2/16 (OP): Southwest S. (Gr. III)

[pick4]

Here are the charts for the races at Oaklawn on Monday 2/16.

http://www.drf.com/drfChartIndexPick...&DATE=20090216

[ateamstupid]

Aside from the mysterious sixth race that completely fell apart, no horse came from further than 2 1/4 lengths back to win all day. Three horses went wire-to-wire, and another three were never further than a length behind.

[blackthroatedwind]

If you like Old Fashioned you better hope he's a lot better than he was today.

He probably is......but the real question is how much better.

[pick4]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

If you like Old Fashioned you better hope he's a lot better than he was today.

He probably is......but the real question is how much better.

If this was his final prep it would be cause for concern. However considering it was his first race in three months and he had to press a fast horse and he put that horse away and won I think it was a good effort.

It's early on the trail and we still have Hello Broadway going two turns at Tampa in the TB Derby. The FOY might have a runner or two that are serious racehorses with a legiit Derby chance.

Why did you dislike Old Fashioned race? He probably progesses off this race.This was the first time he was near a fast early pace and he beat the winner playing Silver City's game.

[blackthroatedwind]

What's to like? He was on a pace that was mildly fast, where his distance challenged co-dueler finished second, and only a horse that broke four lengths behind the field made up any ground.

He should improve, but today's race was singularly unimpressive, especially given the hype he has received. He might be a good horse. We'll see.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Aside from the mysterious sixth race that completely fell apart, no horse came from further than 2 1/4 lengths back to win all day. Three horses went wire-to-wire, and another three were never further than a length behind.

flat out was closing late-what do you feel about his run based on how the track had been playing?
also, how possible is it to tinker with a track to benefit a horses running style-in this case, old fashioned?
it would certainly help oaklawns cause to have him win, and win big, wouldn't it?
and i'm not accusing anyone of anything untoward, i'm asking if it's possible?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

The track might have been speed favoring... but considering the hot pace ... you can't move up Flat Out that much...even with his start.

I think you might find a possible live horse or two to bet next out if you go through the races there yesterday with a slow early -fast late race shape and look for a closer who either had some trouble or was hung wide. Looking for a such horse in a race that was run fast early - slow late wouldn't be as bright of an idea.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

The track might have been speed favoring... but considering the hot pace ... you can't move up Flat Out that much...even with his start.

I think you might find a possible live horse or two to bet next out if you go through the races there yesterday with a slow early -fast late race shape and look for a closer who either had some trouble or was hung wide. Looking for a such horse in a race that was run fast early - slow late wouldn't be as bright of an idea.

thanks!

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Danzig

flat out was closing late-what do you feel about his run based on how the track had been playing?
also, how possible is it to tinker with a track to benefit a horses running style-in this case, old fashioned?
it would certainly help oaklawns cause to have him win, and win big, wouldn't it?
and i'm not accusing anyone of anything untoward, i'm asking if it's possible?

I wonder about stuff like that sometimes too. I'm no track superintendent, but I'd think it's possible.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I wonder about stuff like that sometimes too. I'm no track superintendent, but I'd think it's possible.

It's very possible. If you go back to a weekend in late June of last year(like around June 30th) you'll see the track at HWD had a closer bias on a Friday Night. The next afternoon it had about the biggest speed bias you'll ever see at HWD. As for the effort by O.F., I liked it a lot. Seemed like they went a lil too fast, and he didn't consider giving it up. His stride did something a lil weird at the end of the Remson. To get 10f, he might need the surface to be pretty lively on Derby day(usually is though.) I like the Western stand outs (POTN, and Stardom Bound,) but the change in surface(to Churchill dirt) seems to be a huge one. I think the 10f is a big question for S.B., too. OLD F prooved he could run close to a fairly fast early pace, put away the other speed, and keep going. On Derby day, if horses run close like that to a pretty good pace, then most of them are gunna give it up(mid-race.) For me, he ruled that out yesterday. This is the horse that's gunna lead into the stretch in the Derby. After that, we'll see.