Yes because when we use that logic we realize there aren't any turf races at this time for the horse to run in. :zz:

There was the Manhattan. Incompetence spreads like a deadly virus. If they're so desperate for a race maybe they should wait for the Gold Cup in two weeks. There's no need to put this horse against Curlin. It's a waste of time.

Am I the only one who thinks that Pitts made the decision on this one with revenge on her mind? I can understand why she'd have sour grapes...but what good can come from running Einstein on a track that will be equal to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's surface? It's not like this horse has any shot against Curlin unless something goes horribly wrong.

I just can't think of any other viable reason that doesn't border on insanity.

Except if they run him in the Gold Cup, he can't run in the Firecracker or in a Million prep. Not to mention the cross-country ship and Cushion Track issues.

I don't understand what the big problem is. There's no one in the race other than Curlin, the horse needs a race and it's not like he's been abysmal on dirt.

Oh yes the illustrious Firecracker. Big purse on that one.

If the purse isn't an issue I don't see why Churchill can't card a bunny race like Gulfstream did for War Pass this winter.

Cushion track issues? If he has issues on Cushion Track then they will be tenfold on the speedway. It's dry as a bone down here right now.


Also remember this horse has been shelved the past two years over injuries. This just seems like a bad risk to me. I hope he comes out of the race ok, but I think he'll be shelved again.

I'm not unhappy that the horse is running - quite frankly I don't care either way. But if I were connected to the horse I wouldn't enter him in a race he can't win. . . he's probably the best turf horse in America and he's already won two Grade 1's this year - so why the rush to throw him into this race? And they already took a shot with him in the Donn and he didn't win - and there was no Curlin in that race. Wait for the races that are right for him - it's only June.

exactly-he's two for for, which i see ateam also pointed out. he couldn't run where they were pointing him, and he's ready to go. why not go for a shot at an inflated purse? curlin is vulnerable-first back after dubai, and he is carrying more weight than he will in the classic for example. best time to take a shot imo.

I wouldn't bother complaining if he were a bum. I actually like the horse and don't want to see him out for the rest of the year...which seems to be his pattern. And I don't feel this race helps his chances of making it to the Breeders cup.

it's not a rush-the horse was geared up for a race, and then they couldn't run due to his owner being in jail, and the licensing being a mess. he's ready for a race, and just the other day there was serious doubt that curlin would even show.
if people entered a race only with the expectation that they could WIN, we wouldn't have very many large fields.

and for everyone saying curlin can't lose, all i can say is big brown and the belmont. you never know.

now, in that regard, yes-i can see why it might be a question mark as to why they're running.

The hard track concern is a good point, but it doesn't make any more sense to ship him across the country, IMO. And the Firecracker would essentially be a prep for the Million and he'd be a lock to win it, so wouldn't it at least be nice to have the option of running in it?

Would it be safer to save him for a turf race in July? Probably. But I don't see the huge travesty in trying Curlin off the plane from Dubai in a $1 million race with no one else of note (except maybe Grasshoper) entered.

If the dirt is as bad as you say it is, I'd be concerned about everyone's safety, not just Einstein's.

What a great picture of Helen & Einstein..

http://www.horsephotos.com/watermark.jsp?photoID=60564

im all over brass hat:rolleyes:

Curlin on top

High Blues or Red Rock Creek offer value underneath, while big names (barcola,einstein,grasshopper) are hit or miss.

Brass Hat - Did Calvin Borel work him on June 7th?

Yes ^.

“I wanted him to pick it up late, and he did that,” Bradley said. “I started timing him at the three-quarter pole and had him going six furlongs in 1:14 and 2 (fifths), galloping out seven-eighths in 1:26 and 2 and out the mile in 1:40.”
Borel, who rode the seven-year-old son of Prized for the first time in the mile and a half Louisville Handicap (GIII) on the turf in his most recent start, was equally pleased with the work.
“I let him gallop out past the wire and he was strong,” Borel said. “They had better come with their running shoes on next week.”


Brass Hat should be slightly improved, is in good shape, and should have a good chance to finish in the money.

LOL @ calling Barcola a "big name".

True true.

am i the only one giving grasshopper a decent shot at winning this... i remember a few years ago mineshaft went down in this race at very short odds to perfect drift... i just think grasshopper's last 2 were totally out of his game, 1 mile and sloppy.... could be sitting on something huge