Is The Pletcher Comet Fading?

[Silver Charm]

Guy built an empire but underachieved in the Triple Crown. Now a lot of the Winstar babies are going to Baffert. Paul Pompa moved to Chad Brown. He was supposed to be quiet with his Babies at the Spa but lite it up once Fall Belmont began. Never saw it happen. Had nothing on Breeders Cup. That 2YO Turf Sprinter doesnt count.

So now with Audible looking meeeh yesterday what is else is there. He still has St Elias and Starlight. Deep pockets and others but let\'s face it this guys stock is way down. His still does exceptionally well in the Spring. And then.....

[Fairmount1]

Love the \"guys stock is way down\" argument but not buying it.  

Maybe he isn\'t doing something he used to....Maybe he forgot how to train.  He certainly \"forgot\" how to make them all break like a shot at Saratoga as 2yo\'s on debut.....maybe that\'s b/c the stock is way down too.....but I\'m not buying that one either.

EDIT:  And maybe he isn\'t doing something many others are now doing that mitigated whatever training edge he did have....and maybe it is something he isn\'t willing to do.

[Silver Charm]

Ok fair enough Fairmont. I purposely didn\'t go there. Interestingly were all in there and now they\'re not. A guy like Pompa has $Millions of his own money and has said good riddance and moved to whom with very little fanfare?

And yes I do remember the days here at GP about 10 years ago where every 3YO drew off in the stretch and every said \"see there is the EPO\"  

He won the Wood last year. The Arky Derby and Fla Derby. Actually Fla Derby back to back with a Derby win. And then things fall apart. He has lost some money and owners. He has lost an edge.

[Dana666]

a good test of the theory will be to see how he does in january, february and march at gulfstream, esp. with maidens--he used to be money with a first time starter there, but saratoga dispelled that. gulfstream winter has always been one of his strongest meets. i don\'t think i\'d be burying him just yet though there is no question brown has moved ahead of everyone, save baffert. scary to think what brown can accomplish as he just turned 40 yesterday--his best years as a trainer are ahead. baffert is in another solar system--his horses outperform any and all other trainers in the sport\'s history. it is possible tp is on the downside arc of his success but let\'s see. audible ran on a weird track and had a rough trip; i wouldn\'t downgrade him too much though i don\'t know who he\'s running against in the pegasus\' cheers to all & happy holidays  december 26 will be here soon!

[johnnym]

He is a smart guy for sure
Could he possibly be reinventing him self and taking things a bit slower with the babies?
Other than Baffert who has shown they can train a horse to come back in 2 weeks?
Time will tell.

[Boscar Obarra]

A bit slower would not translate  to being  inept out of the gate.

 Your job is to observe and play accordingly

 You\'re probably better off doing that than asking him personally what\'s wrong. He\'s liable to tell you \"nothing\", and you rip up tickets.

[Tavasco]

The idea that TAP may re-invent himself strikes me as plausible. What does one aspire to, after being the preeminent North American trainer year after year?

He might make a good national commissioner for the sport but probably is not affordable. He could branch out to new markets such as Asia or Australia. Then there is also breeding and syndication. All in all he seems an accomplished manager and organization builder, skills applicable to many endeavors.

Lastly Audible s/b a good price in the Pegasus as much as I don\'t care for him right now. I\'m not giving him any excuses. The long lay off then flop is a bright yellow flag for me.