International Star and Rail

[boston]

I do not know anything about Miguel Mena.  However, I just watched all 3 New Orleans prep races, and Mena REFUSES to leave the rail in the 2nd turn.  Knowing that he does not have the fastest horse - I am sure he will not leave the rail in the derby.

The Lecomte is an extreme example of staying inside.  
The Risen Star it looks like he is steadied a bit on the turn, but he will not leave rail.  
La Derby they just give him the rail.

[johnnym]

I have watched all those races as well several times. I agree he likes the rail not afraid of a crowd. In my opinion he is the grittiest,toughest colt in the race. A ground saving rail trip with his late brisnet pace figure if this horse gets a good inside post relaxes and makes his run he very well could be in th exotics. He will be on several of my tix looking at 20-1 on him..

[FrankD.]

This guy can ride and was on the fast track until the bottle got ahold of him. In one Saratoga party evening he and Alan Garcia both ruined their promising careers.

In 2009 he showed up at the Spa won the Sanford, the winners name escapes me and was getting live mounts after a really good Churchill meet. Garcia was getting great rides due to his talent,leading jock at the spa in 2008,1st call for Darley and Godolphin then hooked up with legendary agent Ron Anderson who left Cali and Garret Gomez to come east as Garcia\'s agent. His career seemed ready to blast off as a top jock.

They were to ride in West Virginia on Derby Day there in a bunch of stakes later that same summer and got hammered downtown the night before. They missed their flight to WVA, Mena\'s rides won 3 stakes including the WVA Derby and they both fell into obscurity quickly.

Mena was off to AA and the 2nd tier tracks while Garcia is now riding at Woodbine.

Good luck,

Frank D.

[miff]

Frank,


Wayyyy more important, what\'s the weather for the Derby or is your expertise only for the SPA area?

Intl Star is a slow rat vs these no matter who is riding, there I said it.


Mike

[FrankD.]

Mike,

I\'m really worried about you!

Wind on FOY, FL Derby & Wood days have you ready to implode. TOUGH year with many more variables than usual and what to do with AP? Is he Seattle Slew or a toss?

Way tooooooooooooo early for weather, have a nice dinner, a couple glasses of wine and put down the figures for a day. Sit back and enjoy the lunatic fringe for a bit.

Frank D.

[mjellish]

We don\'t seem to have Jimbo to settle us all down this year.  So thanks for this Frank.  Sub \"Steak\" for dinner and \"Jack Daniels\" for wine and you got me.  I\'m going to try to take that advice.

[FrankD.]

Glen,

JD Green label on the bar here at all times!

I hardly consider you part of the lunatic fringe and by a few of your comments I have a sneaking suspicion we are on the same vertical key horse who I\'m hoping is over valued?

I\'ll be looking for some ticket structure guidance for sure this year.

Hope all is well and I\'m tired of your Minnesota weather here!!!!! I was down in the Catskills this morning and there were snow flurries.

Frank D.

[Einstein66]

I was at Mountaineer the day Mena and Garcia missed their flights to WV Derby, and to say some people were very upset would be an understatement. Mine That Bird ran in the race -- the first winner of a Triple Crown race to ever run in the state of West Virginia. Huge crowd for the race, beautiful weather, but no Mena or Garcia. The media was told they had travel issues. Local jockey Dale Beckner picked up Mena\'s mount, Soul Warrior, and won at 23-1. I\'m glad to see Mena getting it back together.

[IK]

Garcia has enough talent in his pinky finger to put all the \"stars\" of the WO meet scrambling for what will be left in his wake.....

(ed note: a lot of mixed metaphors in the above but you get the drift)
(ps. Garcia getting overbet already..5 days into the meet)