[ELA]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I don't think it's " lame " at all.....in fact I think it is just the opposite. I am trying to dissuade people from betting a horse that I believe has little or no chance and even at 40:1, and I think he will be considerably lower, is an underlay.

Perhaps I should " back it up ", and I will, but I don't offer my opinions unless I feel I can back them up....it's basically implicit and more than most I have probably earned that right. However, in a nutshell, while Smooth Air is a nice and talented horse, what he showed inarguably is that he will not get better as the distances get longer. He had an absolute dream trip and set-up in the Florida Derby, made what looked to be a winning move on the turn, and then had absolutely no finish. The only reason he finished second was that there were no horses of quality ( besides the winner ) competing that day. Any that may be better than him, Elysium Fields comes to mind, did not fire at all. Essentially he was second by default....just as Tomcito was third for the same reasons. Look how many were fooled by him.

By the way -- I may not agree with Andy's opinion, and my friend (friend's family) owns Smooth Air.

Eric