6/14 (CD): Stephen Foster Day

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I don't know, Smart Strike has got at least a few solid turf runners. I don't think it's completely crazy that they would want to try the Arc.

Correct. And it's not completely crazy to put Einstein on dirt. He's 2-for-4 lifetime on it, and he ran a 98 Beyer in the Donn. Probably good enough to get third in this race, maybe second if Grasshopper shits the bed again. And what huge turf race is coming up that this will rule him out of?

[Sightseek]

I just don't think anybody likes to be happy...a trainer is actually willing to do something different and take a shot and everyone wants to know why they are 'wasting' the start, yet at the same time those same people will complain when horses are kept in the barn or duck the competition.

[Clip-Clop]

I was really kind of hoping that Papa would send Perfect Drift in to get a piece of this.

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I just don't think anybody likes to be happy...a trainer is actually willing to do something different and take a shot and everyone wants to know why they are 'wasting' the start, yet at the same time those same people will complain when horses are kept in the barn or duck the competition.

Yes because when we use that logic we realize there aren't any turf races at this time for the horse to run in.

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

There really isn't any until next month.

There was the Manhattan. Incompetence spreads like a deadly virus. If they're so desperate for a race maybe they should wait for the Gold Cup in two weeks. There's no need to put this horse against Curlin. It's a waste of time.

Am I the only one who thinks that Pitts made the decision on this one with revenge on her mind? I can understand why she'd have sour grapes...but what good can come from running Einstein on a track that will be equal to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's surface? It's not like this horse has any shot against Curlin unless something goes horribly wrong.

I just can't think of any other viable reason that doesn't border on insanity.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

There was the Manhattan. Incompetence spreads like a deadly virus. If they're so desperate for a race maybe they should wait for the Gold Cup in two weeks. There's no need to put this horse against Curlin. It's a waste of time.

Except if they run him in the Gold Cup, he can't run in the Firecracker or in a Million prep. Not to mention the cross-country ship and Cushion Track issues.

I don't understand what the big problem is. There's no one in the race other than Curlin, the horse needs a race and it's not like he's been abysmal on dirt.

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Except if they run him in the Gold Cup, he can't run in the Firecracker or in a Million prep. Not to mention the cross-country ship and Cushion Track issues.

I don't understand what the big problem is. There's no one in the race other than Curlin, the horse needs a race and it's not like he's been abysmal on dirt.

Oh yes the illustrious Firecracker. Big purse on that one.

If the purse isn't an issue I don't see why Churchill can't card a bunny race like Gulfstream did for War Pass this winter.

Cushion track issues? If he has issues on Cushion Track then they will be tenfold on the speedway. It's dry as a bone down here right now.


Also remember this horse has been shelved the past two years over injuries. This just seems like a bad risk to me. I hope he comes out of the race ok, but I think he'll be shelved again.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Oh yes the illustrious Firecracker. Big purse on that one.

If the purse isn't an issue I don't see why Churchill can't card a bunny race like Gulfstream did for War Pass this winter.

Cushion track issues? If he has issues on Cushion Track then they will be tenfold on the speedway. It's dry as a bone down here right now.


Also remember this horse has been shelved the past two years over injuries. This just seems like a bad risk to me. I hope he comes out of the race ok, but I think he'll be shelved again.

The hard track concern is a good point, but it doesn't make any more sense to ship him across the country, IMO. And the Firecracker would essentially be a prep for the Million and he'd be a lock to win it, so wouldn't it at least be nice to have the option of running in it?

Would it be safer to save him for a turf race in July? Probably. But I don't see the huge travesty in trying Curlin off the plane from Dubai in a $1 million race with no one else of note (except maybe Grasshoper) entered.

If the dirt is as bad as you say it is, I'd be concerned about everyone's safety, not just Einstein's.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

There was the Manhattan. Incompetence spreads like a deadly virus. If they're so desperate for a race maybe they should wait for the Gold Cup in two weeks. There's no need to put this horse against Curlin. It's a waste of time.

Collected a $200,000 check. Sure doesn't seem like a waste of time to me.

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Collected a $200,000 check. Sure doesn't seem like a waste of time to me.

Oh you got me there.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Oh you got me there.

Do you still feel the same way? He's now G1-placed on dirt and got $200,000 for the run. Was it still a waste of time?

[Slewbopper]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Collected a $200,000 check. Sure doesn't seem like a waste of time to me.

More dough for the fen phen plaintiffs

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

He probably can't beat him. But isn't this the time to try and beat Curlin, coming back from Dubai? I don't think it's a stretch to think he can run second in here. It's not like he's some bum. He would have been the favorite in the Manhattan last weekend. I'd just rather see him running, than sitting in the barn waiting for a turf race in a few weeks.

I wouldn't bother complaining if he were a bum. I actually like the horse and don't want to see him out for the rest of the year...which seems to be his pattern. And I don't feel this race helps his chances of making it to the Breeders cup.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

I wouldn't bother complaining if he were a bum. I actually like the horse and don't want to see him out for the rest of the year...which seems to be his pattern. And I don't feel this race helps his chances of making it to the Breeders cup.

now, in that regard, yes-i can see why it might be a question mark as to why they're running.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I just don't think anybody likes to be happy...a trainer is actually willing to do something different and take a shot and everyone wants to know why they are 'wasting' the start, yet at the same time those same people will complain when horses are kept in the barn or duck the competition.

I'm not unhappy that the horse is running - quite frankly I don't care either way. But if I were connected to the horse I wouldn't enter him in a race he can't win. . . he's probably the best turf horse in America and he's already won two Grade 1's this year - so why the rush to throw him into this race? And they already took a shot with him in the Donn and he didn't win - and there was no Curlin in that race. Wait for the races that are right for him - it's only June.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I'm not unhappy that the horse is running - quite frankly I don't care either way. But if I were connected to the horse I wouldn't enter him in a race he can't win. . . he's probably the best turf horse in America and he's already won two Grade 1's this year - so why the rush to throw him into this race? And they already took a shot with him in the Donn and he didn't win - and there was no Curlin in that race. Wait for the races that are right for him - it's only June.

it's not a rush-the horse was geared up for a race, and then they couldn't run due to his owner being in jail, and the licensing being a mess. he's ready for a race, and just the other day there was serious doubt that curlin would even show.
if people entered a race only with the expectation that they could WIN, we wouldn't have very many large fields.

and for everyone saying curlin can't lose, all i can say is big brown and the belmont. you never know.

[Clip-Clop]

Big Brown is NO Curlin, that is for sure.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

Big Brown is NO Curlin, that is for sure.

true, he did finish ahead of a gutty filly.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I just don't think anybody likes to be happy...a trainer is actually willing to do something different and take a shot and everyone wants to know why they are 'wasting' the start, yet at the same time those same people will complain when horses are kept in the barn or duck the competition.

exactly-he's two for for, which i see ateam also pointed out. he couldn't run where they were pointing him, and he's ready to go. why not go for a shot at an inflated purse? curlin is vulnerable-first back after dubai, and he is carrying more weight than he will in the classic for example. best time to take a shot imo.