6/20 (BEL): Belmont, Woody Stephens, Acorn, Jaipur (G1's), more

[Alabama Stakes]

So Belmont Day starts with maiden claimers and draws 32 for the 5 stakes on the under card ? What gives ?

[moses]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

So Belmont Day starts with maiden claimers and draws 32 for the 5 stakes on the under card ? What gives ?

Agreed I thought there would be bigger fields/better card, but I’ve got no idea what they’re up against with the pandemic and with the attendance restrictions. All in all, I’m happy with the card.

[Konk]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

So Belmont Day starts with maiden claimers and draws 32 for the 5 stakes on the under card ? What gives ?

Wow.
Disappointing to say the least.
Why are other tracks filling the gates and Belmont can' fill up a big card?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Konk

Wow.
Disappointing to say the least.
Why are other tracks filling the gates and Belmont can' fill up a big card?

The non stakes have been pretty good. They’ve struggled to fill the stakes. Getting outworked by other racing offices

[moses]

Earlier this year, weren’t we all saying that Irad was trying to break in with Baffert when he rode Mucho Gusto? Was that overstated?

Now Gamine comes East and Baffert goes with John Velazquez and Irad rides Perfect Alibi for Casse. In his last race at Belmont, Baffert used JV in an allowance race on June 6 (a 3/2 favorite that lost by 9 lengths). For Mother Mother on June 5, he used Rosario.

Should we read anything into this other than maybe Johnny V is getting what he asked for from his new agent - better horses? I don’t recall Baffert/Velazquez teaming up much in the past but maybe I’m wrong.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by moses

Earlier this year, weren’t we all saying that Irad was trying to break in with Baffert when he rode Mucho Gusto? Was that overstated?

Now Gamine comes East and Baffert goes with John Velazquez and Irad rides Perfect Alibi for Casse. In his last race at Belmont, Baffert used JV in an allowance race on June 6 (a 3/2 favorite that lost by 9 lengths). For Mother Mother on June 5, he used Rosario.

Should we read anything into this other than maybe Johnny V is getting what he asked for from his new agent - better horses? I don’t recall Baffert/Velazquez teaming up much in the past but maybe I’m wrong.

You’ve been reading to much of Alabama Stakes stuff.

Irad rode Perfect Alibi three times last year, including a win in the Spinaway and her 4th in the Breeders Cup. Rosario has ridden Mother Mother out west.

Johnny went went to ride some 2 year olds for Baffert last year.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

You’ve been reading to much of Alabama Stakes stuff.

Irad rode Perfect Alibi three times last year, including a win in the Spinaway and her 4th in the Breeders Cup. Rosario has ridden Mother Mother out west.

Johnny went went to ride some 2 year olds for Baffert last year.

Lol. Being stuck at home must be starting to get to me. My unexplained thought about Rosario was that I thought it was odd that Baffert would pick Johnny V over Rosario. But I’m down on Johnny V these days.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by moses

Lol. Being stuck at home must be starting to get to me. My unexplained thought about Rosario was that I thought it was odd that Baffert would pick Johnny V over Rosario. But I’m down on Johnny V these days.

I hear ya. He’s actually been riding pretty good the last few weeks. Mounts help obviously, but he’s looked better than he did for most of last year.