OOOOOO

I can use lack of early speed against Pyro as a knock vs same re YB speifically, as you mentioned, because Pyro is 7/2 and YB is 40/1 (or whatever). That's overlooking the obvious fact that it was YB's first race on dirt and he's certainly at least as likely as Pyro to move forward. I don't think it would have been possible for Pyro to have gotten a better trip/set up laying off Charlie and JbK. Given that Charlie lasted for 2nd and that YB wound up within 3-4 lengths of Pyro in his first dirt race, it's certainly not inconcievable YB can gain those 3 or 4 over the next eight weeks and his next race.

You're right they both are pace challenged. The difference is one is the Derby favorite now and the other could go off 40-1. If you go with the hyped horses, good luck. If you're correct on your key or press, you can find a very nice exacta. But if I bet the race, I'll play something long in all the slots in the tri/super with several others. Sometimes it works for me as it did with Steppenwolfer. Sometimes it doesn't like last year when I used Kaplan's horse Sedgefield.

As an aside, I'm going to be spending a bit more time this year looking at the California horses. These guys out there aren't fools and it's pretty likely they are going to do better this year than last year, the first year of poly-preps.

More important, how would I have done with the pg85 prop bet?

How does a thread about a horse who "stinks," (and isn't a legit derby contender) have this much interest?

Because Yankee Bravo is a monster, scuds. He's not from hee haw land.

Hell yes.He is getting paid to write opinions.I have been censored twice already for stuff I wrote in this thread.So,I can tell I am hitting Eastern Nerve here,but I think he was sloppy to say this horse isn't a legit derby contender.I give it 50% chance the horse goes off the trail with injury.40% chance the horse fires strong in the derby,and 10% chance the horse does nothing while running in the derby.That's the way I think it is.So,yea if he gets his shot and runs poorly,then I will come say I was wrong.I fully expect it will be the other 90%,but we will see.You and him have 10% chance to come in here and say "see,he had no shot." I feel the horse will be in the exotics.Be tough for him to actually win with the winemaker up.With somebody else? Lookout,Andy,he comin'.

whats an eastern nerve?..oh thats the one that connects your balls to your wallet..:eek:

The question isn't whether you will come on and call yourself wrong, in the event YB runs poorly in the derby. The question is will you call yourself stupid and sloppy. That is what you have called others who dont' share your opinion on YB. It's not so much you have hit eastern nerve, its more to do with your comments being boorish.

Oh, the old West Coast paranoia. Love that.

You think he was " sloppy " for giving his honest opinion? Thankfully, there are still a few journalists left that think giving their actual opinions is important. What would actually be " sloppy " is if he didn't analyze the race as he saw it. You disagree with his opinion, for whatever reasons, which is certainly your right. Insulting the guy just makes you look....well, I think ArlJim said it best, boorish.

I disagree with Steve on races on many occasions, not on the internet but when talking to him, but I have nothing but the greatest respect for his opinions.....as well as his right to have them. His work is never " sloppy. "

No,I did not say some horse wasn't a legit derby contender.He took that extreme road.He was sloppy to make a statement that is a stupid statement.I am not calling him stupid.The boorish statement was made by THE DRUGS GUY.HE SAID THE HORSE STINKS.Hey,if I was being paid to write,then, obviously, I would write more politically correct.I would be picking Pyro like the rest of these guys playing it safe.

Well,this time,Crist was sloppy.He was trying to make a case against Pyro,and got sloppy doing it.That's my opinion.What is this guy, the freakin' Dalai Lama? I don't care who said he is not a legit derby contender.That person is wrong,and it will be shown.Just let it play out,and now that you drank the same cocktail,you best hope Solis retains the mount,because it's a definite handicap the horse must be able to overcome.

He's wrong and sloppy because you disagree with him?

That's a new one. At least, however, you've already given yourself a built in excuse. Blaming the jockey before a race really bolsters your case.

I guess I'm wrong as well.....Yankee Bravo is about as ridiculous a supposed contender as I have heard meantioned on this Derby Trail. And that's saying something.

I miss things too. Maybe this one is in the chapter that reviews first time starters on the Big A inner?

I'd rather read Crist hand down a real opinion, good or bad than read Haskin who clearly thinks that any 3yo TB is a legit contender for the KY Derby.

I read both commentators for different reasons. Haskin often has quotes and post race info, as well as anticipated next starts for the Derby candidates. his content however reads like a glowing review of each and every colt. They can't all be that good, can they? Crist OTOH, will give me his honest opinion about a colt's efforts and chances next out. I have every right to disagree and every right to say so. That doesn't make his work sloppy. In fact few writers are as organized and careful in their preparation as Crist. I may disagree with every point he makes but I would never call him sloppy.

As to disagreement in general, the betting here is legal and encouraged. Put up or shut up. You like something? I don't so bet me! Either a prop bet or through the mutuel windows. The disagreement need not turn personal. If Crist doesn't like a horse you like it doesn't make him sloppy. He sees it differently from you. Take advantage and get your price.

I think that Yankee Bravo will most likely be in the field of 20 unless he gets hurt. I think that the horse would improve if they got him to focus a bit more. Maybe blinkers. I don't think he is near the top tier right now, but Pyro certainly is in the top 3. I don't think Yankee Bravo is a bad horse by any means either. Most likely, he would have won the El Camino.

I don't think Yankee Bravo is close to Cali's best after what I saw in the LA Derby.

Cali will get dismissed this year, and several of those horses can really run.

Now I am doomed. I need to buy back my Yankee Bravo futures.

I think in today's day and age of the BS the media puts forth, it's still great to see a journalist, reporter, media personality, etc. step up and give his/her definitive, blunt, and tell it like it is opinion. If someone disagrees, that's great. That's what makes the world go around. But to insult someone and belittle them or their opinion because one disagrees with it is foolish in my opinion.

Now, I am not saying that's what happened here, but in this industry we see that, and it's common.

Personally, I think sloppy journalism and opinions don't just come from someone else disagreeing with the opinion and author. The building in excuses is another aspect which also can become foolish.

Not on this horse, or this situation, but personally I think it would be foolish to completely throw out a horse because of a jock of Solis' stature. If you think a horse is the best horse in the race, and you are exclusively throwing him out because of Alex Solis, that's a fool play in my eyes.

Eric

I do too. Nice post.