i hate when people stoop to using facts and logic in their arguments.

I spent 3 to 4 weeks every summer growing up there. I love that city, it is like my second home. If you can drive in Boston, you can drive anywhere...

i wonder if it'll be the mass, as the ky cup is at turfway, and it's poly--a surface that street sense hasn't run his best on...and of course, hard spun may go to the ky cup, since he has a win there. you'd think darley wouldn't want the two to square off til the bcc.

But he doesn't need to win as it's just a prep...and he used a poly prep race en route to his Derby win....The same thing could work again.

yeah, i know he's prepped on the stuff. but i'd imagine they'd rather he prep with a win then a loss, regardless of surface. but then again, the bcc is THE objective.
i guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I hate it too. Not sure how that article or anything he says reasons out to 50-50 for the Mass Cap. Sounds like it is 1 in 5 at best. "Leaning" towards a race means absolutely nothing when dealing with horse trainers. Just sounds like he has no idea where he is going and he is throwing out races to see just how big of a bonus they are going to put together for him.

I can't wait!

Which is why your post is entirely valid...La Downs has already put up a big bonus. I just don't see how the Super Derby for a million bucks is not his best option, especially considering there is a great chance it will have a stronger field than the MassCap. Realistically, with the Brooklyn on the 22nd and the Jockey Club Gold Cup a week later, the Ky Cup Classic and the Hawthorne Gold Cup, what kind of field will the MassCap get?

NT

P.S. I'm going to La Downs for the Super Derby, so I am biased in hoping Street Sense goes there.

main point against the super derby is that nafzger said he'd like a run against older before the bcc.


wonder why? does it really matter?

I transferred in mid '98. While in college I taught riding and the locals always said to be weary of certain areas because I relied on public tranportation to get me back to Brookline.

Your last sentence is why I really hope Street Sense or someone big shows up so the attendance and handle are strong. I'd hate to see Suffolk turn into another Narragansett Park..so much history in the Mass Cap.

Street Sense really has been a breath of fresh air to the sport even though people for whatever reason don't fall over him like Smarty, Alex or Bernardini. A Juvie Champ to go on and win the Derby, run second in the Preakness, win the Dandy and Travers and will actually prep for the Classic. He'll say good-bye at the end of the year but at least he did something in the way of a 3 year old campaign.

He's already been bought for a multi-million dollar stud deal, does purse size really matter at this point?

yeah, but do you know any good places to eat in boston? i've heard boston is supposed to have great food, but have yet to encounter any. the all you can eat chocolate buffet sounds intriguing though.

I drool over the thought of a chocolate buffet :D

It really depends on your tastes and prize range...

yeah, the chocolate buffet is sort of a brunch deal. they have something like 100 different chocolate dishes to choose from.

now that i'm probably better able to deal with an excess like that, i may try it this year!

as to my tastes? i like ethnic foods more than whitey foods. high quality sushi/japanese food is easily my favorite, but i also love good thai, indian, vietnamese, mexican, brazillian, french and probably a few others i'm not remembering at the moment.

if the food is worth it, i generally dont mind paying a higher price for it.

so, got any recommendations?

I was referring to the assertion that someone made regarding Suffolk needing to increase the purse size in order to help lure Street Sense. Clearly, they have a huge target to reach.

NT

I'm so finding that chocolate buffet.

Ooooooh, Thai food is my absolute favorite. Darn, I wish I could remember this place I went to on a date once, it was beyond awesome. I'll have to do some research to see if I can find it. I know there are a few in the Copley Square / Newbury St area. I can never do Indian because back when I was looking for an apt in Boston it seemed like every apt unit smelled like curry and it completely turned me off. I've always heard that Cambridge has a lot to offer in the way of dining...and it may be a little easier to navigate about in the car. ;)

Back when I lived in RI (yes I've lived in 8 different states) there were a few REALLY great Thai and Japenese Steak houses, which I have yet to find their comparision in the Saratoga/Albany area.

Have you tried any of the Veitnam places in Albany? I like to frequent them when I am in Albany.

I heard My Linh was pretty good but have never gone.