Nearly $2 Million in horse flesh running in today's 2nd at AQU

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by Linny

For the NY mainstays like Hushion, Billy Turner or a guy like Anthony Dutrow, these might be the best 3yo's they have. OTOH, a guy like Weaver or McLaughlin who are based in FLA over winter, they take their best to FLA.
Though this is a good opportunity to break your maiden for a big purse you just don't get as accurate a feel for your horse in terms of "classic potential" because when it comes down to it, many of these horses will be running for a $30k tag by Saratoga. In fact horses that win and place in the winter 3yo stakes usually can be had for a tag by year's end.
It's not like Darley is worried about the difference between the AQU purse and the GP purse for MSW's. They go to FLA with 3yo's to test them against the best 3yo's they can.

If you are saying that McL's horses here are not his best, that is true. But he has such a deep stable that even his second string horses are extremely well bred. I heard Contessa once say, "I'd love to have your second string" to Kiaran's assistant. Also, another consideration is that his assistant, who stays at AQU, Art Magnuson, tends to train much of Kiaran's stable at the start of their respective careers. Hence, one of his best may lurk in one of these MSW's up here. They ship back and forth all the time.