What people are forgetting about Flower Alley
 

Flower Alley lost by 15 lengths last year to Borrego in his race right before the BC Classic. He then last by 1 to St. Liam on the same track in the BC Classic.

people should not speculate about this horse until he runs poorly in more than one race. He was not 100% for the Whitney.

couldn't agree more

Some good points. We are speculating as to what happened and his condition. Your input brings another perspective and that's what we're looking for. tx much.

Same here, He seemed to be right w/ the pace most of the race and just got tired. He needs to be more fit. Sun King ran a very impressive race, Invasor was lucky to hang on.

Yup, he was right there at the top of the stretch. It takes a lot longer to get in top shape than most people realize, that's for sure. It doesn't happen in a month or 2. It takes a while. The competition is fierce and the horses are great athletes.

Sun King has a problem winning races. That is 3 seconds in a row. Invasor knows how to win. That is 8 wins in 9 tries. Three grade 1 wins consecutively.

Hoist.. you bring up some good points. Maybe as fan we're jaded. Either way, my gutt says somethings amiss. I guess we'll find out and I truly hope you're right and im wrong.

He's another 2nd away from being a confirmed hanger.

from the drf. I agree.

"Ah, Sun King. You never disappoint. You're the greatest tease in the thoroughbred game. You never do anything wrong per se. You're not a tail swisher, or an ill-behaved buffoon, but you just can't find that extra oomph to win the big ones. It’s a combination of the Perfect Drift ‘hang’ mentality with the fact that you’re facing good horses. After all, Invasor and Silver Train are quality Grade 1 winners.

You sat a good trip in the Whitney despite the outside post. Sure, you swung six wide turning for home, but you had every chance to pass them all in the lane. And you almost did just that. Every handicapper has one, or two, or three thousand horses that they are “married” to. I’m not going to divorce Sun King, but the sun is setting on his career, and the competition should only get tougher. That elusive Grade 1 victory may remain just out of his reach."

Don't think you can consider him a hanger off of this performance, he was in front after the wire. He was MOVIN at the end, that isn't hanging in my opinion, I also think Invasor was dead tired at the end, Invasor has some SERIOUS fight in him, and lets keep in mind that while considered a 4 year old, he is a three old really. Southern Hemisphere breeding are a 'year' ahead, when they are really not, if they makes any sense

I am wondering how long until Candy Stripes starts coming to the states, if he hasn't already, there has been a ton of good strong gritty horses that have come to the US from him...

But Scavs, its the totality of his career, not one race. He doesn't seem to want to go by. No, he's not facing tin cans, that's true, but sometimes a spade is a spade.

Invasor would now be a 4yr old.

Alright, I can see that point

Invasor is officially 4 years old. he was born August 3rd 2002

I know the January 1st rule, but still he has to still be developing, amazing horse

Can you say Cat thief, I am a firm believer that Sun King will be the best value in the Classic and win it!

I don't think it's fair to say the sun is setting on Sun King's career. I mean, he's only four, and he certainly hasn't been unsound, has he?

He didnt do much when he was here. He also seems to throw some conformation issues and the South American broodmare population seems a lot more "sound" than ours. Its not uncommon for stallions to be mediocre at best here and just "click" with SA mares and create internally competitive horses.

Southern Hemisphere horses turn on August 1. Northern Hemisphere horses on January 1. His birthdate really doesn't mean anything except that he was born after August 1.

He is an excellent horse. He knows how to win.

I would bet he finishes second and perfect drift third. ;)

Speaking of Candy, whatever happened to the infamous Candy Ride?

Oh those latin mares

:D :D

(I don't usually use comedy smiley faces but I figured I would try this time, since GPK will probably comment on this once he sees it)