Trappe Shot
 

I don't know how good he is because he's dusted only Florida -breds twice in a row, but this colt just won by about 13 lengths at Gulfstream. McLaughlin said prior to the race that he'd aim for the Withers if all went well. He's a fast horse.

I have really been following this horse since he worked at the FT sale last May at Timonium.
He has a load of talent, looks like he could be this years Bernardini.
It looks like he is taking the same route to the summer classics.

I think his original name was Tashop, which I hated; I like Trappe Shot much better. That said, I hope he does not point for the Preakness...

Why, Betsy?

I tend to be conservative. You referenced Bernardini - I loved Bernardini. I love this horse as well, but I don't think he's another Bernardini. I knew Miner's Reserve shouldn't have run yesterday and I was right. Why push Trappe Shot?

So where would you run him?

I think they have been conservative enough this winter, with the Fla state breds.

My dear, please, these are not lawn ornaments, these are racehorses. Granted, he'll still be eligible for an open N1X but what do you think they should do, try and clear a N1X then run against older horses in a N2X? If not the Preakness then would you be happier with a Derby Trial-Woody Stephens type progression?

NT

Well, first let him win the Withers first. After that, I don't know - I find it hard to believe that the Preakness is the only race he could be pointed at.

Ok, so race him - I never said not to. He may not even win the Withers, so this could all be moot. I don't have any clue where Trappe Shot could run besides the Preakness, but there have to be other races where he could avoid the big guns. By the way, I am glad Zito is running Fly Down in the Louisiana Derby. Unlike Miner's Reserve, who was coming off a maiden win (and who Zito changed course with on the spur of the moment), this horse has already won twice around 2 turns and ran a really nice race last out. I don't think Nick is pushing this horse, but I think he pushed Miner's Reserve. I would prefer to see Trappe Shot not be thrown to the wolves the same way.

You make Mike Huckabee look like Al Franken.

LOL Maybe so. Well, it turned out well for Miner's Reserve, did it not? He finished next to last. On the other hand, to be fair to Zito, perhaps it turned out that way because the colt's maiden win was a fraud rather than it being a bad decision on Zito's part.

What exactly would you do with Trappe Shot since you think I'm being overly conservative? It's not like this horse wowed anyone on this board; when he broke his maiden and then after today, no one posted about him. If you guys all think he's talented enough to point to the Preakness, then why am I the first to mention him?

I would run him in the Withers, then cut back and take the Woody Stephens and then go from there.... Just me. Maybe point towards the Jim Dandy-Travers, I would just skip the Triple Crown at this point.

It's a wonder that fellas like Zito and McLaughlin win Classic races.

Since you didn't post about the colt's performance, I'm assuming you weren't impressed. In that case, I'm also assuming you think it would be a bad move to go to the Preakness. Instead of making a snarky comment, you could try and explain why going to the Preakness would be a good idea. I won't hold my breath waiting, though. You also failed to comment about Miner's Reserve's performance. Tell me again how it was a good idea to run him yesterday?

That sounds ok by me; I think he's more of a sprinter/miler anyway.

You're crazy, you know that right?

Actually, from the pre-race interview, it seemed as though the genius Kent Desormeaux went over Zito's head and talked the owner into running (one can imagine Big Brown's name being invoked in that phone call). Zito, who didn't seem too pleased telling the story (he said Desormeaux was "politicing"), likely had little to do with it, and ended up with a black spot on his otherwise big day.

Of course, Desormeaux pulled out all the stops to make himself look smart, taking the colt wide into the turn while restraining the colt early, disarming his best weapon, his early speed.

Don't be surpised to see a new jockey on next time out.

This is a classic distance horse.

His Half sis...Miss Shop (by Deputy Minister) won a G1 at Saratoga going 10f.
His half brother...Looking around (by Crafty prospector) ran his 2 best beyers by far when he was finally stretched out to 9f.

Of course with ALL the sprinters Tapit is throwing, I see your point...:rolleyes:

My suggestion was as a start, after those 2 races he would still only have 5 career starts and some bottom for races like the Jim Dandy and Travers. I know his pedigree and it is distance.

Looks the part
 

Photo of Trappe Shot by Loise Reinagel