Travers Buzz: Quality Road a yes..

Kasept · #1 08-05-2009, 05:09 AM

Travers next up for Quality Road
By Mike Welsch

http://www.drf.com/news/article/106086.html

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - On Tuesday morning, Quality Road became the focal point of similar praise following his record-setting performance Monday afternoon in the Grade 2 Amsterdam. While Rachel Alexandra's connections remain noncommittal regarding the Travers, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed that if all goes well, Quality Road is definitely headed to the midsummer Derby.

Much more at link in Welsch's Saratoga track note piece...

Round Pen · #2 08-05-2009, 06:00 AM

Quality Road in the travers would be one of the biggest bet againsts that I have seen in awhile.

Reason had not run in 4 months prior to the Amsterdam. Then sets a track record(depending on whose final time you look at) going 6 1/2 furlongs. Then going to Come back in 26 days and run a 1 1/4 in the Travers. Thats a very tall order for any horse. thats why he will not be on my tickets.

boswd · #3 08-05-2009, 06:49 AM

Mine That Bird in
Summer Bird in
Quality Road in
Rachel Alxeandra ? Come on Steve make this one of the greatest Travers in recent memory. If RA goes that place will break the attendance, weather permiting, record.

It would have such electricity about the place, it would just be insane.

Run Rachel Run

South Beach Luv · #4 08-05-2009, 07:24 AM

If Rachel doesn't run, is Mine That Bird or Quality Road the favorite?

dalakhani · #5 08-05-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by South Beach Luv

If Rachel doesn't run, is Mine That Bird or Quality Road the favorite?

I would think Quality Road.

I agree with Round Pen. QR wouldnt be a very good bet at what likely will be short odds. Maybe he is some kind of super freak and he wins but it still looks like a very poor bet. I wouldnt bet a horse going 10f for the first time 3 weeks after prepping with a 6.5 furlong sprint. Throw in the fact that it is following an injury and four month layoff and it looks like a strong bet against.

Gander · #6 08-05-2009, 08:29 AM

I think Quality Road is the Travers favorite, as I have a feeling Rachael wont go (I hope I am wrong). Wouldnt appeal to me as a betting race because I think Quality Road could win the race, but he will be in the neighborhood of 6/5 without Rachael in there. Now, throw Rachael in there and it becomes a great betting race if you think she is beatable.

jpops757 · #7 08-05-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I would think Quality Road.

I agree with Round Pen. QR wouldnt be a very good bet at what likely will be short odds. Maybe he is some kind of super freak and he wins but it still looks like a very poor bet. I wouldnt bet a horse going 10f for the first time 3 weeks after prepping with a 6.5 furlong sprint. Throw in the fact that it is following an injury and four month layoff and it looks like a strong bet against.

Quality Road has proved his quality. Couldnt this be considered a6.5f work, preping for the Travers? If it was just a work, some would say it was perfect work 26 days out and now they would just work on his conditioning.

-BT- · #8 08-05-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Round Pen

Quality Road in the travers would be one of the biggest bet againsts that I have seen in awhile.

Reason had not run in 4 months prior to the Amsterdam. Then sets a track record(depending on whose final time you look at) going 6 1/2 furlongs. Then going to Come back in 26 days and run a 1 1/4 in the Travers. Thats a very tall order for any horse. thats why he will not be on my tickets.

thats a pretty bold stand right there.............personally i still think he's one of the best 3 YO's in the country, and has a pretty solid chance

-bt-

Thunder Gulch · #9 08-05-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -BT-

thats a pretty bold stand right there.............personally i still think he's one of the best 3 YO's in the country, and has a pretty solid chance

-bt-

Agree with you. This guy cruised 9f back in the spring and certainly wasn't pointing at the Amsterdam. There is evidence that the time may not have been legit, and the track was lightning fast, so it's not like the "modest" speed figures (103 Beyer) will point to a big bounce. On the contrary, they may show he's ready to jump again.

the_fat_man · #10 08-05-2009, 09:09 AM

Reminds me of that old Ray Milland movie, where a college professor discovers a liquid that repels when around wood and uses it to fashion a (short) career as a pitcher. He pretty much runs out of it for his final game, however.

It appears that Pletcher has found some of that Lawyer Ron elixir laying around. Would be interesting to see what kind of run QR puts in in the Travers. Stretchout not an issue, in this case.

Scav · #11 08-05-2009, 09:13 AM

I am surprised that more people haven't talked about the Amsterdam being a possible workout for the Travers. Trainers use races all the time to get their horses fit and maybe he needed an actual race to get him primed...

NTamm1215 · #12 08-05-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Reminds me of that old Ray Milland movie, where a college professor discovers a liquid that repels when around wood and uses it to fashion a (short) career as a pitcher. He pretty much runs out of it for his final game, however.

It appears that Pletcher has found some of that Lawyer Ron elixir laying around. Would be interesting to see what kind of run QR puts in in the Travers. Stretchout not an issue, in this case.

The difference is that Quality Road was a good horse before Pletcher got him. Lawyer Ron was a wayward minor graded stakes competitor.

I've always subscribed to the theory that Lawyer Ron needed a stronger rider and a more relaxed regimen and he got that moving to Pletcher's barn.

NT

tector · #13 08-05-2009, 09:16 AM

Assuming QR took care of business in the Travers, and RA did so in the Woodward, they could always meet in the JCGC. Unlike the terminally boring connections of Zenyatta, the players in these camps are not going to be afraid of making it happen.

The Woodward is the logical spot for her, especially given Kensai, who needs an opportunity to pump up his value as a stallion. If Pletcher is so all fired hot to have QR meet her, he can show up there, too. I really fail to see why, given her accomplishments to date, RA is obligated to go anywhere for anybody at this point. If she runs in a race that is absolutely open to anybody--fillies and colts--3YO and up--she is taking on all comers. What the hell more do you want? It is the others who are not taking up the gauntlet. She is the leading candidate for HOY right now. If somebody else wants it they can come to her or (probably, if they are named QR, Zenyatta and maybe Einstein) go win the BC Classic.

Handicappy · #14 08-05-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -BT-

thats a pretty bold stand right there.............personally i still think he's one of the best 3 YO's in the country, and has a pretty solid chance

-bt-

I do as well. I hope they run Rachel. It will be an exciting race. I doubt they will however. I am sure Jackson/Assmussan will put Kensei in as Rachel probably has less to prove in their eyes. It sure would be fun. But in response to Serlings Twitter question, I still don't think I will go to the track just for that race unless I get invited again.