Nafzger Thursday on Street Sense plans

[JDank34]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I obviously like his chances of winning the Belmont a lot more than I like his chances of winning the BC Classic.

With the addition of a Breeders Cup Dirt Mile---which will be run as a two-turn, one mile and seventy yard race---it seems likely that a lot of horses considered "pace factors" only, who entered the Classic in years past---may opt for the "Dirt Mile" instead.

A slow pace is something that is not to Street Sense's advantage.

People want to credit Street Sense's explosive turn-of-foot and his excellent manuverability...as the sole reasons he's got all these great trips....however, like all deep closers, he has no control on how fast the pace will be in front of him. The BC Classic is too far in advance to say for sure---but, logic would seem to suggest it might be a moderately paced race this year, and at Monmouth Park....deep closers in slow paced races often perform well below their best form.

I guess if Nafzger skips the Belmont--and is really focusing on the Breeders Cup Classic...he might try something like running him back in the Haskell (and getting a race over the track where the BC will be run)

From the Haskell, he could either go Travers-Jockey Club Gold Cup, or Travers and train up to the BC Classic.

Nafzger has a lot of viable options---and he seems like a guy who will do best by the horse. I think that much we can count on.

How in the heck can you label SS a deep closer? He is always within a couple lengths if not in the lead at the 3/16 pole. You have a hard *n against this horse, but to call him a deep closer is almost an elementary comment from a guy who watches races on a daily basis like you do.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by JDank34

How in the heck can you label SS a deep closer? He is always within a couple lengths if not in the lead at the 3/16 pole. You have a hard *n against this horse, but to call him a deep closer is almost an elementary comment from a guy who watches races on a daily basis like you do.

There sure have been a lot of stalker v. closer v. deep closer discussions on here the last few days. Whatever you choose to call Street Sense (I think I would call him a closer....but not a deep closer) DrugS's point remains true doesn't it?
In this horses two biggest wins he dropped back to 13th (out of 14) and 19th (out of 20). Horses with that style - whatever it is called - are always a little dependent on the pace of the race right?
I don't think that is insulting to the colt.

[blackthroatedwind]

His first comments after the Preakness, I believe, were to skip the Belmont and point for the Jim Dandy and Travers.

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

His first comments after the Preakness, I believe, were to skip the Belmont and point for the Jim Dandy and Travers.

Yes, but I believe he backed off that a little and said he'd consider the Belmont... though I doubt he goes there.

[deltagulf]

i'll like to see s.s. in belmont cause then rags can beat them all.

go girl!!

[tycharles01]

Hey SS runs in the BC Classic maybe we can all get 8/1 on Invasor again

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by tycharles01

Hey SS runs in the BC Classic maybe we can all get 8/1 on Invasor again

Good luck with that....

And for the people who have problems with me saying that Street Sense has been most effective as a "deep closer"

In Street Sense's three career best races....he's dropped way off the pace early.

He was 11th and double digits behind in the BC Juvie....

He was 19th and double digits behind in the Derby....

He was 2nd to last and double digit lengths behind in the Preakness

IN ALL THREE RACES HE HAD JUST ONE HORSE BEATEN----AND THAT ONE HORSE WAS CIRCULAR QUAY in two instances....and the hapless Imawildandcrazyguy in the other.

I realize he sat just off a 21.62 opening quarter in his maiden win---however, by defenition, he's considered a deep closer off his route form. I find it bizarre that I had to explain that....let alone had another moronic comment about a bias come up.

If anyone really thinks he will be pressing the leader through the early stages of the Breeders Cup Classic---they should probably just lock up and bet Invasor at the 8/1 odds he so obviously will be.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by zippyneedsawin

Yes, but I believe he backed off that a little and said he'd consider the Belmont... though I doubt he goes there.

Since Nafzger had said he'd rather not but would talk to the owner, does that say to you that Tafel might be leaning towards it or at least seriously considering it? He might think, and I'd agree with him here, that Street Sense was actually not beaten by another horse in the Preakness...he beat himself plain and simple and it's his own darn fault. Wasn't it Haskin that said you apparently can't tell which Street Sense is gonna show up, the one that blows them away by 10 or the one that hangs and starts taking up when he gets a little bored in front?

I'd get really frustrated though if he went in and won by daylight. We'd have lost the TC by a head. That's why I've got mixed feelings about this. The thing is, if Carl thinks he can point to a race and win with this horse, he can. Of course I don't wasnt this to be like Unbridled where there's no stakes win post-TC until the Classic (that's what I read anyway). I think it all depends on where Tafel feels he'll get the most satisfaction with a win. Should he not enter the Belmont and Curlin runs and wins, he has to win the Classic for sure, probably facing Invasor and Curlin, to get HOY. If Tafel wants that title, that to me dictates where he goes next---whatever will get him there. They were anxious for the 2yo title last time (even though we all knew the votes would come). I bet they want HOY and are planning the best course to get it.

[Withers]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

Since Nafzger had said he'd rather not but would talk to the owner, does that say to you that Tafel might be leaning towards it or at least seriously considering it? He might think, and I'd agree with him here, that Street Sense was actually not beaten by another horse in the Preakness...he beat himself plain and simple and it's his own darn fault. Wasn't it Haskin that said you apparently can't tell which Street Sense is gonna show up, the one that blows them away by 10 or the one that hangs and starts taking up when he gets a little bored in front?

I'd get really frustrated though if he went in and won by daylight. We'd have lost the TC by a head. That's why I've got mixed feelings about this. The thing is, if Carl thinks he can point to a race and win with this horse, he can. Of course I don't wasnt this to be like Unbridled where there's no stakes win post-TC until the Classic (that's what I read anyway). I think it all depends on where Tafel feels he'll get the most satisfaction with a win. Should he not enter the Belmont and Curlin runs and wins, he has to win the Classic for sure, probably facing Invasor and Curlin, to get HOY. If Tafel wants that title, that to me dictates where he goes next---whatever will get him there. They were anxious for the 2yo title last time (even though we all knew the votes would come). I bet they want HOY and are planning the best course to get it.

If Street Sense doesn't end up in the Belmont, it is a huge pity: let's hope the owner wins out on this one. The Belmont or the Classic, as if it is either/or? Heck, they are four months apart! Time we got us a racing commissioner who starts calling the owners and putting the pressure on. Street Sense is a strong, physically capable colt. If he's physically fit and doesn't go, it's a big shame. If we want a real Eclipse 3 YO champ, we need to see a Belmont with the top 3...if not, the whole thing just lacks meaning...