tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post7700254334191942095..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Useful Prep for Union RagsAlan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-92194666180512164922012-04-02T21:35:22.144-04:002012-04-02T21:35:22.144-04:00Union Rags highest Beyer is a 95.He's a comple...Union Rags highest Beyer is a 95.He's a complete throwout!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-33440770481946671192012-04-02T14:57:07.277-04:002012-04-02T14:57:07.277-04:00I think it was a good prep. Ultimately though you...I think it was a good prep. Ultimately though you've got a horse who has a lifetime best BSF of 95 and he's going to be 3-1 or something when the gates open. Then again, I feel as though Beyer has adjusted his entire figure scale downward from the way it was a decade ago. Nate's Mineshaft ties the FG track record at 9f on Saturday on a day when the track wasn't seemingly that glib and he gets a 113. Now before you go into comparisons about how the weak winner of the Louisiana Derby got a 91 and it makes sense, I think the entire scale has been shifted downward. It's not even possible to get a 120 beyer routing anymore unless you win by 20 lengths and break the track record by two seconds, I guess. Also, betting on three year old races at this time of year is pretty much a waste of time. -jpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-136981560097967622012-04-02T10:42:14.399-04:002012-04-02T10:42:14.399-04:00Regarding the Futures Pool I simply do not underst...Regarding the Futures Pool I simply do not understand taking 7-2 on anyone when recent history shows the favorite going off sometimes as high as 5-1.<br /><br />The last few years the HIGHEST price on the board is rarely more than 30-1 so the play in these things is to dabble with longer prices in hopes they make the gate and provide value.<br /><br />I have Sabercat, who looked like crap in his first 2012 start but will almost certainly make the gate having the earnings already. Hoping for a big run in his final prep.<br /><br />My buddy had Take Charge Indy at long odds from one of the earlier pools so was very excited to see him wire the field and qualify, not that I like him at all in the Derby but he has value. The same guy had Monarchos at 56-1? in the first pool that year.<br /><br />7-2 makes zero sense, but to each his own.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-31988895585818502592012-04-02T10:34:34.820-04:002012-04-02T10:34:34.820-04:00I was thinking the same thing about UR during the ...I was thinking the same thing about UR during the final furlong, another logical favorite losing its prep and thereby increasing value while the next latest thing takes all the money on Derby Day.<br /><br />One caveat was his lack of "turn of foot" Saturday. <br /><br />I realize it was a slowish pace but once clear he never really exploded the way you expect to see in a G1 horse. This can be deadly in a 20 horse field when holes open only for an instant. Will need to watch all his replays before I jump on the band wagon.<br /><br />I hate Leparoux in a big field, he does have a tendency to take back too far and prefers wide to rail, not a recipe for success. <br /><br />Patience is a virtue on turf but a dirt race, even at 10f, requires being in the race a little earlier, especially in a big field. <br /><br />I fear they will regret losing Castellano as much as he regrets losing them.Figlessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-29261981231897702522012-04-02T09:15:51.931-04:002012-04-02T09:15:51.931-04:00Monarchos raced twice at 2 then had 3 starts prior...Monarchos raced twice at 2 then had 3 starts prior to Derby as a 3yo. The Florida Derby was a stunner. Too bad there's no video of it online.Screen Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179762890362833315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-16473109903614364302012-04-01T22:00:13.072-04:002012-04-01T22:00:13.072-04:00What kind of foundation did Manarchos have?What kind of foundation did Manarchos have?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-71542925164064754432012-04-01T16:52:22.699-04:002012-04-01T16:52:22.699-04:00I don't disagree with what you say, but these ...I don't disagree with what you say, but these were both Dubai-based Godolphin horses.Alan Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-23762674448859134142012-04-01T15:22:36.300-04:002012-04-01T15:22:36.300-04:00How can you say that since drugs are not allowed a...How can you say that since drugs are not allowed at Dubai the breakdowns there must not be related? Part of the drug use issue seems to be from the extended use of a horses career. Just because a horse isn't given drugs before Dubai, doesn't mean the accumulated effects of drugs can be ruled out in breakdowns at Dubai. Masking injuries & pain, strain on internal organs, these things can be cumulative.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com