Yes Means.....

[Fairmount1]

On the morning of the Rebel, I went to Oaklawn to see the morning workouts which start at 7 am sharp there.  During the next hour, several people came and went but I was waiting for one person.  Specifically, I was very interested in Creator for the Rebel.  

Steve A. comes by on his pony enjoying the morning.  It was chilly that morning.  I don\'t know him whatsoever and he wouldn\'t know me beyond being suspicious that everyone is a PETA undercover spy to trap him most likely.  

I asked him, \"Do you like Creator?  Is he going to be a nice horse?\"  He didn\'t even look at me.  His pony continued walking past and after about a one second pause that seemed long enough that he might ignore me he simply replied, \"Yes.\"  

That was it.  

His lack of enthusiasm bothered me.  In the Rebel, you may recall Cupid wired the field that day and I didn\'t use Creator or Cupid.  Fast forward to Ark Derby Day, and in the closing race of the meet at 1 3/4 miles, Steve A. has a horse in the race getting hammered after Creator\'s victory aided by Gettysburg ridiculous pace setting journey just happened.  I\'ve never seen him this excited.  Joking, jumping, smiling, laughing, getting joy from the fellow trainers such as Jinks Fires.  Again, I didn\'t use Creator and I don\'t know Steve A but his exuberance was more than I had seen.  Understandably, neither he nor Ricardo could care less about that closing race they were so excited and did not win.    

I didn\'t use Creator in the Derby either.  Hall of Fame bound this year, Steve A. has won two classics now I believe.  I didn\'t have faith in this one like I should have.  Normally, I find this type of horse earlier in the spring to chase all the way to the Belmont with success.  I liked him more before I talked to the trainer than after.  Trust your  own handicapping instincts more than what others may tell you is a lesson I\'ve learned too many times, especially if you don\'t know the person giving you the information.  But I\'ve learned it once again having missed today and the Ark Derby.  For weeks I\'ve touted Destin and didn\'t end up using him or Creator whatsoever in a profitable manner.  Back to the decision board of handicapping for me over next several days.    
 

Two points of note on the seminar:  TG had a feeling Kiaran may have a breakout weekend was my impression but Jerry wasn\'t certain and between Kareena and Frosted, despite TG being against Frosted, KM had two near track records.  And second, I was surprised in the dirt routes the seminars didn\'t go into the breeding at all for the 1.5 mile races today.  That angle wasn\'t the key but that was just something I expected as this race it seems to matter more than others including the Derby.  Miff has noted many times the Derby can go to sires that lean sprint oriented but the Belmont I don\'t believe that to be true.  

Bad day financially for me with a few poor decisions when I had the right opinions.  Better days ahead:  Downs After Dark next Saturday at Churchill, Del Mar in July, and Travers weekend all live ahead to escape the dungeon named Fairmount Park.

Let me know if any of you will be at Churchill next Saturday by private message.  I really like the Downs After Dark nights as I feel that it is similar to the night racing of decades gone by that people used to enjoy before simulcast existed.    

Wrongly, will you be there?  I owe you at least a handshake and a drink.

[jbelfior]

Asmussen one of the biggest db\'s I have ever met in the sports world barely nosed out by Phil Jackson for the top slot.

Pains me to see that ah win anything. Creator a plodding mule who got a break today when the one race in 12 weeks caught up with Destin.


Good luck,
Joe B.

[jerry]

Plodding mule. What does that say about the 12 who finished behind him.