tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post6873930937185033555..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Dirt on the Dirt MileAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-55196745808552055022008-10-21T17:44:00.000-04:002008-10-21T17:44:00.000-04:00The BC could do itself a favor by moving from FRI-...The BC could do itself a favor by moving from FRI-SAT to SAT-SUN (Juv Turfs, F&M Sprint, Turf Sprint, Plodders Marathon, and Dirt Mile ought to be relegated to SUN). Perhaps they fear competition from the NFL. However, the bigger issue is obviously work, for those still gainfully employed in this stellar economy. As a huge fan of the game, I take the Oaks + the Friday before the BC, which is now the first day of the BC, off. In a perfect world, I'd take Thursday as well--imagine that conversation with the boss. Not happening. <BR/><BR/>It's easy to wager via the internet (or internets as G-Dubs like to call "them"), and watch your favorite NFL team with the 45 minutes of downtime between each race.<BR/><BR/>Insofar as the banter over the Marathon is concerned, the beauty of the BC and handicapping as a whole is the prudent punter is able to pick and choose their spots from a huge menu of daily races. Each person has specific strengths and weaknesses and should only place wagers with strong opinions. I have very little opinion of the Marathon and will preserve capital for a more compelling race, but to each their own.<BR/><BR/>Good luck and good racingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-32443695280251560512008-10-21T10:24:00.000-04:002008-10-21T10:24:00.000-04:00Calling a mile and a half race "The Marathon" is a...Calling a mile and a half race "The Marathon" is an insult to the breed. Should be 2 miles, or more. The Jockey Club Gold Cup used to be run at 2 miles on the dirt before the speed freaks took over the breeding sheds. So, shorter distances on synthetic surfaces to accomodate the genetically inferior breed. How do we get out of this box? /S/greenmtnpunterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-70172797793868065902008-10-21T09:25:00.000-04:002008-10-21T09:25:00.000-04:00Who the hell said I would be NY Showcase day? Eve...Who the hell said I would be NY Showcase day? Everyone has their own wagering strategy, mine is to wait for good stakes races with good competition and betting opportunities. The Turf Sprint and Marathon offer none of that.<BR/><BR/>And yes, if my firm will give me off Friday afternoon to play the races, I will be ecstatic. I'm not exactly counting on it. It's tough when you have a job.El Angelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145024095815950963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-86449490223174901462008-10-21T07:24:00.000-04:002008-10-21T07:24:00.000-04:00>>Finally, we live in a new world where day ...>>Finally, we live in a new world where day of week/time of day is irrelevant.<BR/><BR/>Oh, OK, I guess everyone can tell that to their bosses on Friday. Thanks for letting us know.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-63172871191577513232008-10-21T03:03:00.000-04:002008-10-21T03:03:00.000-04:00you guys will bet ny showcase day but not the bc m...you guys will bet ny showcase day but not the bc marathon or sprint. Get over yourselves. And STOP complaining about a name of a horse race - you "sound" INSANE! Finally, we live in a new world where day of week/time of day is irrelevant. WAKE UP, it's 2008Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-34292856779781710392008-10-20T23:02:00.000-04:002008-10-20T23:02:00.000-04:00The turf sprint can be fun at Santa Anita. That d...The turf sprint can be fun at Santa Anita. That doesn't mean it's worth spending a minute on handicapping. And the Marathon might be tactically interesting. That also doesn't mean it's worth handicapping.<BR/><BR/>A key element of wagering and handicapping in horse racing, IMO, is that a race is decipherable and has some amount of logic to its running and results. Neither of these contests will have any. I'd rather save the money I would have bet on these affairs and instead bet double on the Classique.El Angelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145024095815950963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-73109557734507540872008-10-20T22:29:00.000-04:002008-10-20T22:29:00.000-04:00>>The marathon is really what thoroughbreds ...>>The marathon is really what thoroughbreds were "bred" for.<BR/><BR/>Not these days, not in this country in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>>>The biggest issue I have with the entire 14 race card, aside from the pure girth, is why on earth the Filly and Mare Sprint is at 7F while the Sprint is 6F. Can anyone tell me why this is the case?<BR/><BR/>Ah yes, I was just asking that question today myself. One knowledgeable gentleman guessed that it was simply to have a seven furlong race in the mix. I was thinking that the powers at be are concerned about injuries in the more intense six furlong race. I do recall once some discussion of changing the Sprint to seven furlongs following a stretch during which there were a couple of breakdowns......not sure if I'm recalling this correctly..Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-85151871484937590822008-10-20T22:23:00.000-04:002008-10-20T22:23:00.000-04:00The Pro-Ride Plodders Sled Marathon is a complete ...The Pro-Ride Plodders Sled Marathon is a complete pass. I like the Turf Sprint on the 6.5F downhill course with a legitimate chance for a big price, especially if some legit speed draws an outside post.....The biggest issue I have with the entire 14 race card, aside from the pure girth, is why on earth the Filly and Mare Sprint is at 7F while the Sprint is 6F. Can anyone tell me why this is the case?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-61173539954929238832008-10-20T19:11:00.000-04:002008-10-20T19:11:00.000-04:00The marathon is really what thoroughbreds were "br...The marathon is really what thoroughbreds were "bred" for. It will be a beutiful tactical race. As for the turf sprint -- always a fun race a SA. I do not understand your thinking. Finally, the fact that the Championship is on Pro-ride does not make it any less of a Championship, ie a superbowl on artificial turf--although I will argue the Pro-ride is closer and BETTER as opposed to artificial turf. Now when you guys start advocating artificial turf instead of grass you can count me out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-91490418246267081742008-10-20T18:16:00.000-04:002008-10-20T18:16:00.000-04:00I haven't looked at this race yet, but I wholly ag...I haven't looked at this race yet, but I wholly agree with the part about skipping the Turf Sprint and Marathon altogether. This is the part that the BC Braintrust didn't quite get---not all of us are degenerate gamblers who will pluck down $$ on whatever they put on Saturday and will just bet more on Friday. I enjoy playing the best races, and would play Saturday twice as heavily if the 3 girls' races were being run. I'm divinely curious to see how much (or little) play the first 2-3 races get.El Angelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14145024095815950963noreply@blogger.com