tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post7390457151841965311..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Here's Some Cold FactsAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-4786384109042158302007-04-18T13:46:00.000-04:002007-04-18T13:46:00.000-04:00Robin, Derby's without enough pace are few and far...Robin, Derby's without enough pace are few and far between, and if you feel strongly about it then you should play the presumed front runner a la War Emblem.<BR/><BR/>Don't think this will be the fastest pace in history, but it should be quick enough for HS and SD.<BR/><BR/>Good to see the JV rule gathering steam, he is so overrated.<BR/><BR/>Has Todd had more than 50 starts? If so there is just as much reason to toss all of his charges as there is to toss Curlin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-45860980875709019622007-04-18T00:22:00.000-04:002007-04-18T00:22:00.000-04:00Jeff, you just illustrated the arbitrariness of th...Jeff, you just illustrated the arbitrariness of the no racing at 2 rule. Not racing at 2 is NOT the same as not banging heads with good horses. They are two different things. Curlin happens to be an example of both, and the latter, that is Curlin's easy competition thus far IS a good reason to chuck him. <BR/><BR/>But, like you, I do not see a standout. I think that if CQ and Hard Spun had raced again, they might have been the standouts, but absent more info, who knows how much conditioning they will get in 6 or 8 weeks. I will toss CQ due to the Velazquez factor. The last time I bet on his mount in a Breeders Cup or Triple Crown race was BC 2005, where he was winless, as he has been in those events ever since. I believe in Hard Spun and perhaps Scat Daddy because I do not think there will be enough pace to throw the race to the closers. And because of that, if Curlin gets lucky, he will do well also.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-54596098286330810932007-04-17T23:44:00.000-04:002007-04-17T23:44:00.000-04:00i agree with lenny. this is not a case of an arbi...i agree with lenny. this is not a case of an arbitrary trend without a rationale, like picking a derby winner with three syllables in his name. there is, presumably, some value in having a strong foundation, in having banged heads with some decent horses in decent-sized fields as preparation. <BR/><BR/>the only reason i'd give even the slightest thought to supporting Curlin is because absolutely no one in this field leaps out to me as a standout. Street Sense looked poised to blow them away in the stretch, and if he had done so he'd have been my horse. so while i'm still inclined to treat Curlin as a bet-against, i sure would feel a lot better about it if there were an alternative that i could get excited about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-40527205965728092342007-04-17T22:26:00.000-04:002007-04-17T22:26:00.000-04:00Curlin also only has 3 lifetime starts. Regret is...Curlin also only has 3 lifetime starts. Regret is the last horse to win off only 3 lifetime starts in 1915. Combine this stat with no juvenile campaign and you have a horse with very litte foundation. Maybe he is truely a freak and can overcome these historical trends, but I will pay to find out, he will not be on top any of my tickets.<BR/><BR/>LennyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-83636212836980827652007-04-17T20:18:00.000-04:002007-04-17T20:18:00.000-04:00With such scant evidence, it is wrong rule out Cur...With such scant evidence, it is wrong rule out Curlin on the basis of his not having raced at 2. This article says most were longshots anyway. How many exhibited his form and performance, whether or not they raced at 2 years old? Probably none. I'd rather throw out Street Sense for trying to push Calvin Bo-rail over to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-15024155923620362792007-04-17T18:29:00.000-04:002007-04-17T18:29:00.000-04:00Interesting article, but I think Finley missed Str...Interesting article, but I think Finley missed Strodes Creek, the one horse since 1955 who didn't run at two and finished second in the Derby (to Go for Gin in 1994). Coaltown falls outside of this time frame, but he was also a strong second to Citation in 1948 after getting a late start to his Hall of Fame career.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-92119391961570340982007-04-17T17:45:00.000-04:002007-04-17T17:45:00.000-04:00"It's nearly impossible to make a case for Giacomo..."It's nearly impossible to make a case for Giacomo" oops. Interesting article however. Thanks for researching it. byanoseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com