Barbaro (the Champ)

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Oh yeah? Well I can fart the national anthem.

Back on topic: Barbaro as of right now probably holds a slight lead over Bern for top three year old due to the sentimental vote. BUT if Bern wins the JCGC and runs in the money in the Classic, then he absolutely has to win the award. Anything less would be robbery.

runs in the money in the classic...? Well maybe, Flower Alley was second, so was Medaglia...both were also Travers winners correct? When is the last 3 to win the BCC? it was Tiznow right? I suppose he'd move ahead of him witha Jockey Club win, but it seems to be coming up a bit light, just like the fields in all the other races Bernardini wins...

Originally Posted by BellamyRd.

runs in the money in the classic...? Well maybe, Flower Alley was second, so was Medaglia...both were also Travers winners correct? When is the last 3 to win the BCC? it was Tiznow right? I suppose he'd move ahead of him witha Jockey Club win, but it seems to be coming up a bit light, just like the fields in all the other races Bernardini wins...

It's all a matter of opinion. You like Barbaro. I like him as well and was pessimistic about Bernardini.

The Travers changed my opinion. Just like Lava Man, (who I still think is a fluke) all Bernardini can do is run in the big races. It's not his fault the competition is lacking. His Beyer was a 116. Not too many of the 'what if' horses like Barbaro and the others could have much say in that kind of a performance.

[TitanSooner]

Why would you say Lava Man is a fluke? Oh wait, that's right, he's from California...

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

Why would you say Lava Man is a fluke? Oh wait, that's right, he's from California...

I'm with you on that one.

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

Why would you say Lava Man is a fluke? Oh wait, that's right, he's from California...

Well I was going to answer but it looks like you already have settled on an answer that suits you. Nice going, homer.

[TitanSooner]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Well I was going to answer but it looks like you already have settled on an answer that suits you. Nice going, homer.

I actually haven't settled on the fact that he's a fluke.. I hope he runs big in Kentucky.. If he doesn't, I still won't knock what he's accomplished this year. Has he run against stellar fields? probably not, but the same statement many have made for Bernardini can apply to Lava Man.. that he only runs in the best races and it's not his fault who, or who doesn't, enter against him.. Is he as good as Bernardini? I'm realistic.. I'm just tired of the "Once he ships out of CA into real racing, he gets his head handed to him." Can he ship? hasn't proven it yet but I hope he does. I do think he's a different animal than last year, and to call him a fluke after what he's done this year in the best races carded on the circuit and on different surfaces is just plain silly.

sincerely yours,
Homer

Originally Posted by TitanSooner

I actually haven't settled on the fact that he's a fluke.. I hope he runs big in Kentucky.. If he doesn't, I still won't knock what he's accomplished this year. Has he run against stellar fields? probably not, but the same statement many have made for Bernardini can apply to Lava Man.. that he only runs in the best races and it's not his fault who, or who doesn't, enter against him.. Is he as good as Bernardini? I'm realistic.. I'm just tired of the "Once he ships out of CA into real racing, he gets his head handed to him." Can he ship? hasn't proven it yet but I hope he does. I do think he's a different animal than last year, and to call him a fluke after what he's done this year in the best races carded on the circuit and on different surfaces is just plain silly.

sincerely yours,
Homer

The difference in Lava Man and the Midwest and East Coast contingent is at least the majority of the top horses this side of the country have traveled outside of their area and faced different competition.

Not giving Lava Man a prep at Belmont or Keeneland is going to backfire. Running him in the Hirsch is avoiding all challengers that matter. The horse might not be a fluke, but his connections sure are acting like he is.

I want the horse to compete with the best. What's left in California?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

The difference in Lava Man and the Midwest and East Coast contingent is at least the majority of the top horses this side of the country have traveled outside of their area and faced different competition.

Not giving Lava Man a prep at Belmont or Keeneland is going to backfire. Running him in the Hirsch is avoiding all challengers that matter. The horse might not be a fluke, but his connections sure are acting like he is.

I want the horse to compete with the best. What's left in California?

Putting him in a turf race makes perfect sense...the oldest angle in the sport (that actually works) is turf to dirt! This will set him up perfectly for the BCC, winning a dirt race against any competition as a prep would be meaningless...the BCC win has to be the objective if they want HOY!

[TitanSooner]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

The difference in Lava Man and the Midwest and East Coast contingent is at least the majority of the top horses this side of the country have traveled outside of their area and faced different competition.

Not giving Lava Man a prep at Belmont or Keeneland is going to backfire. Running him in the Hirsch is avoiding all challengers that matter. The horse might not be a fluke, but his connections sure are acting like he is.

I want the horse to compete with the best. What's left in California?

Excellent response.. however, shipping outside of a horse's "area" in the east coast is much easier than shipping from California. The closest "Major" track to us is.. Kentucky. We're an island out here as far as that is concerned. The Hirsch wouldn't be my choice for a prep either, but I'm not a trainer and don't get paid to make those decisions.. Will it backfire? Maybe.. I hope not as I want to see him run his best race against that monster so there are no excuses for anyone. Can't wait to see that race.. just hope everyone stays healthy for it.

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

The difference in Lava Man and the Midwest and East Coast contingent is at least the majority of the top horses this side of the country have traveled outside of their area and faced different competition.

Not giving Lava Man a prep at Belmont or Keeneland is going to backfire. Running him in the Hirsch is avoiding all challengers that matter. The horse might not be a fluke, but his connections sure are acting like he is.

I want the horse to compete with the best. What's left in California?

the majority of top east coast horses have shipped?? top ones? flower alley was the big pick all spring, he hasn't traveled. invasor ran in the pimlico special, and then twice in new york. he probably hasn't put any more miles on than lava man since last fall, with him going to the japan cup, and invasor to dubai--neither of them got a win, only frequent flier miles.
as for lack of competition in the hirsch, what do you consider the tin man?

what would a prep at keeneland (big sandy) or keeneland (polycrap) do as a prep for churchill??? o'neill said they plan to go to churchill weeks ahead of the bcc to get lava man acclimated. they've obviously learned from their mistakes last year, when he shipped twice in a row without success....i'd think he'd get a bit of a pass on that considering the state he was in just after his last race in cali before shipping!! they had to van him off the track due to exhaustion, and chose to ignore the signs and shipped...twice. oops...he hasn't missed a beat since.