I think Curlin's victory in the Preakness (not to mention his other good efforts in the Triple Crown) and his powerhouse performances at Oaklawn that made him a Derby favorite also had something to do with his HOY title.

I don't think Mambo In Seattle's spring races quite match up.

Obviously it's a bit of a stretch to predict that Mambo in Seattle will end up being named HOY, but if he was somehow to win the JCGC and BC he'd probably be the eclipse favorite depending on who else ran in the classic and how they did. . .

Like I said - depending on who else runs and how they do - if Mambo were to beat Big Brown in a fairly run classic (if there is such a thing on that surface) then I certainly think the argument could be made for Mambo as HOY. Especially with highly publicized weakness of the fields Big Brown has beaten so far. Maybe "eclipse favorite" wasn't the right term - since Big Brown would probably be the favorite to win it because of his name, but Mambo would have a very good chance and be very deserving of it in my opinion. But, of course, we're getting WAY ahead of ourselves here. . .

I think it is much more likely that the two top finishers of this year's Travers will emulate the top two finishers of the '93 JCGC in the BC Classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP2DPO3_P5w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2K2woGfvvE

If he goes off as the second favorite in the JCGC and any other decent older horse shows up then he's overrated. If he goes off at 8-1 then perhaps he isn't. Last two races he barely won a non-winners of a graded stakes in '08 race and then lost to Colonel John in the Travers. Both were nice races for a 3yo this year but he'd have been long forgotten had 3yos Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun, and Any Given Saturday been in those races. Cause he ran against nothing he looks better than he is. And while he shows the most promise of any 3yo router aside from Big Brown I think that is like being second best dramatic performance in a porno film.

I'm sorry, but who are these 'decent older horses' that are so much more appealing than Mambo in Seattle? I can't think of an older dirt horse besides Curlin who I'd pick over Mambo with any confidence.

My whole opinion is that this 3yo crop sucks balls. The older horses suck too but are still better than the 3yos. So when I get a chance to play against a 3yo taking on elders that is overbet by his success against 3yos I'm going to take it. I got burnt at Monmouth with Big Brown but I'll try again this time assuming anyone respectable shows up. And honestly I have nothing against Mambo in Seattle (unlike Visionaire) so if he steps up and runs well I won't be upset, I'll just have lost some money trying to beat him. I think Curlin towers over him, I think Mambo's susceptible against elders, if I don't take a stand against either of them then there is no point in betting the race.

What's wrong with giving Past The Point another look, particularly if Wanderin Boy doesn't show up to hound him?

He looks flukey on paper, but if you ignore his abortive polytrack and turf starts this year, that leaves you with two big efforts at Saratoga on the main track. He was just coming around last year when placing in the Super Derby, before going to the bench for whatever reason.

I think the jury is still out on him, has a bit of upside.

Do any of the mules have a shot against Curlie this weekend?

Would be hilarious to see him go down in a dirt contest.

Fitting punishment for his despicable 'roid abuse last year.

Might've cost Street Sense a shot at the Triple Crown.





I really hate that horse.

Curlie that is...

Who's Curlin?

LMMFAO!!!:D

merely mambo ?
 

What the travers lacked in quality, it made up for in entertainment.

Waiting to see if Mambo In Seattle is "merely" a good allowance/stakes horse,
or a grade I classic distance runner.

.........no doubt, he will be the close 2nd betting chice for sure.

Im leaning towards Grade 1 classic runner, i think he takes the race to Curlin and it could be a Epic Stretch Run.

This is a classic case of someone putting up something and hoping it happens and they look like a genius. There are no rational, traditional, or logical reasons to believe Mambo in Seattle can beat Curlin if Curlin doesn't injure himself during the race.

After looking at the PPs I don't think Mambo cracks the superfecta.

Does Neil Howard typically stable at Belmont Park during the fall?

This seems like a case of "nowhere else to run". Lots of 3yos have been forced to face their elders in these races even though there's not much hope for them on form. Coronado's Quest, Lemon Drop Kid, AP Valentine, Stephen Got Even, Go For Gin, etc. Sometimes the Hail Mary's work (eg Miner's Mark).

I'd imagine Howard wasn't looking to go back to the Super Derby (though it was the logical spot) given Grasshopper's flop last year. Then again, he hasn't been very successful in the win column this year, so maybe this sort of thing is one of the reasons why.