8/30 (SAR): Forego; Woodward (Gr. I's)

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Isn't that exactly what I said? That he figures to sit second early but doesn't have the speed to push Wanderin Boy. I don't think they will put Divine Park near the front. I think the last thing they want to do is duel with Wanderin Boy and hand the race to Curlin.

I don't get why Divine Park, who has more speed than Wanderin Boy, in a race that lacks a lot of speed, would consider throttling back, behind such slow horses as Pass The Point. I can't see Divine Park any further back then second by a length, and wouldn't be shocked to see him set the fractions.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I don't get why Divine Park, who has more speed than Wanderin Boy, in a race that lacks a lot of speed, would consider throttling back, behind such slow horses as Pass The Point. I can't see Divine Park any further back then second by a length, and wouldn't be shocked to see him set the fractions.

I look at things a little differently from what others have said after his Met Mile win, Divine Park is obviously a better horse as a 4 yr old and he gives himself good trips. I wonder why do people knock him for that? He has won races on the lead, from just off the pace, and from off the pace. That's called versatility. I'm sure he's not going to be any great value on Saturday but he will atleast be in the 2/1 range with Curlin as the deserving heavy favorite. I know Curlin's last race was on turf and perhaps that is a reason why he only ran good/okay but I don't know I didn't really like his effort. If Curlin's 3/5 and Divine Park is 2/1 I think that's a great price differential to take Divine Park. On this track tactical speed is a major plus and right now I'm a believer in Divine Park. I don't think Mclaughlin would have bothered entering him if he didn't think he would run big Sat or get the 1 1/8.

On another note the bigger question is why did Frankel barring a late scratch enter Out of Control? Not like him to take on an overwhelming favorite like Curlin. Makes you think.

BTW to answer the topic question, anything is possible Wanderin Boy can lead this field a long way.

[Gander]

[quote=CSC]I look at things a little differently from what others have said after his Met Mile win, Divine Park is obviously a better horse as a 4 yr old and he gives himself good trips. Why knock him for that? He has won races on the lead, from just off the pace, and from off the pace. That's called versatility. I'm sure he's not going to be any great value on Saturday but he will atleast be in the 2/1 range with Curlin as the deserving heavy favorite. I know Curlin's last race was on turf and perhaps that is a reason why he only ran good/okay but I don't know I didn't really like his effort. If Curlin's 3/5 and Divine Park is 2/1 I think that's a great price differential to take Divine Park. On this track tactical speed is a major plus and right now I'm a believer in Divine Park. I don't think Mclaughlin would have bothered entering him if he didn't think he would run big Sat or get the 1 1/8.

On another note the bigger question is why did Frankel barring a late scratch enter Out of Control? Not like him to take on an overwhelming favorite like Curlin. Makes you think.

Because he is training well (on dirt) and he needs to run him somewhere. Hes already here and he could easily take a big piece of this big purse. He was to run in the Sword Dancer but got sick. I dont blame him for taking a shot.

I would be stunned if Wanderin Boy was not on the lead and most likely it will be all by himself. Still doesnt make me want to play him.

[CSC]

[quote=Gander]

Originally Posted by CSC

I look at things a little differently from what others have said after his Met Mile win, Divine Park is obviously a better horse as a 4 yr old and he gives himself good trips. Why knock him for that? He has won races on the lead, from just off the pace, and from off the pace. That's called versatility. I'm sure he's not going to be any great value on Saturday but he will atleast be in the 2/1 range with Curlin as the deserving heavy favorite. I know Curlin's last race was on turf and perhaps that is a reason why he only ran good/okay but I don't know I didn't really like his effort. If Curlin's 3/5 and Divine Park is 2/1 I think that's a great price differential to take Divine Park. On this track tactical speed is a major plus and right now I'm a believer in Divine Park. I don't think Mclaughlin would have bothered entering him if he didn't think he would run big Sat or get the 1 1/8.

On another note the bigger question is why did Frankel barring a late scratch enter Out of Control? Not like him to take on an overwhelming favorite like Curlin. Makes you think.

Because he is training well (on dirt) and he needs to run him somewhere. Hes already here and he could easily take a big piece of this big purse. He was to run in the Sword Dancer but got sick. I dont blame him for taking a shot.

I would be stunned if Wanderin Boy was not on the lead and most likely it will be all by himself. Still doesnt make me want to play him.

Yeah I completely understand your point, most trainers yes, however it's still just not like Frankel to run for a piece of the purse. The guy scratches more horses to avoid losing than just about any other trainer in racing today.

[Gander]

[quote=CSC]

Originally Posted by Gander

Yeah I completely understand your point, most trainers yes, however it's still just not like Frankel to run for a piece of the purse. The guy scratches more horses to avoid losing than just about any other trainer in racing today.

True about Frankel. I bet this may be a prep for the Joe Hirsch on the turf at Belmont on 9/27? Would make sense. Its been a while since he ran, he got sick, so he really would need some sort of prep before he runs in a big turf race.

wanderin boy is the play, IMO..... his last race makes him at least competitive with curlin and if he is on a uncontested lead, he can steal this

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I can't see Divine Park any further back then second by a length, and wouldn't be shocked to see him set the fractions.

I would be.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I would be.

I would be surprised also, one thing to look for is the jock Leparioux is not likely to fire a horse out of the gate unless he gets instructions to do so. If Leparioux decides to sit he may try to rate, however that last bullet work on WB's worktab signals a speed try.

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I don't get why Divine Park, who has more speed than Wanderin Boy, in a race that lacks a lot of speed, would consider throttling back, behind such slow horses as Pass The Point. I can't see Divine Park any further back then second by a length, and wouldn't be shocked to see him set the fractions.

Ahh the first brilliant comment of the day! He will probably be forwardly placed. Someone has to insure an honest pace up front. It will be tricky to not expend too much energy but Garcia knows him well. DP has earned this spot at a shot at the champ.

[blackthroatedwind]

Divine Park is in the tricky position of possibly having to sacrifice whatever minimal chance he has of being competitive here by attacking Wanderin Boy too early.

I haven't finished the work on the race, but it seems logical that the only way to make money in this race is to pitch Divine Park completely.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Divine Park is in the tricky position of possibly having to sacrifice whatever minimal chance he has of being competitive here by attacking Wanderin Boy too early.

I haven't finished the work on the race, but it seems logical that the only way to make money in this race is to pitch Divine Park completely.

I sure this will comfort you. I agree.

I agree with ArlJim too that Divine Park seems to have as much speed, if not more than Wanderin Boy. But I don't think they'd go to the front with him because of how he's won his last two. If he found himself on the lead, ok, but I don't think they'd push to try to be there and would readily concede it to Wanderin Boy. I don't anticipate a pace nearly as fast though as Divine Park has gotten in his last couple though. That, coupled with the fact that he'll probably be up closer early, will make his seemingly brilliant late run seem a little less brilliant. At what point does he go after WB? Will he have enough to hold off Curlin? He's got too many questions to answer for me and I'm going to believe he can't answer them all. If he does, hats off to him. But I'm going against him completely here.

Curlin
Out of Control
Wanderin Boy

Out of Control has two races on the dirt on his record with one win. Both were around two turns and both produced figures in the 90's. Being that they weren't overly horrible and considering that this is Frankel not ducking for an easy spot, you've got to give him a little longer look than normal. I'm taking a shot here with him to run second.

[alysheba4]

the "woodward " should be renamed since the distance AND track has changed........how about the "saratoga classic "

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by alysheba4

the "woodward " should be renamed since the distance AND track has changed........how about the "saratoga classic "

It's been 1 1/8 for quite a while.

The name should not be changed.

[alysheba4]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

It's been 1 1/8 for quite a while.

The name should not be changed.

.....yeah, you are correct it has been run for 9 to 12 furlongs
and now at ALL 3 major new york tracks.......i guess i always think of the bid, slew, affirmed ect going 10f at belmont.

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by alysheba4

the "woodward " should be renamed since the distance AND track has changed........how about the "saratoga classic "

Like let's make it the "Office Max Saratoga Classic". Then everytime it gets mentioned you have to say the whole dam thing like with the Derby. No I think let's leave well enough alone. I hate it when they change names. It reduces the significance, trivializes history and tradition.

[alysheba4]

i stand corrected, i remember when alysheba set a then track record when he
battled forty niner down the stretch at belmont and just figured the race was always 10f

[Handicappy]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Divine Park is in the tricky position of possibly having to sacrifice whatever minimal chance he has of being competitive here by attacking Wanderin Boy too early.

I haven't finished the work on the race, but it seems logical that the only way to make money in this race is to pitch Divine Park completely.

You are right. But I don't see Alan paying that much attention to Wanderin Boy. His concentration will be on Curlin. He'll want to move a bit before Curlin does. But you are right. It is a tough spot. He probably won't get the fractions that may help him. DP is very fit and might be a bit too eager as well. But I don't envision a collapse on his part. He has a very hard and tough disposition. He won't give up without a fight. But I am curious that so many, even here, are looking at Curlin being unbeatable. I really don't think he is and if the race is run like all the others this meet, there is going to be some nasty, banging around that will make Coa proud. I see him being beatable with a Grade 1 horse who is ready to roll.
Then again, I thought NYRA was a sure thing to lose the contract. So what do I know?
I would be interested in something though. If you don't mind sharing, what goes into your "work on the race"?

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Divine Park is in the tricky position of possibly having to sacrifice whatever minimal chance he has of being competitive here by attacking Wanderin Boy too early.

Was there a jockey change to Prado that I'm not aware of?

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by Handicappy

Ahh the first brilliant comment of the day! He will probably be forwardly placed. Someone has to insure an honest pace up front. It will be tricky to not expend too much energy but Garcia knows him well. DP has earned this spot at a shot at the champ.

Maybe Brilliant Mutal will be insuring the race.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Handicappy

Ahh the first brilliant comment of the day! He will probably be forwardly placed. Someone has to insure an honest pace up front. It will be tricky to not expend too much energy but Garcia knows him well. DP has earned this spot at a shot at the champ.

If Divine Park inherits the lead if what is supposed to happen doesn't happen that is if Leparioux takes a hold of Wanderin Boy early on, I believe Divine Park would be awfully tough to catch today. Divine Park has shown his ability to put himself into the right spots in races, Curlin is a great horse but I am not so sure his style is condusive to the Saratoga track. Seems like a good day to take him on, I'm making Divine Park a single on my pick tickets today and spreading the earlier races. The 8th is a spread race for me for sure.