Va Derby

Ok, here is the story.

Showing Up is still possible for next weekend, but not likely. SU is done racing on the dirt though, which I did not know. He is likely going to Arlington for his next race, I guess that would be the Secretariat, and then he likely will make a start in the Turf Invitational, not sure where that is, and target the BC Turf or BC Mile.


Only 3 more races this year I guess, but they plan on bringing him back next year. There is likely a race in Europe in his future next year. Interesting.

Originally Posted by boldruler

Ok, here is the story.

Showing Up is still possible for next weekend, but not likely. SU is done racing on the dirt though, which I did not know. He is likely going to Arlington for his next race, I guess that would be the Secretariat, and then he likely will make a start in the Turf Invitational, not sure where that is, and target the BC Turf or BC Mile.


Only 3 more races this year I guess, but they plan on bringing him back next year. There is likely a race in Europe in his future next year. Interesting.

Turf Invitational is at belmont Ruler. And I think the grass decision is quite wise. Horses stay sounder on the grass and race longer. Sounds like a very good plan to me. Go for the grade one agaisnt his own generation at Arlington, then use the toughest prep for the BC(Turf Inv).

Originally Posted by oracle80

Turf Invitational is at belmont Ruler. And I think the grass decision is quite wise. Horses stay sounder on the grass and race longer. Sounds like a very good plan to me. Go for the grade one agaisnt his own generation at Arlington, then use the toughest prep for the BC(Turf Inv).

You would know better than me if it is a good plan. I am just telling you what I was told in an e-mail. Tagg knows best for the horse, I just had planned on going to the July 15 race so I am a little unhappy. My plans to go to colonial for the handicapping contest and now the race have blown up on me in a matter of days. Not good.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by boldruler

You would know better than me if it is a good plan. I am just telling you what I was told in an e-mail. Tagg knows best for the horse, I just had planned on going to the July 15 race so I am a little unhappy. My plans to go to colonial for the handicapping contest and now the race have blown up on me in a matter of days. Not good.

Not gonna be there on Sat for the contest??

Originally Posted by GPK

Not gonna be there on Sat for the contest??

No contest. Wedding, thankfully not mine. I was out of this wedding months ago until my brother screwed me. I am not even good friends with the guy but my brother works with him.

Originally Posted by boldruler

No contest. Wedding, thankfully not mine. I was out of this wedding months ago until my brother screwed me. I am not even good friends with the guy but my brother works with him.

These people who get married on big race days have a hell of a lot of ******* nerve.

Originally Posted by oracle80

These people who get married on big race days have a hell of a lot of ******* nerve.

I barely know the guy but considering I would never win the contest I really don't care. The July 15 race bothers me though. All of these horses and their need for almost 2 months between races is pretty disturbing to me. Barbaro did the same thing though so they obviously know what they are doing. Showing Up is a nice horse but talent wise he isn't even close to Barbaro. I really wish Barbaro had a chance to run in the VA Derby because he was awesome on the turf.

[blackthroatedwind]

First, on not running on the dirt again, that is hardly surprising as I would guess Tagg is one of those trainers that doesn't like to do a lot of surface switching. He certainly knows a lot better than I.

Now, as far as the comment that Showing Up " will " win millions in his career...well that may be jumping the gun. First of all, there isn't THAT much money in turf racing and to win " millions " ( yes I know he has already won around $800K ) he would have to win a few big races. But also, I'm not exactly sure how his win a couple weeks ago stamped him as a superstar. Don't get me wrong, he ran well, better than I thought he would, but he did get a perfect trip behind a blistering pace where he saved all the ground. It also was hardly a spectacular field. He has a lot of improving do, which he certainly can do considering his young age and inexperience, to catch up to even the decent American older horses out there. But, what happens if a few decent Euros show up for next month's Secretariat? My guess is they would offer a very reasonable challenge to Showing Up. What happens if a big field assembles and he doesn't draw an inside post? One thing he does have going for him is tactical speed, along with obvious talent, so he will at least be in a position to make his own trips.

I have to say, I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to argue with decisions from a guy as good as Barcley Tagg, but I can't say this seems like the best time to be conservative. There is the potential for a major payday and as was said earlier....he ran back in the Derby on TWO weeks rest.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

First, on not running on the dirt again, that is hardly surprising as I would guess Tagg is one of those trainers that doesn't like to do a lot of surface switching. He certainly knows a lot better than I.

Now, as far as the comment that Showing Up " will " win millions in his career...well that may be jumping the gun. First of all, there isn't THAT much money in turf racing and to win " millions " ( yes I know he has already won around $800K ) he would have to win a few big races. But also, I'm not exactly sure how his win a couple weeks ago stamped him as a superstar. Don't get me wrong, he ran well, better than I thought he would, but he did get a perfect trip behind a blistering pace where he saved all the ground. It also was hardly a spectacular field. He has a lot of improving do, which he certainly can do considering his young age and inexperience, to catch up to even the decent American older horses out there. But, what happens if a few decent Euros show up for next month's Secretariat? My guess is they would offer a very reasonable challenge to Showing Up. What happens if a big field assembles and he doesn't draw an inside post? One thing he does have going for him is tactical speed, along with obvious talent, so he will at least be in a position to make his own trips.

I have to say, I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to argue with decisions from a guy as good as Barcley Tagg, but I can't say this seems like the best time to be conservative. There is the potential for a major payday and as was said earlier....he ran back in the Derby on TWO weeks rest.

I agree that with $600,000 available against a suspect field he needs to take a shot. It is graded too, although my friend said the grade 1 in Arlington would do more for his stud career than the VA Derby. He should win millions though simply because he is going to run at age 4 and after 5 starts he is basically half way there. The horse might not do it with grade 1 wins but there is plenty of money on the turf for him to pick up another 1M over you figure 10 more career starts. The crazy thing is that if he won next weekend he would already have $1.5M. I just don't see why he doesn't skip the Secretariat and take the easier money here. It is pretty obvious to me he liked the turf at Colonial. I still say he winds up going to the race next week.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Turf Invitational is at belmont Ruler. And I think the grass decision is quite wise. Horses stay sounder on the grass and race longer. Sounds like a very good plan to me. Go for the grade one agaisnt his own generation at Arlington, then use the toughest prep for the BC(Turf Inv).

On top of the soundness issue from raing on grass over dirt, the 3YO dirt division is BRUTAL right now in my opinion, and I really believe he can make more money and have more success easier by staying on the grass right now - unless a bunch of Euros come over and rain on his parade but that is probably unlikely becaues they have never traveled their 3YOs for the Secretariat....The local prep for the Secretariat last Saturday was AWFUL in my opinion with Kingship holding off the German.....Showing Up obviously has nothing to worry about coming out of that race...

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

On top of the soundness issue from raing on grass over dirt, the 3YO dirt division is BRUTAL right now in my opinion, and I really believe he can make more money and have more success easier by staying on the grass right now - unless a bunch of Euros come over and rain on his parade but that is probably unlikely becaues they have never traveled their 3YOs for the Secretariat....The local prep for the Secretariat last Saturday was AWFUL in my opinion with Kingship holding off the German.....Showing Up obviously has nothing to worry about coming out of that race...

The only 3yr old that could even be competitive with him is Brilliant and I am not even sure about him. You would think Tagg would squeeze as many races against 3yr old horses in as possible, but if they are looking at a big 4yr old year with him then I can see why Tagg is spacing his races. We don't know the horse either and Tagg does. I heard he came out of the last race fine but who knows, maybe the last race took a lot out of him.

Brilliant would give him a struggle going a mile IMO, especially over the CD lawn...not saying hye is better but it would be a good race...Showing Up beats him at longer distances though....

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

Brilliant would give him a struggle going a mile IMO, especially over the CD lawn...not saying hye is better but it would be a good race...Showing Up beats him at longer distances though....

I doubt Showing Up ever runs a race less than 9F ever again.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by boldruler

I doubt Showing Up ever runs a race less than 9F ever again.

OK, if you allow me that he must race in 2007, I can make a SERIOUS bet on the other side of this.

Originally Posted by boldruler

I doubt Showing Up ever runs a race less than 9F ever again.

Well, the fat of the matter is that if they are shooting for the BC they have two options - The Mile or the 1 1/2-mile Turf - and the Mile typically comes up softer from the Euros standpoint....I know Brillaint is being pointed towards the BC Mile because he loves CD lawn, but I do NOT think he is good enough to win a world-class race like that unless nobody else shows up or he REALLY improves beyond what he is now....As for Showing Up, this horse showed immense speed racing around one turn at GP so I don't think a Mile is such a bad option for him....as a matter of fact, I betcha their leaning towarsd the BC Mile right now until he proves he can get 1 1/2-miles and do so effectively...just guessing based on my observations...

I don't really like Showing Up either in that spot because I alwasy prefer seeing what Euros show up first before looking at the American horses - but the fact is that the best Euro milers haven't shown up in the past two years....Showing Up could be this year's wise-guy Mile horse just like Peace Rules and Artie Schiller were two and three years ago - but I don't think he can beat the good Euros if they come...not many Americans can though...they are just better on grass and could win just about every BC grass race every year if they brought their best horses over...

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by boldruler

Ok, here is the story.

Showing Up is still possible for next weekend, but not likely. SU is done racing on the dirt though, which I did not know. He is likely going to Arlington for his next race, I guess that would be the Secretariat, and then he likely will make a start in the Turf Invitational, not sure where that is, and target the BC Turf or BC Mile.


Only 3 more races this year I guess, but they plan on bringing him back next year. There is likely a race in Europe in his future next year. Interesting.

WHERE IS THE MFING LINK FOR THIS INFO!!!!!! SHOW IT TO ME!!!! NOW!!!