Glad to see it.

The logical spot for what they are trying to accomplish with her and Kensai. And unless Zenyatta will be coming out for that enhanced Beldame, QR can always have a shot at her in her next race, which would likely be for open company as well.

I think this might hurt the people that wanted to bet Mine That Bird in the Travers with the hope that QR and RA go at each other early.

You'll still get 2/1. People who love Quality Road should be jumping for joy.
With Rachel in there, you would have to deal with obvious pace pressure and the best horse in training. You would have gotten like 4/1 on QR with Rachel. I'd much rather bet QR at 2/1 w/o Rachel than 4/1 with her.

I'm going to try and beat QR.

I agree, but i dont think Mine that Bird is without a shot. I still think hes the most likely winner, but what really hurts is going to be the price. You may have been looking at 5/1 or 6/1 with Rachel. Now more likely closer to 3/1 and less pace (like you mentioned) to set up his late run. Lets face it, Mike Smith needs all the help he can get.

2-1 would be a gift, I expect 4-5.
The only horse who can beat him is the Warrior.

You are out of your mind. You think a horse who to date has done nothing but win the FL Derby is going to be 4/5 against horses who have become household names (the Birds)?

No way. Not with the Birds and Kensei. Here is my early line:

QR 2/1
Mine that Bird 3/1
Summer Bird 9/2
Kensei 6/1
Charitable Man 10/1
Warriors revenge 12/1

he made noise, got hurt, and she hasn't beaten him yet....some people just want to find a challenge for her. i don't know if it exists.

MTB wont be 3/1 and Kensei 6/1, if anything you have it reversed.

The thing that came into my mind other than the obvious dissapointment of her not running in the Travers is I had wished Commentator would not have retired not until after the Woodward.

Now really think about that.

If Commentator was his old self do you think they would have sent RA to the Woodward?

Even with an older Commentator, I would have loved to have seen it. I don't know enough about Jess Jackson on that one, but if I were to guess I would say NO.

I can't believe you told him he was out of his mind and didn't bring up anything about how he said Warrior's Reward could beat QR.

Warrior's Reward should be running Saturday, either in a N2X or as a longshot in the King's Bishop because he's a one-turn horse IMO.

NT

Im out of my mind? Look at this joke of a line you just posted. At post time QR will surely be under 2-1. He will be in the 4-5 to 7-5 at best range. Kensei will be second or close third choice.

what you fail to take into consideration is the large crowd of people who may not bet another race until next Saratoga season that will come out and bet Mine that Bird because he won the Derby.

And anyone who has been to Saratoga know they come out in droves.

He has lower beyer figures than QR though. The public bets huge beyer figures

I had Commentator running a pressured 116 pace and 101 final in the Whitney.

I'm not so sure he's not his old self. But, Zito probably couldn't get him back to that good effort for the Woodward .. as he was pointing to the Whitney and he's historically the type of horse with a lot of layoff lines.

Sure the public who knows and understands beyer figures but not Linda, Sally, Tommy and Steve who come up to Saratoga for a day out and go to the Travers to see the Kentucky Derby winner and ask people next to them on how to bet a Pick 3 or what's the difference between a Quinella and an Exacta.

See what I mean, Saratoga especially The Traver's draws in soooo many people who don't know alot about the Sport but its a great day to go up to the Spa and enjoy themselves. Which is great.

So with all those people betting along sides the knowledgable bettor I'm guessing MTB will go off under 5-1.

I think it's a fair question, if Commentator had not retired would Jackson still have made this decision. Regardless if he has lost a step or not, he would have presented a unique set of problems for her that not too many horses could.

I think name recognition has more to do with it than most people think.
But I do feel QR will be the favorite and a deserving one at that.
But Kensei take more money than Mine that Bird? I dont think so!
Care to make a wager on that Rock Hard Ten?