Eh.

He couldn't run a step past 7.

Maybe not for D. Wayne Lukas but unless they ran the 1987 Wood and Met Mile at 7 furlongs I think he could.

I think Leroy Jolley did a magnificient job with Gulch. Especially since "he couldn't run a step past 7."

Great race by Bayakoa in the Santa Margarita.

What's interesting is Luthier's Launch.

She ran something like four times against Bayakoa that year, always losing by around 10 lengths, give or take.

The race prior to this one, she ran 2nd to Gorgeous by about 5.

The race prior to that, she ran 2nd by 18 to Akinemod. I know I'm the Akinemod pimp around here and I may be biased, but had Akinemod not been hurt, she'd have been an all timer.

I wish you could get that race! She was easily in the same league as Bayakoa, and quite possibly better.

I did some looking around through my videos last night..

Here is her 18 lth score in the El Encino and her La Brea win..

1990 El Encino Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olsGGXEV9y4

1990 La Brea Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP2JuNTEP-Q

You rule!

It's a shame not being able to see both of those in their entirety though. The La Brea, the way she just galloped on the lead while Linda Card and that other mare were trying to keep up, that was just awesome.

And of course, watching her open up was something to see.

Any luck on Greinton and Precisionist, circa 1985?

In the span of about six months, they ran in the insanely great rendition of the Strub going 10f in a 3/8ths long drive to the wire.

Then at HP, Precisionist beat Greinton again, by 4, in 132.4.

Again at HP, Greinton beats Precisionist by almost 3, in 132.3, with Lord at War 3rd!

Then a short time later, Greinton goes 158.2 to beat Precisionist by about 2.

I'd like to see a rivalry like that again. I won't though.

Oh, wait, I forgot a couple of more races. Before the pair of mile races at HP, Greinton beat Precisionist at SA going 9f in 147 flat. He won by a neck, with the valiant Al Mamoon another head back in third.

The following year, Greinton ended his career with a close loss to Precisionist in 147.3.

Final score, 3-3, with all six races those 2 filling the exacta, and all in fast time.

Too bad it wasn't a video with Trevor Denman's call. He was completely heartbroken when Eddie D. came on with Exemplary Leader (ironically, a son of Vigors---also note the Jay Em Ess Stable silks) and tore the whole production to shreds.

It's kind of funny, cuz IIRC, the field was pretty loaded with talented milers. I remember looking at the PPs and wondering why Shoemaker was on Patchy Groundfog, who was an old-timer from the Bay Area.

Still got the $2 win ticket :)