And Cloudy is a big, lumbering, horse (and to be honest, kind of ugly up close too, if you ask me) who's always seemed better-suited to marathon distances and sweeping courses, which seems to explain his success at Woodbine and Kentucky Downs.

Based on the way he runs and the way he moves, it seems to me that while there are some concerns (short rest, Pro-Ride), the distance being within his scope won't be one of them.

Plus, he couldn't have looked ANY more sensational bouncing his way back to the winner's circle last week after the Sycamore. Like having just run that marathon race was nothing at all to him...

I like the looks on paper atleast of Father Time, he's going to be overlooked due to Godolphin's Mastery but he has the look of a live Euro (perhaps 1st lasix) in this race. Not a huge fan of Jamie Spencer though if he is indeed the Jock but he's definitely possible.

Yea, most people named Spencer are notorious for screwing up things when the big-time comes around.

Two things stood out to me.

Summer Bird also being entered in the Turf.
Girolamo's first preference being the Classic.

Ice said a month ago that Summer Bird would be cross-entered in the Turf.

Putting Girolamo in the Classic seems a tad 'eager', no? But hell, they already have 2 in the Dirt Mile...

Girolamo is going to win now to spite you. :p

When he said that, it was before he had gone to California to train and he said he was keeping his options open because Summer Bird hadn't seemed to really like the synthetic when he trained on it before. Now, he's been there and been working on it and he's still entering the Turf. I could be wrong but that indicates to me that maybe he's not as happy with what he's seeing as he's saying to the media.

Anyone else notice what Zenyatta's first preference is? :tro:

That really means nothing. They know there was no chance of the Distaff overflowing. It just makes things easier for them, as usual.

I think this horse is one of their best bullets and with so much upside and Regal Ransom there to ensure some pace, I say go for it. This Classic field doesn't scream world beaters either.

The turf is going to be fascinating as Conduit will get a lot of the money but most likely won't get the set up he needs! Spanish Moon and Fallon look like the guys!!

He's a good trainer, and a proponent of alkalizing. So, it's an amalgam. Careful if he enters something down the hill. Fatboy horses sure do power down that hill.

I don't doubt this on both accounts, he's having just an ok yr for his standards, Ted West Sr. And Jr. never could distinguish the 2 are also having just ok year's, makes you wonder toothpaste is the only thing working out there at the moment. :zz:

I still think Con was the 3rd best horse in the turf last year.
If SoF and Eagle Mnt jocks had a brain they would have run 1-2.

I will never, ever forget the field coming by the stands the first time last year, turning to Ntamm and asking...why is Soldier of Fortune pace-pressing his own rabbit. I will NEVER, EVER understand that ride. I'd like to say that he wasn't going to win anyway, but who could've told based on what is, quite possibly, the worst turf ride in a BC race.

With Presious Passion in the race, there will be a legit pace, especially with the first half-mile run downhill.

Worse than Spencer's on Powerscourt?? That one is hard to beat.

Yes it was worse.

yeah he's there, but maybe a chance they just let him do his own thing which would mean Fallon is setting the pace (but still saying that, PP could be dangerous out there!)

dont think Shea did much wrong on Eagle. He rode him assuming he would stay but didnt as well as Conduit.

I thought so...considering that they flew Red Rock Canyon over to go run and gun, there was no reason to think that their multiple G1 winner would be pressing the pace set by the hopeless maiden. Powerscourt was a bad ride on its own merits, I thought Murtagh's ride on Soldier of Fortune was absolute lunacy.