If they are going to beat EM it will probably be in the Wood

derby1592 · March 26, 2003, 08:23:27 PM

Frankel said his main Kentucky Derby hope, Florida Derby winner Empire Maker, came out of the race in excellent shape and will have his first workout this Saturday when he works in company with Medaglia d\'Oro. \"I\'m going to take it easy with him and give him only two breezes before the Wood Memorial,\" Frankel said. \"I want his peak performance to be on Derby Day.\"

Something to keep in mind for the Wood if you are brave enough to bet against a Frankel 3yo.

Chris

Silver Charm · March 28, 2003, 07:48:03 AM

Chris,

Compare Frankel\'s handling of Empire Maker and how Baffert is drilling Kafwain and Domestic Dispute.

Bafferts two horses may run well in the Derby but where will they be in Sept. I challenge someone to name a three year old he has had who was still running well by the time August ended.

If Empire Maker doesn\'t run great in the Wood it just means you will get a better price on him Derby Day.

Remember Secretariat lost the Wood.

OPM · March 28, 2003, 08:44:36 AM

I am the last person to defend Baffert but he knows his horses, remember, Point Given who two GI in August. Real Quiet and Congaree were given time off after the TC races. Baffert main goal every is the TC races and he does not worry where the horses will be in Sept. If you win 2/3 TC races you are most likely 3yr old champion and maybe horse of the year.

Silver Charm · March 28, 2003, 09:57:09 AM

You are correct about Point Given, but after the Travers he was retired. What I meant was when Aug 31 hits the calendar his 3YOs are gone. I don\'t think he has ever won a significant race with a 3YO after that date.

Chiefs Crown, Forty Niner even Winning Colors competed a lot as 3YO and were still running on Breeders Cup day.

Giants Causeway won what 5 Group 1s in a row and almost took the Breeders Cup.

How about Victory Gallop: The Triple Crown, Haskel, Travers and was still running on Breeders Cup Day.

I don\'t accuse him of over racing his horses(which he does), as much as he just can\'t give them the necessary level of training (otherwise referred to as Horsemanship) to stay fit and fresh at the same time.

Bafferts training reminds me of those football cards coaches use to tell them whether or not to go for two points. His card says todays work will either be 58, 1:10 4/5, or 1:23. I think he hangs it up on the wall of his tack room and throws a dart at it to tell him what the work will be.

Marc At · March 28, 2003, 09:57:18 AM

Silver Charm wrote:
\"If Empire Maker doesn\'t run great in the Wood it just means you will get a better price on him Derby Day.\"

Silver Charm, I\'ve gotten used to your sophisticated analysis of virtually any topic, so I\'m surprised to see you not dig any deeper here. If this horse runs fourth or better in the Wood (and he will) but doesn\'t win, it will be pronounced the perfect prep by just about every horseplayer in the country. He\'ll be a distinct underlay on Derby Day no matter what.

Silver Charm · March 28, 2003, 01:13:47 PM

Marc at wrote regarding Empire Maker,

\"He\'ll be a distinct underlay on Derby Day no matter what.\"

Marc At you are totally correct.

If he wins The Wood then he will probably be about 2-1 on Derby Day and an underlay.

If he runs second in The Wood then he will probably be about 7-2 on Derby Day and still an underlay.

If he runs fourth then all bets are off for me. I can\'t believe there are three horses in New York who can beat him. I\'m sure there will be a few show pool \"bridgejumpers\" who agree with me.

I would rather cash a ticket on a 7-2 underlay than a 2-1 underlay. The problem most handicappers will have is the old \"can\'t bet on him, but I can\'t bet against him\". However, it is the KY DERBY and that is not a race most people can say I\'ll pass. So you tell me how do play him?

Keeping in mind the fact the race is still about six weeks away and a lot can happen. Who knows maybe Baffert buys him and takes credit for training another Derby winner.

Silver Charm · April 01, 2003, 07:28:23 AM

Re: If they are going to beat EM it will probably be in the Wood.

Author: Silver Charm
Date: 03-28-03 16:13

Silver Charm wrote:

\"Keeping in mind the fact the race is still about six weeks away and a lot can happen. Who knows maybe Baffert buys him and takes credit for training another Derby winner.

\"http://www.globeform.com/

I don\'t want to say that the above comment I made was rather prescient but.......

Anybody want to give an estimate on what they think the price tag was.

Catalin · April 01, 2003, 08:08:56 AM

Silver:

Check out the Globeform article again. It was an April Fool\'s joke. It got me the first time too.

Catalin

Silver Charm · April 01, 2003, 08:29:01 AM

Anybody want to know who I like this weekend?