Marsalis ~ Momentous
 

Colt debuts for Asmussen in the 4th at FairGrounds this Sat Feb19.
I have a friend who works at the track and he says that Asmussen not only guarantees a win, but says he will shade 1:10 flat.

He's by Curlin out of a Dixie Union mare who has produced a few Stakes winners. Let's see if the hype is right.
Only think that's certain is he will surely be overbet.

I want to bet the over on 1:10

How many lunches?

Run Happy Part II? :rolleyes:

I’m at FairGrounds today and the hype is in full effect. Both track handicappers picked him.
Going in the gate…

Nice race…at least he broke 1:10 LOLOL

Well....he was right about the time. Unfortunately he didn't count on anyone going a little faster!

The best part of watching the race was the numbers on the screen had absolutely nothing to do with the running order:-)

:p

Rough day at FG today.
All three turf Stakes were won by runners I could never have picked.
35-1
24-1
19-1

Lecomte day on Jan22 also saw a few longshots win turf Stakes.
Throw in the Cox bomb who won the Rachel A and it all adds up to one heck of a crappy afternoon.
The only fun I had was watching the Marsalis race.

I'm a terrible handicapper
:wf:wf:wf

Are all the best horses concentrated in just a few individuals' hands? Might have to ask Robert Reich to analyze this.

Marsalis, trained by Steve Asmussen is by Curlin...trained by Steve Asmussen, out of Hot Dixie Chick, a Spinaway winner...trained by Steve Asmussen, the dam is a half-sister to KY Derby winner Always Dreaming...trained by Todd Pletcher.

Momentous, trained by Todd Pletcher is by Speightstown...trained by Todd Pletcher, the second dam Dance Quietly, a stakes winner...trained by Todd Pletcher, the second dam is a half-sister to Quiet Giant, the dam of HOY Gun Runner...trained by Steve Asmussen.

Earlier on this thread there was a bet about whether the race would shade 1:10. It went in 9 and change.

The same figure (10) may apply to how many total career starts each colt ultimately makes...

BUMP and fast forward to this Saturday (LaDerby Day)...

My race track pal to Asmussen: you've never been favored in the FG Oaks and LaDerby in the same year before
Asmussen: Echo Zulu should win the Oaks and Epicenter will win the Derby, so we'll see

No great prediction, but let's see how he fares this time. Maybe both will lose by a nose, as Marsalis did.
Speaking of Marsalis, he is entered in Race 7 on Saturday.

Somebody had a good day today.
I think Asmussen won five, including Marsalis (in 109.40 ;)) and the two big races with the above runners.
Echo Zulu and Epicenter imressed me.
She wasn't fully fit off a four month break and dug in to hold off Hidden Connection...by the way, did you catch HC's gallop out? She went ten lengths clear and was still going well when she got to the backside. I'll be waiting for her in the Oaks.
Epicenter showed he could rate and still win for fun.
yeah, the track was kind of speed favoring but I wouldn't downgrade any of those races because of it.

Had a great time out there today

I thought Epicenter was very impressive. Should be the Derby favorite…until someone else runs a bigger race. Which could happen by next weekend.

I was very impressed with Epicenter today. He's getting better and he rated so kindly that it bodes well for him going forward.

I get what you say about Echo Zulu. I can't really explain why, but if she makes the KY Oaks, I want no part of her. She needed the race today and I'll probably eat crow but I think she's going to be one of those horses that doesn't really progress from 2 to 3

She feels like an Acorn/Test horse. That's not a bad thing, but I doubt she excels in the longer races. My guess is at heart, Asmussen feels similar ( not that he would like to admit agreeing with me about anything ).

I also think you may be right that she didn't improve. I also wonder why it took so long to get started this year.