Classic Empire Performance

[sekrah]

Not mentioned yet, but I thought Mike Smith\'s ride on Untrapped was a total butcher job. Pretty amazing that horse was still within 5 of the winner after a 4w4w and a totally uncalled for middle move into a very warm pace.  He rode the horse like he was a 1-5 shot.

[jbelfior]

Agree. Not one he will show the grandkids.

Good Luck,
Joe B

[ajkreider]

JB will have a decision to make on the figure.  Can\'t see having CE slower than the Handicap winner, given the weight difference and ground loss. But if Inside Straight gets his usual number, the next three went way back.  If he gives IS a couple of points better, then there were a bunch of new tops in the derby - and a forward move for Classic Empire.

(PS, I owe the board some drinks for the betting advice.)

[mjellish]

Speaking about rides, how about Paco\'s ride on Dickinson.  One of the best turf rides you will ever see.

[FrankD.]

MJ,

Ask Jimbo how much he appreciated that ride, cost him a 5 figure pick 4 ticket with Lady E. OUCHIE !!!

[mjellish]

That\'s a tough beat.  I\'m sure Jimbo can hack it though.  

You won\'t see a better field than what was assembled for the Jenny Wiley.  I wasn\'t playing Keeneland yesterday but I had to switch over and watch that race.  I knew Paco was very good but that was something else, especially when viewing the head on replay.

[TGJB]

Paco is one of the best 5 riders in the country, and now that he\'s riding for major outfits on major circuits everyone will see it. Great grass rider.

It\'s interesting, he sits differently than the other guys.

[TGJB]

Inside Straight will clearly get a new top. But CE wasn\'t that far in front of a whole bunch of not so fast horses, though he did spot them almost a point in weight. You\'re right, the question will be how many new tops do you want to give out, and until we have the ground and everything organized I\'m offering no opinion.

Seems to me that given all that led to this race, including missing training, you have to handicap CE the same way in 3 weeks whatever the number was, as long as it was better than his last. Which it probably will be. The headcase factor is another question-- I was in Florida that day, and he looked as bad as a horse can, even to someone who doesn\'t know what he\'s looking at.

I\'m thinking there are a few with enough points who may not go-- especially since several are trained by guys with other horses in the race.

[jimbo66]

In a game that is known for dealing out bad beats, that was one of my worst in the last few years.

Agree that Paco is a helluva rider

That said, I thought Irad beat him to the hole, almost blindswitching him (harness term I guess).   From there, thought Lady Eli had no excuse.    Was counting my money.  

Rough rough game.  

Jim

[jimbo66]

TGJB

You are only \"pretty sure\" it was better than his last where he didn\'t run a step?

Guess I will wait for the figures but sheesh.   He was at least 2w/3w and closer to a half path further out.   And he won.  

Jim

[TGJB]

For me it was the photo for third... bad beat on a tough day.

[mjellish]

Irish War Cry\'s last few are going to have his sheet looking a lot like Afleet Alex did coming into the KY Derby.

[TGJB]

Wow. Good call.

[Silver Charm]

TGJB Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------
> Seems to me that given all that led to this race,
> including missing training, you have to handicap
> CE the same way in 3 weeks whatever the number
> was, as long as it was better than his last. Which
> it probably will be. The headcase factor is
> another question-- I was in Florida that day, and
> he looked as bad as a horse can, even to someone
> who doesn\'t know what he\'s looking at.

I was there is Florida that day also standing 10 feet away in the Paddock. The horse was sweating so bad if he was human you would assume he was about to throw up!!!!! All of which was disheartening to see considering I had him Singled and was about to close out a major multi race wager win. And I didn\'t....

Next question you have to ask is how long this heavy vitamin and supplement diet Casse now has him on, since he got him out of Florida, before it starts to wear off. A month? A few weeks? Or a few more days...

[TGJB]

Just looked at the day, he went forward a couple of points. Track speed for the routes got faster as the day went on.