While you guys are going on and on about nothing (lost in the fog), this colt ran six in 1:07:01 on cruise control.
Do you think maybe this is the best 3 yr. old in the country?
BA:
With apologies to Harry Callahan, I give owner/trainer much credit for knowing their horse\'s limitations, and being immune to Derby fever.
Richiebee
I couldn\'t agree more, which is why they\'re easy to root for. Resisted temptation to sell the horse or ask him to do something he probably can\'t do.
Good for them.
I\'m not so sure he can\'t stretch out,and this 3yo crop is average at best as of May 15th(including Afleet Alex)
Start him off in a one turner at Belmont,and go from there.If he has limitations no harm no foul-he can always go back to sprinting.If he can\'t handle the one turn 1 1/16th or 1 1/8th no reason to even think about a two turn route.They\'ll at least try to stretch him out-count on it.
His quality sprinting is not in doubt. More evidence that Aqueduct was very hot late Wood Day in my opinion.
Post Edited (05-15-05 09:42)
That decision was made weeks ago. He\'s a sprinter and a sprinter he will remain. Probable next start - Riva Ridge on Belmont Day.
This horse could definitely stretch out in my opinion. He has been very rateable in his races, always running sensible fractions and exploding home.
Of course, he\'ll need to avoid trying it in a race like the Derby where most of the field wanted the lead.
I live in the SF Bay Area. I have seen this horse run locally and via sattelite. Awe inspiring for sure. The best thing about the story is the management of the animal.
Trainer Ghilcrest is very carefully spotting his races. In this morning\'s SF Chronicle (which seldom does features on horses) there were three stories devoted to LITF and even a full column from Scott Ostler. A documentarian has secured millions in funding to film a feature-length documetary film on the story of Lost in the Fog and his connections, namely 85 year old owner Harry Aileo.
The Chronicle reports that LITF\'s next start will be in the Riva Ridge at Belmont on June 11th. The next target is the Grade 1 King\'s Bishop Aug. 27th at Spa. As for the Breeder\'s Cup, that\'s an option, but Ghilcrest also states they will campaign the horse as a 4 year old next year, so they\'re \"not in a hurry to get caught up in any Breeder\'s Cup Hype.\"
Why in the world would they stretch this horse out? Carefully spotted graded sprints throughout the year are what they want and what they will do. Imagine that...a sensible owner, a sensible trainer and a well planned campaign to keep the horse fresh and fit.
Meanwhile, the rich and powerful and juiced, are tripping over themselves for a chance to ruin their steeds on NBC Television.
Lost in the Fog - A breath of fresh air!!!!
Why strecth him out? The money is in distance races, lots more money. Even if you aren\'t in it for money, wouldn\'t you just want to know for sure he couldn\'t do it? I know I would.
Too bad Silent Witness lost, this could have been THE match race!
Uncle Buck wrote:
\"Why in the world would they stretch this horse out? Carefully spotted graded sprints throughout the year are what they want and what they will do. Imagine that...a sensible owner, a sensible trainer and a well planned campaign to keep the horse fresh and fit.
Meanwhile, the rich and powerful and juiced, are tripping over themselves for a chance to ruin their steeds on NBC Television.\"
If your type of thinking started permeating the horsey landscape, the Ky Derby would quickly drop to a new Classic distance. \"Can this sprinter actually go a grueling 8f?\" After all, most start out as good sprinters, why try longer distances?
For god\'s sake show me where these rich blah blah\'s are tripping over their feet to ruin their horses? Show me one instance, damn it. Statements as yours are a disservice to the sport and industry.
beyerguy wrote:
\"Too bad Silent Witness lost, this could have been THE match race!\"
Match race for what?!? Sprint on the dirt, a romp by US runners.
Sorry. But to equate Silent Witness\'s streak with Classic winners Ribot, Citation and Cigar is preposterous.
I meant it would be a lot better than a Ghostzapper - Silent Witness match race, that is all.
I would think winning 17 on the turf is tougher than doing it on the dirt. I wonder what the longest win streak is on the lawn?
...and don\'t forget Hallowed Dreams!
gvido
You only have to go back to last year for a fine example - Smarty Jones. He extended himself past the point his body could endure. When they went past the finish in the Belmont I said to the person standing next to me, \"we may never see that horse again\".
I\'m afraid we may be about to see the same thing with Afleet Alex. He ran his race and was right there at the 8th pole. Yet, despite the fact that they came home in 53 & change (disgraceful) he couldn\'t do it. The horse was spent. The owner-trainer response? Run him back in two weeks.
It is indisputable that American horses are bred for speed and have been for years yet we ask them to run beyond their breeding. Why? Ego. To the owner, trainer, jockey & even horseplayer the horse is just a vehicle. The only people who really care about the horses are the grooms.
beyerguy:
Ribot never touched a dirt course! 16 starts 16 wins including the Arc twice. Would he ever have lost? Who knows?
Hallowed Dreams, puhleeze. Most of her wins vs La bred mules.
Any streak is difficult to string together and a dash of luck is needed. Giving them the same accolades? Surely you jest.