The Matriarch

[TGJB]

Hit the link to see the sheets for DH and VG. VG\'s is also on the cover of our hardcopy product.

The difference wasn\'t in the figures VG was running for Bailey/Stevens vs. those for Solis, it was the net result due to ground loss. I fought very hard against Solis riding in the Derby, lost, and almost threw up when he went past us the first time not only last, but outside two horses with a five length gap in front of him. I put the binoculars down, and didn\'t even see him again until the eigth pole. VG got a much better number than RQ that day, and Solis was taken off.

Stevens rode in the Preakness, we were favored, and I fully expected to win, but RQ beat the hell out of us, on the merits. Gary rode back in the Belmont and though I am biased it was the greatest big race ride I have ever seen-- he split horses 3 times, and if he had gone around any one of them we would have lost.

But then Gary got hurt before the Travers, and I was unable to keep the owners (not Elliot) from putting Solis back up. Just as in the Derby we were the widest horse on both turns, and lost a photo despite running the best number-- if we had been inside one horse on either turn we would have won both the Travers and the Derby. But given the trip in the Belmont and the wide trip Behrens got when we beat him a nose in the Whitney the following year-- which got us an Eclipse-- I can\'t complain. Bailey rode in the Foster and Whitney.

I don\'t blame Solis for the BC loss-- we told him we didn\'t care how far back he was, we got a rail trip, and were only a length back at the eighth poll-- VG hung. He had been sick, and there was no time to get a prep race in him.

By the way, if you ever get a chance, check out Durkin\'s call in the 98 Belmont. Dave Johnson is a friend of mine and did the call for ABC, but Durkin\'s is the best call in history (of course, I\'m a little biased).

\"Twenty years in the making... it\'s going to be close... IT\'S TOO CLOSE TOO CALL.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is worth FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

History...
in the waiting...\"

I have watched that tape a couple of dozen times, and I still can\'t watch it sitting down. And I still don\'t think he got up.

[Silver Charm]

Interesting to see that Frankel thinks Heat Haze should have run in the BC Mile. Frankel is probably thinking that since a filly, Six Perfections won, he could have won with Heat Haze.

Since Peace Rules ran like he was a \"rabbit\" Frankel needed a closer.

However,I have my doubts about her in that spot. She has to be allowed to explode in the stretch to win and traffic in that big field would have been a BIG PROBLEM.

Also, is it no surprise that a horse you have been betting/using and following all year wins when you are unable to go to the track and pays pretty good.

[Silver Charm]

Sorry to post my nonsense after you were \"speaking from the heart\" TGJB.

You wrote:

\"though I am biased it was the greatest big race ride I have ever seen\"

You are biased but you are also accurate.

[Michael D.]

thanks, much appreciated. VG was one of my favorite horses of all time; i have watched that tape and listened to the call probably more than you have. btw, my bet in the derby that year was VG to win, with an ex over RQ. my bet in the travers that year (after hitting the king\'s bishop exacta with secret firm over mint) was a huge exacta, VG over CQ & the ny bred (who was also right there within inches). solis can\'t be a bad jockey if so many top trainers use him, but it seems as though i get a lot of very tough beats when he rides the horses i bet.

[Silver Charm]

If you do put up his SHEET should we use Legal Size paper?

That layoff will leave a lot of blank columns.

[Mall]

Unless the topic is bad rides by Uske or Clemente, I\'m probably not the best guy to listen to when it comes to jockeys, but based on the recently concluded CD meet it seems that Calvin Borel got religion when it comes to saving the maximum ground possible. A couple of times out of the mile chute he made such a hard left that it looked like he was thinking about running clockwise. I expect him to have a breakout kind of meet at FG, starting tomorrow. The discussion re Frankel is interesting, as there is some talk going around that Bailey is getting tired of not having a mount in big races, which has happened quite a few times when Frankel changed his mind about running after Bailey committed to ride. If I remember correctly, they didn\'t do much if any business together until Bailey piloted You between horses for a nose victory at Sar a couple of yrs ago.

[Silver Charm]

Hey Mall,

Judging by the way Heat Haze ran when Bailey was up maybe that was what Frankel intended to do in the first place.

Use someone else, but still have JD believe he is his first call rider.

Go back to the Bailey Off Valdivia Up Post, there are certain types of horses he doesn\'t ride as well.

[jbelfior]

Silver Charm---

The traffic (Matriarch field of 14) certainly did not hurt HH on Sunday. Again, it\'s amazing she closed in :22 while weaving in and out.



Good Luck,
Joe B.