Bring on Belmont

Originally Posted by eurobounce

If you are a horse racing fan anywhere how can you not be at the track wagering on these races. Man, what a great day. I would love to see an ALL GRADE I wager. I think there is like 6 or 7 Grade I's on that day. Make it like a pick 6 or 7. Man that would be awesome.

Euro,
Belmont is a nice place but a pain in the ass to get to unless you live near there. For people up here, here is what a trip to Belmont means:
1) a 3 1/2 hour ride each way, more or less depending on the traffic.
2) Thruway and bridge tolls in the range of 25-30 bucks.
3) Gasoline money that equals about 50-60 bucks.
4) Because there aren't any hotels within walking distance down there(to say the least) don't count on having any brewskis if you have to drive unless you bring a designated driver.

Basically you are in the hole 75-90 bucks plus 7 hours on the road if you are gonna go there. Its just not feasible or logical to go there when they have the races right on tv in your living room.
WOuld I attend these big days down there if there wasn't any simulcasting and that was my only option to see those races? Of course I would, I'm a huge fan and love the sport.
But why bother when I can sit home and avoid all that? Just doesnt make any sense. I only go down when lansdon has a horse in a race and he is coming to town. I don't get to see him as often as I would like and when hes coming to town I go down.
Funniest thing is that when we leave the track he always beats be home, meaning him to Kentucky and me to Saratoga. He always charters a plane to go there. And last year when First samurai won the Champagne, there was a horrible rainstorm and he called me from his house while i was still an hour below Albany driving away in the rain. Pretty comical.

[Gander]

I hate the trip and spending money I could bet with on tolls and gas, but we are heading down to Belmont for the weekend. I wouldnt go if we werent staying with friends all weekend. One things for sure, I wont be betting a dime between now and then.

[ateamstupid]

Oracle's right. Even for me, Belmont is a pain in the ass to get to. It's in the middle of nowhere.. However, I think they'll get more than 15,000 for JCGC day.. probably about 25 if the weather is nice.

On a related note, shouldn't they just cancel the Jerome? Who the hell is going to run against Discreet Cat? He'll be 1/20 in a four-horse field for sure..

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Oracle's right. Even for me, Belmont is a pain in the ass to get to. It's in the middle of nowhere.. However, I think they'll get more than 15,000 for JCGC day.. probably about 25 if the weather is nice.

On a related note, shouldn't they just cancel the Jerome? Who the hell is going to run against Discreet Cat? He'll be 1/20 in a four-horse field for sure..

Yeah they will dig up 3 other horses because they will be guranteed a profit on the race with purse money, but thats it.
Discreet Cat was scary last time out and I can't see anyone wasting an effort with a good horse agaisnt someone like that. Hes just incredible. Hope he stays sound. Could he perhaps be in the Classic as well this year? Or would they not wanna put Bern, Invasor, and Cat in against each other. Quite frankly, with the melt down that the older horse division has had. I could see those three running 1-2-3 in the Classic. Since I don't like Lava Man in that spot, who the hell else is left? Myabe Sun King if he got the right pace set up?

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Yeah they will dig up 3 other horses because they will be guranteed a profit on the race with purse money, but thats it.
Discreet Cat was scary last time out and I can't see anyone wasting an effort with a good horse agaisnt someone like that. Hes just incredible. Hope he stays sound. Could he perhaps be in the Classic as well this year? Or would they not wanna put Bern, Invasor, and Cat in against each other. Quite frankly, with the melt down that the older horse division has had. I could see those three running 1-2-3 in the Classic. Since I don't like Lava Man in that spot, who the hell else is left? Myabe Sun King if he got the right pace set up?

I doubt they run DC in the Classic off a one-mile prep five weeks earlier.. That's a little much, but hey, if anyone can do it, it's this horse. A total freak. As much as I love Bernardini, this guy would give him some real problems. I'm just glad we're getting to watch two of the best 3-year-olds in a LONG, LONG time at once.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Yeah they will dig up 3 other horses because they will be guranteed a profit on the race with purse money, but thats it.
Discreet Cat was scary last time out and I can't see anyone wasting an effort with a good horse agaisnt someone like that. Hes just incredible. Hope he stays sound. Could he perhaps be in the Classic as well this year? Or would they not wanna put Bern, Invasor, and Cat in against each other. Quite frankly, with the melt down that the older horse division has had. I could see those three running 1-2-3 in the Classic. Since I don't like Lava Man in that spot, who the hell else is left? Myabe Sun King if he got the right pace set up?

Oracle, I dont know what the Sheiks will do. But they are going to be loaded for Breeders Cup day. Bern, Invasor, Discreet Cat, Eletrocutionist, Ashkwal Way, Songster, Balleto, Henn Hughes and whoever else they want to send over plus their babies. I couldnt imagine Invasor, Electrocutionist, Bernardini and Discreet Cat all in the Classic. That would be insance.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Oracle, I dont know what the Sheiks will do. But they are going to be loaded for Breeders Cup day. Bern, Invasor, Discreet Cat, Eletrocutionist, Ashkwal Way, Songster, Balleto, Henn Hughes and whoever else they want to send over plus their babies. I couldnt imagine Invasor, Electrocutionist, Bernardini and Discreet Cat all in the Classic. That would be insance.

Ashkal isnt gonna be a contender in either grass race, hes a cut below. So is balletto. Songster is way off form also. I only see Henny Hughes in the sprint and the Classic horses as their hopes from the US contingent. I don't know enough about what they have overseas to comment intelligently about them.

[JJP]

I'm shocked Leparoux is going back to Turfway instead of Belmont. Maybe its the fear of business drop off after he loses the bug.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Ashkal isnt gonna be a contender in either grass race, hes a cut below. So is balletto. Songster is way off form also. I only see Henny Hughes in the sprint and the Classic horses as their hopes from the US contingent. I don't know enough about what they have overseas to comment intelligently about them.

I disagree about Balletto.. She ran a huge race behind Fleet Indian, who got away with absolute murder on the front end.. Two turns and the long stretch at CD should help her out a lot provided she actually gets some pace in front of her.

Also, who are the great milers Ashkal Way has to fear? I'm seriously wondering, because this year's BCM, usually one of the best races of BC day, appears to be coming up light.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Ashkal isnt gonna be a contender in either grass race, hes a cut below. So is balletto. Songster is way off form also. I only see Henny Hughes in the sprint and the Classic horses as their hopes from the US contingent. I don't know enough about what they have overseas to comment intelligently about them.

I sort of like Balleto. I agree with Songster and Ashkal Way. But I think Balleto is going to show some improvement next time out. She should get a hot pace to chase and that will play into her running style. Ashkal Way is a cut below, and that division is loaded.