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Originally Posted by parsixfarms
So you're saying she'd be a cinch in the Travers?
Regardless of how impressive her last two efforts were, there's no question in my mind that the Travers would be her most challenging assignment to date. Quality Road is probably the most talented male in this crop. Even if he's not up to winning this off one prep race, he plays a huge role in the outcome of the race. With a legitimate pace (very likely with Our Edge and Quality Road), the race could set up for either of the Birds if they run their "A" race. In particular, I agree with Freddy that Summer Bird should be expected to improve significantly off his Haskell. He pressed the pace, not his most effective running style, on the worst part of the Monmouth track on Haskell Day. And it's not like Rachel beat Mine That Bird "like a drum" in the Preakness. The added distance and more quality speed (as opposed to Big Drama who, with only one 2009 start and various pre-race antics, was done at the half-mile pole in the Preakness) could certainly aid his cause, if he's 100% after last week's surgery.
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I wasn't referring to her beating MTB like a drum but Summer Bird. I think the excuses about Summer Bird's trip at Monmouth have some validity but everyone's forgetting that he gamely held on over a stretched-out sprinter, a confirmed mediocrity in Papa Clem and Duke of Mischief.
I never said the Travers was a foregone conclusion, not in any way, shape or form. I am certainly willing to listen to anybody who wants to bet against her, but excuses like, she might get into trouble, her jockey might be intimidated, or she might race in traffic are kind of a waste of time in my opinion.
Let me just say this as well, I've been a Quality Road guy since shortly after the third race on November 29 last year, but everyone is putting him on this monstrous pedestal and I really think he could be in line to be very disappointing in the Travers. A 10 furlong race 2nd off an injury-induced layoff is a tall order. I hope we can see him and Rachel square off.
NT