The Witney

[Tavasco]

Congratulations to those who ended up on the winner White Abarrio. What a dfference the start makes. The top three finishers were the same top three finishers several weeks back in the Metropolitan. In yesterdays Whitney, Codys\'s Wish lost approximately 3 lengths at the start never to make it up.

What a difference a trip makes the consistent Zandon went wide again duplicating his previous 2nd place.

What a difference a trainer can make. When Rick Dutrow took over for Saffie Joseph it was not so obvious that White Abarrio benefitted after the first race with Dutrow. But geezo pete he looked like a new horse, a world beater coming home in the stretch in the Whitney.

I suppose Dutrow is now eying the Breeders Cup Classic with a possible intervening race between now and then. Or maybe he will just try and sneak up on the betting public. Hard to know whether Cody\'s Wish just needs a little time, a better start, or a shorter distance? and Zandon seems like he could break through into the winners circle at any time maybe the JC Gold Cup is on his agenda.

Add in a three y/o old or two e.g. Boom Boom Forte, Arcangelo and a trainee from Cox and Baffert should keep things interesting.

Oh, and trainer Rick is running #2 Positive Message in the 7th @ SAR Sun in a $40K mdn after a dull first effort ensuring she will be under the radar.

[jbelfior]

Wonderful day for racing yesterday in front of a national TV audience.

A talented 3yo stakes filly goes down 3 steps before the wire and a guy who was suspended for 10 years wins the grade 1 Whitney with a horse who they couldn\'t pull up and who before yesterday couldn\'t get a 1 1/8th against that level if you put him in a van. Can\'t wait to see his TG number. What a time to be alive.



Good Luck,
Joe B.

[pip4126]

Remember when being on the cover of Sports Illistrated was considered a jinx?
Well Fox had three featured stories on their program yesterday and all ended badly! Another sad day for racing on national television. My heart goes out to the connections of Maple Leaf Mel.

[pip4126]

Another catastrophic breakdown at the Spa.

[statuette]

Maybe they'll move racing to finger lakes while they figure things out