Flower Alley

[blackthroatedwind]

Suggesting he called Todd a liar is more than a little harsh, and you know that, and as someone with a little experience in this game I think you know exactly what that poster was inferring. Believe it or not, people tend to not tell the whole story more than occasionally in this game. I am with the other poster that Flower Alley more than likely had some sort of problem. Luckily it wasn't enough to end his career, as he's a very nice horse, and God knows we need more good horses. Some of the dreck that have been competing in our so-called marquee races for older horses don't even belong in competitive Grade 3s.

I have always liked Flower Alley ever since the insane ride Chavez gave him in the Derby, and don't disagree that as of now he has as much right to be the top older horse as any in the country. However, I am not going to get worked up over his win today against four overmatched opponents ( no, they weren't slugs, but they were hardly a noteworthy bunch ). And, just as we would have forgiven him had he struggled in the mud, we should also at least entertain the possibility that he relished it. I highly doubt you are one to draw conclusive opinions from wet track races...either positively or negatively.

Let's also keep in mind that this is a barn that fires on all cylanders when running fresh horses. More than a few have looked great early only to fizzle out badly. I doubt I need to supply any examples as they are plentiful.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Suggesting he called Todd a liar is more than a little harsh, and you know that, and as someone with a little experience in this game I think you know exactly what that poster was inferring. Believe it or not, people tend to not tell the whole story more than occasionally in this game. I am with the other poster that Flower Alley more than likely had some sort of problem. Luckily it wasn't enough to end his career, as he's a very nice horse, and God knows we need more good horses. Some of the dreck that have been competing in our so-called marquee races for older horses don't even belong in competitive Grade 3s.

I have always liked Flower Alley ever since the insane ride Chavez gave him in the Derby, and don't disagree that as of now he has as much right to be the top older horse as any in the country. However, I am not going to get worked up over his win today against four overmatched opponents ( no, they weren't slugs, but they were hardly a noteworthy bunch ). And, just as we would have forgiven him had he struggled in the mud, we should also at least entertain the possibility that he relished it. I highly doubt you are one to draw conclusive opinions from wet track races...either positively or negatively.

Let's also keep in mind that this is a barn that fires on all cylanders when running fresh horses. More than a few have looked great early only to fizzle out badly. I doubt I need to supply any examples as they are plentiful.

Black he said in todays DRF that there was no setback. Like you both I was thinking the same thing until I read that. Todd is indeed tight lipped, but for him to offer that up tells me that there was no setback. He could have avoided that question in a variety of ways, he said no setback.

[blackthroatedwind]

God, I hope that's not the first half-truth ever printed in a newspaper.

I like and respect Todd, but pardon me if I remain skeptical, I've just been around this game too long to be otherwise.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

God, I hope that's not the first half-truth ever printed in a newspaper.

I like and respect Todd, but pardon me if I remain skeptical, I've just been around this game too long to be otherwise.

I am the same way, but I truly think they planned a late start and when he came back it took em a while to get off the weight and get him fit, he may have been off TOO long. He looked much larger than he did last year today. I'm not the best source on horses looks but I pulled last years BCC I have stored and compared it to todays. He looked much bigger.

Originally Posted by oracle80

I am the same way, but I truly think they planned a late start and when he came back it took em a while to get off the weight and get him fit, he may have been off TOO long. He looked much larger than he did last year today. I'm not the best source on horses looks but I pulled last years BCC I have stored and compared it to todays. He looked much bigger.

I sat on the rail at CD Derby week last year with my former boss, Steve Fugitte, and Todd gallopped by with a grey colt and we asked if it was Argento and he said - and I quote..."**** you"...and ever since then I realized the type of man he was.....he may be great, but you don't tell a VP at CD to "**** off" for no reason when they ask if a particular horse was Argento (who was a cheap allowance turf colt that Pletcher had)....by the way, I know it was him...just thought it was hilarious that Pletcher was defensive...the horse never ran for a tag anyway......to say that Pletcher is 100% an honest and straight-shooting guy would be 100% bull****...he has an agenda and he always follows it....

[Scurlogue Champ]

Not to defend Pletcher, but I don't think Todd was the first one to tell Fugitte to **** off...nor the only one who wanted to.

Funny the perception of Pletcher though, I have heard quite a few similar stories concerning him and his "team."

[quote=moodwalker]Not to defend Pletcher, but I don't think Todd was the first one to tell Fugitte to **** off...nor the only one who wanted to.

Funny the perception of Pletcher though, I have heard quite a few similar stories concerning him and his "team."[/QUOTE

What business does a former trainer who couldnt make it on his own have asking a trainer who the horse is that he is galloping? Sorry but the last time I checked if you weren't the friend of that trainer, you have absolutely no business asking that question. He could be dropped in for a tag at some point.

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

I sat on the rail at CD Derby week last year with my former boss, Steve Fugitte, and Todd gallopped by with a grey colt and we asked if it was Argento and he said - and I quote..."**** you"...and ever since then I realized the type of man he was.....he may be great, but you don't tell a VP at CD to "**** off" for no reason when they ask if a particular horse was Argento (who was a cheap allowance turf colt that Pletcher had)....by the way, I know it was him...just thought it was hilarious that Pletcher was defensive...the horse never ran for a tag anyway......to say that Pletcher is 100% an honest and straight-shooting guy would be 100% bull****...he has an agenda and he always follows it....

WE Nyers tend to treat trash like trash. And Fugitte deserves respect because????? Refresh my memory please?

Originally Posted by oracle80

WE Nyers tend to treat trash like trash. And Fugitte deserves respect because????? Refresh my memory please?

Never said that he deserved respect, but Pletcher was way out of line there...I'm sure he was probably having a bad morning or something, but to turn to a VP at the track you are on and shout "F U" in front of several of racing fans out for Dawn at the Downs was not cool, classy or acceptable - even for a ragged NYer (he's a Dallas boy anyway so don't try to claim)..

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

Smart guy that Pletcher.

When you morons get up at 5:00 AM every morning 365 days a year than you can make your assinine comments.

i wish i could sleep in like that.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by Dixie Porter

Smart guy that Pletcher.

When you morons get up at 5:00 AM every morning 365 days a year than you can make your assinine comments.

This moron at least knows how to spell asinine. How many ways can you people find to spell this word, I have never seen anything like it.

[Scurlogue Champ]

Sometimes this board reminds me of watching those little feist dogs left in people's cars in parking lots. Just barking their heads off at any movement.