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-90551382444747220602011-09-04T08:59:54.922-04:002011-09-04T08:59:54.922-04:00Man, did you hear Durkin deadpan "the filly d...Man, did you hear Durkin deadpan "the filly did it" at the end of the Woodward? I think he realized just how crappy the older male handicap division is and it put her accomplishment in perspective. Though HDG is a very nice filly. I wonder if she'll go to the classic. The owners of Blind Luck have to be targeting the classic. She's one of the few horses in the country that can get 10f. Did you see the Personal Ensign? Ech. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-49947397202731756632011-09-04T01:26:25.657-04:002011-09-04T01:26:25.657-04:00I loved those OTBs. The scum element was astronom...I loved those OTBs. The scum element was astronomical. Alan, you're memory regarding Lil E Tee is slightly fuzzy. I believe he was 17-1 at Churchill. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-85766724371962226442011-09-03T16:50:46.517-04:002011-09-03T16:50:46.517-04:00valid point, any storefront in the city, if not se...valid point, any storefront in the city, if not secured, would soon be overun.<br /><br />And the bigget OTB in my hood remains vacant also, for the record, with a "for rent" sign on the front door.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-41311021572049948852011-09-03T06:01:57.321-04:002011-09-03T06:01:57.321-04:00I'm sure that if casinos and racetracks didn&#...I'm sure that if casinos and racetracks didn't have a security presence (men/women in uniform) they would soon be labeled sleazy.<br /><br />A uniform at an OTB would have eliminated the sleazy connotation.<br /><br />OTB's have incurred a bad reputation because money was not spent on security and maintenance; we all know where it went.wmcorrownoreply@blogger.com