Quote:
Originally Posted by NTamm1215
I have been a First Dude fan and it had mostly to do with him going through the rigors of a tough campaign and holding up really well (minus the BC Classic).
With all due respect to Dale Romans, Bob Baffert has done a very good job with First Dude. He has shed the "lumbering ox" type of running style which was used countless times to no avail. He clearly is comfortable sitting off the pace now, and even though he's very slow to get in stride, he's finishing unlike he did last year.
I thought the Hollywood Gold Cup was a very solid effort and didn't view the final quarter as the eyesore that many saw it.
As far as where First Dude stacks up, I don't agree with somebody like Mike Watchmaker, who rates him the top of the division, but he's obviously one of the 3-4 best.
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You know I respect your opinion Nick, but Game on Dude isn't much and Twirling Candy just isn't as effective at 10 furlongs as he is going shorter. No one else lifted a hood except for Setsuko, whose jockey acted like the race ended at the 1/4 pole.
I was a big First Dude fan last year as well and I'm glad he's avenged some of his narrow defeats last year. But I can't agree it was a very solid effort. I guess in terms of what is out there right now it was okay, but if he loses by a neck are people still acting like he ran some big race?