12/12 (HOL): Native Diver H. (G3) -- Mast Track 95 BSF
 

7th (3:35) Native Diver H. (G3)

1 1/8 Miles (All Weather Track) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $100,000

1 Mast Track Bejarano R 116 L
2 Lava Man Rosario J 118 L
3 Square Eddie Gomez G K 115 L
4 Neko Bay Smith M E 116 L
5 High Court Drama (IRE) Baze M C 113 L
6 Tres Borrachos Espinoza V 115 L

Not that it matters much, but why is Lava Man highweight?

Shouldn't there be a "statute of limitations" on a horse's race record?

In addition, with him being off for so long and O'Neill's caveat that he's "a little rusty", why didn't they run this horse in a claimer as an ineligible to be claimed entrant?

He's certainly no stranger to the claiming ranks.

I too don't understand why Lava Man is high weight.....even if it weren't for the layoff, he's on a multiple race losing streak, including a restricted Cal Bred stakes.

look at that field, Mast Track is several years removed from top form and the rest are still eligible for 3x...its a bad bad field.

That's a bit over the top.

Firstly, isn't Lava Man several years removed from top form, too?

Then, strictly on paper, you have a 6-horse field in a Grade 3 race. 3 of the 6 are previous Grade 1 winners (with another a Grade 2 winner).

Tres Borrachos, Mast Track, and Square Eddie are all graded stakes placed this year.

That being said, the horse with the least paper accomplisment among the main track horses, Neko Bay, has a huge shot in here. With just a little insurance from Mast Track or Square Eddie to keep Tres Borrachos from controlling the race, he should get it done.

That is, of course, unless Smith decides to pull another Desormeaux impersonation like he did in the BC Dirt Mile.

I just want Lava to come back in one piece.

heard he will scratch if it rains.......looks like a strong possibility here tomorrow.

he ( Lava Man ) is scratched

Neko Bay pretty much sucks but always gets bet because he runs "ok" and his connections. Stop betting bad horses, if it was a mid level claimer, then Neko Bay fits.

Well you're pretty much covered if he does happen to win, since you already called it a "bad, bad race".

Not to mention you've said he's as talented as 3 different 2009 Grade 1 winners recently.

Neko Bay sucks but it has nothing to do with talent, I assume thats an obvious statement looking at his PP's.

You never know how a Sheriffs horse will do in a graded race, even if his PPs are not up to par.

On speed figures he is fast enough but the horse has no desire to win, pulls himself up, and he usually runs respectable...is there anything worse for a player?

That judgement is still up in the air IMO.

He's hit the exacta in 9 of 11, and has only given up the lead in one start. In that race Monzante ran out of his skin, and Smith moved prematurely.
He did win his comeback well enough this year.

2 horse race IMO. Neko Bay and Square Eddie

Frankel wins again.

how about those fractions, no shot for any closer. A little surprised at the passive ride Tres Borrachos received.

I'm more surprised at Square Eddie being 7 lengths behind a 1:13 pace.

I was surprised as well. All his good races come when he tries to steal it.

As if there was any doubt given their shenanigans this spring, Square Eddie is thoroughly toast.

Maybe they'll embarrass him in a couple of Strub series outings, but we've reached the point where J. Paul Reddam really shines.

His first move will be to send the horse back to England with his former trainer, where he will train only, and then ship back to the US to race.

If that doesn't work, he'll probably try to run him against 2yos...