3rd time the charm for English Channel..?
 

OR have all 5 of his G1 wins come against weak fields..?..?....?

at best a weak g1 talent... lanesend is so proud $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Tough to say. Have to see how the field shapes up. Didn't exactly see a tough field the last two times out.

Judging by the grammar displayed in the title to this thread, it would have been more appropriate if this horse was named English As A Second Language Channel...

If EC isn't put into the race earlier in the BC than his last two, he's got little chance to win. I don't think he can trip out like he did in his last on the bigger course and get a clean straight shot with just one (pretty modest) horse to pass late.

english channel set a record at monmouth a year ago, and then broke it this year when he successfully defended his UN handicap win. whether he gets a course to his liking, and can handle an extra 1/8th are two questions he will answer.
the third is what kind of competition wil lhe face? for all his 'weak' wins, he is the top turf stayer in america.

This thread has been up for nearly 12 hours and no Kev. Dude must be beyond whipped.

For the record, no the third time will not be the charm for EC. He seems to have changed his running style over the last couple races and that style requires a good trip in a huge BC field so he'll be up against it.

Im here...already have read it. My stance on EC is quite obvious:cool: :D

Bigs....I did like to see the way that EC was more relaxed in the Hirsch than he has been in the past.

Yes he was more relaxed but I like his chances better up near the front on what could be a very hard turf course (see Belmont lately), if the rains don't start falling in the next couple weeks.

If he relaxes and makes one run, he'll have to beat the Euros at their own game and I don't know if he can outquicken (probably not a word, but you get the point) them.

See....I think he can outquicken them at Monmouth with the short 1 1/2 furlong finish after turning for home. I think that plays into his hands.

when he has his way he has a brilliant finish. One of the best in the world. He usually demolishes most of his local competition the instant he kicks in gear. At the high class level their are three animals and three men fighting for two paths. He hasn't responded well to that.

I think he will give a good effort and display a good kick here. A win would be surprising but is possible, a top 5 finish more likely. He will also be a slight underlay.

he looked determined squeezing thru a space too small for him the other day. i couldn't believe they made it thru.

He sure was. Those were lesser animals that managed to successfully race-ride him and still got trounced. Imagine how their actual ability lines up. There is no doubt that Pletcher has this one's late kick at a brilliant level. The horse itself always has to pass the class test as well in the world class races.

Don't get me wrong, i like English Channel and against the American turf horses he is usually in a different league...... BUT if any of our half decent turf horses come over to Monmouth (which they more than likely will), English Channel will be in for a serious beating again.

He has been facing weak fields of late in my opinion, and can do nothing more than beat them fairly easily.

He won't be winning the BC turf though. Red Rocks wasn't exactly a superstar (far from it) and he made English Channel look like a claimer last year.

thats the dumb ass statement of the year...

The two horses that were running second to last and last for the majority of the race finished 1st and 2nd. The race set up perfectly for closers. Of all the horses on or near the lead last year EC was the ONLY one to finish well at all when he finished 3rd.

Much sharper turns and shorter run for home will be the Euro's undoing this year.

His G1 on derby day in the woodford reserve was against a decent field. I' ve always like EC and his running style usually provides a perfect trip. I don't think he can beat BTN at monmouth with a fast pace in the breeders cup. He isn't a 12 furlong horse. 9 or 10 is his best distance.

:D and you said my post was the dumb ass statement of the year. You quickly took the crown off me.

If the likes of Dylan Thomas come over the BC turf, your horses have not got a chance around any track. Much sharper turns and run for home is a very poor argument. Most of out horses that will be pin pointed there have the speed to win over 10 furlongs, too. A sharp track won't bother them. If only Manduro didn't injure himself, he would have blown everything away.

That's just ridiculous. Sharper turns do matter, especially if the turf is firm.