No doubt....just lost to a better horse today.

Uh.. wow. Tough crowd.. Looked to me like he contested the lead all the way and then when confronted by a fresh dream trip opponent battled him the rest of the way to the wire.

So in other words, ran without a breather at any point from gate to wire and got beat a half length. But he's over rated...

Race wasn't run anything like it was going to be had Silver Lord not blown the break either, so adjustments get made and things unfold the way they do..

He was very game.

As much as I belittle Alex Solis you are right he was in a no win situation today.The soft turf was not going to be in his favor.

I can't believe that Solis knows how to make a horse go 49, I thought the race was over by then.....Didn't have it today, surface or just maybe all the recent races....

German horses encounter soft tracks a lot so they end up essentially bred for running on deep turf courses. Look at that 1700m run at Dusseldorf in soft ground - Proudinsky won by 15. Daytona looks a top of the ground horse - it was the track that beat him, for the most part.

OH Larry Jones has 'the jacket' on. Ugliest looking thing I have ever seen. Lock city today :)

What kind of breather does he need going those kinds of fractions? You say CQ had a dream trip and was fresh? They've both run one race this year and on those soft fractions with a clear lead, I thought Grasshopper was the one with the dream trip. CQ was being held back to keep him from going after the leader too soon.

That race looked like neither one really wanted to win but it was an exciting dual nonetheless. I'm glad CQ won since he was one of the two horses I said last spring had a chance to win the Derby (along with Notional) but I don't think either of those horses today are going to evoke memories of top horses in the past. Fortunately for them, this is 2008 and it doesn't take much to be a top horse so they both are in the running for top older horse.

I can't believe Tagg is not even considering taking Nobiz back to the dirt.

Damn i am stunned with how bad Brilliant looked.....Ive always followed this horse and a run likt this with his last race it just looks like he doesn't want to run anymore. Didn't look good at any part of the race. I am not doing too good today. I cashed on the 1st bet i made on Block and as usual that is the kiss of death for the rest of my day. Dammit

Blessing gets it all her own way in a match race and comes up short.

IMO Gomez screwed up by trying to slow IB down the backside.

Completely stupid ride. He's got to know that his horse is not going to be running faster than Proud Spell down the lane so his thoughts should have been to get a bigger cushion turning for home. Slowing her down like that is not what she wants to do and it only allowed Proud Spell to be closer and have less to do.

It was definitely a strange ride, IMO. The horse looked terrible under that hold, fighting him down the backside.

It looked like he was riding the race from Proud Spell's perspective instead of letting her run her own race. That said, she still got away with soft enough numbers where you would think she should have had something left -- especially if we want to even begin talking about an extra sixteenth in two months.

Grasshopper is very moderate.

Maybe so, but game nonetheless. He didn't just spit the bit (which he could have.)

The biggest misconception in horse racing is the representation of fractions as an easy or perfect trip. They are a contributor, but when there is another rival alongside you, it's far different than being alone in front with those same fractions. Grasshopper put away Magna Graduate, and just couldn't hold off CQ. I do think Robby Albarado rode Grasshopper way too cute and didn't do the horse any favors. Saying his trip was perfect is far from accurate.

i certainly enjoyed the stretch run between grasshopper and circular far more than that joke of a 'match race' (due to scratches) at gulfstream. but then, that isn't saying a whole lot.

I'm guessing the Beyer comes back around 100-102, which is right in line with the top two finishers. I think he's a competitive grade two horse.

I understand the fractions thing but I still thought he was going slow enough to have been able to win it. Maybe his trip wasn't perfect but I thought it was easier than CQ's.

In the handicap divisions of 1996 through 1998, a Beyer in that range would get you beat almost double digits in many Grade 2's.

Exactly.

Again, I can't believe that Tagg is not even considering putting Nobiz back on the dirt. If he can run a 105, he can be HOY if Curlin doesn't make it back from Dubai. At least older male champion.

I know. Bring back the Cigar's, Skip Aways, Silver Charms, Lemon Drop Kids of the world (not saying they are the best, but they came to mind first).

Not going to happen. With these McTrainers getting all of the good stock you can expect mediocrity and lack of depth in the divisions from here on out.

Hats off! you were right I was kinda wrong.
Hope you CRUSHED IT!!!

Yes! u have stumbled uncontrollably into the truth! reminds me of the first time i saw bettertalknow in the paddock on belmont stakes day last june. talk about sculptured athletes! some horses are just a joy to watch...which is probably why i keep coming back!

thank you steve for this board. (even if some of the posters are malcontents!!! present company excluded...)

Yeah for Euroears!