"ran herself to death" -- was that was actually happened? I know they were doing an autopsy but I guess I missed where the cause of death ended up being "tried to keep up with the boys and ran herself to death".

Probably a discussion for another time.

Eric

Stardom Bound came back with an 84 Beyer versus 94 for Pioneer of the Nile.

Per Bobby Frankel in today's stable notes on the Santa Anita website:

“I don’t know,” Frankel said when asked if the gray daughter of Tapit would make her next start against colts in the Santa Anita Derby, as firmly indicated after the Las Virgenes by Mike Iavarone, president of IEAH Stables, part owner of the filly. “Cooler heads will prevail,” Frankel continued. “I don’t know. It’s their horse.”

Not exactly a statement brimming with confidence.

In regards to the March 7 Santa Anita Oaks, I believe IEAH is pointing the Hollywood Starlet winner (Laragh) to that race.

Frankel plays the numbers, he's a really good handicapper. Her performance both visually and numbers-wise was not going to break the bank. Fillies would be my route of choice with the gal.

based on yesterday, if she was mine i'd run her back vs females again. she didn't show enough to take on the likes of pioneerof the nile or mr. hot stuff. i think frankel/dutrow will put a bit of a damper on ieah's enthusiasm to take on the boys.

You kind of knew that was coming -- Frankel's reaction that is. After the win, barring it wasn't a real "lackluster" performance, you knew the owner(s) would be talking SA Derby, and Frankel would be much more realistic, reserved, wait and see, etc.

Do you think the owner(s) were waiting to compare #'s, times, trips, whatever? Nah. I didn't think there would be any delay at all.

Eric

i laughed when iavarone said something about not minding the attention. gee, i'd have never thought that...:rolleyes:

Understatement of the year ...

well he paid a $5+ million to get it back yet again this year, why not right? I can't wait to hear more about his "hedge fund partnership" approach to the game again. If he thinks this horse has a shot against the boys off that effort he might wanna head back to NY where he really belongs, 84 Beyers is a number cut in MSW out there. Frankel's a HOF i don't think he's gonna let this tool dictate where to run the horse, but i could be fooled, he could be made out to be a puppet.


-bt-

i don't see how he'll get his 5+ million back with her on the track this year-that's a lot of money to win.
as for frankel and being a puppet-trainers work for owners; i doubt they would call themselves puppets for doing what the owner wants. he might tell him his opinion, but ieah will no doubt have final say.

Then I would look for the horse to go to another trainer. Frankel hasn't gotten to where he is by putting horses in races they can't win.

i think dutrow is the official trainer of record, and she's only with bobby for now...and his quote the other day, that it's their horse, seems to tell the tale.

Why would they not take a shot in the SA Derby...I dont get the negativity. The Derby is another thing, but SA Derby will not be riddled with talent and seems to be a tracks she likes. Smith geared her way down so dont let the number sway you too much. And I expect the numbers will increase with more distance.

it looked like it took a lot more effort then usual to get her rolling down the lane this time.
I would be fine if the owners put this horse in SA Derby for the right reasons, unfortunately i think ivarone yet again wants the spot light and is trying to make up for winter he spent w/no cameras in his face. You're right, there aren't gonna be any world beaters in the SA derby prob, but IMO he was probably setting her up for this race regardless of what she did sat.

-bt-

Maybe they should get her to her full potential against her own and then once she shows that she is indeed fast and classy enough to face the opposite sex give them a shot.. Rushing a filly that hasn't had a few huge races in a row is just Iavarone being, well an idiot

:tro:

I tend to agree. Saturday was her first race in nearly 4 months, and even Frankel said a month ago he was just sort of tinkering around with her. What's the point in her running back in the Santa Anita Oaks and winning at
1-5? Give her a shot in the SA Derby, and if she doesn't seem like she belongs, than back off and point her to a more realistic 2009 campaign.

run her in the s.a. derby then have her ready for the kentucky oaks.
probably will be two wins.

Exactly my point. Test her here if you are going test her. Again, not saying she is Derby worthy at this point.

Frankel isn't going to "move-up" a filly like that off of Paasch. That was Paasch's top animal and he's a good trainer. If anything Frankel was a step back maybe could toughen her up a little bit...
She won that Las Virgenes so easy it wasn't even close. She did it from a dead stop as well because the race got bunched up and a horse had her sealed inside prior to the turn.
I agree it wasn't a "wow" performance like some of her previous.

saying she might not improve off last year, or that she didn't WOW me, isn't negativity. it's reality-imo at least.

hey, run her vs boys-it won't hurt her. i certainly wouldn't have a problem with it if they try.
i wouldn't bet her either.