i expect Zenyatta will be a non factor, third maybe.

I like Fairbanks and heres why...
Heatseeker is a polytrack/turf horse who will be an underlay here coming into this in sensational form. Although he is the morning line favorite, I dont think he'll take more money than Circular Quay, but he'll still be a short price. Hes going to be very far back and I dont think the pace will be as hot as people think.
Circular Quay is coming off a monster race besting a terrific effort by Grasshopper and that was his first good race in a long time. Obviously the conventional dirt agrees with him and he alread showed an affinity for Fairgrounds. He stayed closer to the pace than normal and I wouls suspect those tactics will be employed again today. Sure, he can win and is the horse they will have to hold off in here. I think he gets bet down to favortism over Heatseeker and I didnt have him last time at 6/1, so why would I ever bet him today at a shorter price againts better horses?
Tiago might be a better horse on the dirt, but based on one win in the Santa Anita Derby? No thanks. The horse likes to hang with perfect trips and I dont want him at any price.

Faribanks is very interesting in that he should be able to control the pace of the race if Ramon does what he should be told to do. Last time Johhny V was a dummy for wrangling him back off a slow pace. This horse is best on the lead and I think Pletcher's word to ramon is send! Of course Silver Lord is also quick if he breaks with his jockey today and could screw things up for Fairbanks. But as the suspected 3rd or 4th choice, I'll take a shot that he makes the lead and proves uncatchable.

She does just that. WIN.

If she stays on the synthetics. Shes too big to stay sound on dirt.

I remember that Balance never won a race outside of CA.

Ginger Punch
Circular Quay
Pure Clan

I think Fairbanks disappoints too much, and I'll take the more lightly raced frontrunner, Silver Lord.

great call on this one. she won like a champ.

Shows what we know, shes a monster.

Zenyatta just made my weekend. Not sure GP brought her A-game but Zenyatta is indeed a monster.

i bet her but not make my weekend money, my weekend was crushed by the late pick 3 at keenland

Tiago noses Heatseeker for the win. Reporting For Duty third beaten a pole. That combined with Zenyattas romp and I guess we can bury the absurd idea that synthetic to dirt is an automatic bad play.

Nice gritty win by Tiago today in the Oaklawn Handicap.. Interesting ride tho by Bridgmohan on Reporting for Duty who finished 3rd...:rolleyes:

When did synthetic to dirt become an instant toss? I had real reasons why I didn't like Zenyatta on dirt and I bet Heatseeker to win. Anybody using your toss is a fool.

I don't think you can use Tiago as an example here, as he's had plenty of experience on the dirt tracks while on the Triple Crown trail.

CAN we stop making fun of my picks now, i touted zenyatta and tiago this week, see im not bad luck

Zenyatta could have run another half furlong in almost 8 seconds and still beat that group of slowpokes in the Oaklawn Handicap.

is she the best filly in the country ?

I'd still like to see her take on Hystericalady on the dirt. On the cushion crap, who knows who is the best.

agree