Early Breeders' Cup Projections...

[King Glorious]

Sprint-Henny Hughes
Distaff-Island Fashion
Mile-Aragorn
Turf-Hurricane Run
F/M Turf-Ouija Board
Classic-Discreet Cat

[Sightseek]

The Pletcher/J.V horses will be over-respected, meanwhile a Pletcher/Gomez horse will go at longer odds and do much better (Octave?). (I swear TAP is using J.V. as a decoy to cash big on his other horses )

Juvenile Fillies - Kauai Calls

Juvenile - Tiz Wonderful

Mile - Aragorn

Distaff - Pine Island

F & M Turf - Alexandrova / Wait A While exacta

Sprint - Henny Hughes

Turf - Cacique (Hasili progeny further take claim upon the BC)

Classic - Bernardini

[Buffymommy]

Juvy Fillies: Dreaming of Anna

Juvy: Not sure of this one yet.

Mile: Gorella

FM Turf: Ouija Board

Sprint: Commentator

Distaff: Pine Island

Turf: Hmmm.... Not sure on this one either.

Classic: Drifty!!!!!!


JMO though.

[SniperSB23]

Isn't the FM Turf at 11 furlongs this year since Churchill can't run 10 on the turf? Why would they even consider running Gorella at 11 furlongs against Ouijia Board and Alexandrova? I could understand taking a shot at 10 but 11 would be insane. I'd love it if she went in the FM Turf cause apparently people would waste their money betting on her but I don't think there is a decision to make, she will go in the Mile.

[Buffymommy]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Isn't the FM Turf at 11 furlongs this year since Churchill can't run 10 on the turf? Why would they even consider running Gorella at 11 furlongs against Ouijia Board and Alexandrova? I could understand taking a shot at 10 but 11 would be insane. I'd love it if she went in the FM Turf cause apparently people would waste their money betting on her but I don't think there is a decision to make, she will go in the Mile.

She would win either race she entered, but probably going to go in the mile. She should have won it last year, but a "not so great" ride cost her. But that is horse racing.

[Cajungator26]

Juvenile Fillies:
Dreaming of Anna

Juvenile:
Unbridled Express

Mile:
Aragorn

Distaff:
Happy Ticket

F & M Turf:
Alexandrova

Sprint:
Friendly Island

Turf:
English Channel

Classic:
Perfect Drift

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Isn't the FM Turf at 11 furlongs this year since Churchill can't run 10 on the turf? Why would they even consider running Gorella at 11 furlongs against Ouijia Board and Alexandrova? I could understand taking a shot at 10 but 11 would be insane. I'd love it if she went in the FM Turf cause apparently people would waste their money betting on her but I don't think there is a decision to make, she will go in the Mile.

Yep...its 11 panels, which I don't see as a concern...she is one of those throw-back turf horses who will trot around there and give you that wicked final 3/8 of a mile bursting turn of foot no matter if she is going a mile or 11 panels...I really believe after watching her Beverly D. that the extra ground won't hurt her...you're acting like there will be a HUGE difference between 10 and 11 furlongs and I just don't agree....

I'd rather take on my own generation than have to face the best boys Milers in the world...remember, last year was a WEAK year in the Mile with an American winning it...I even bet Artie - that is how weak it was because I never bet Americans in that race......it appears that Gorella will have to match strides with the likes of George Washington, Proclamation and Librettist this year and SHE WILL NOT like doing that if they choose to run her in the Mile.....IMO

[blackthroatedwind]

I'll trust Patrick's judgement. I think the added distance is a HUGE concern and to just assume that she will have that explosive kick regardless of the distance is a mistake.

The mile could be tougher, though I don't think the European contingency is considered all that tough this year ( let's see if George Washington can rebound to his pre-injury form ), but racing at the proper distance is FAR mre important than worrying about the possibly minor difference in field quality. Anyway, Ouiji Board could well be tougher than any Euro in the mile, and the same owner as Gorella has Lady of Venice.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I'll trust Patrick's judgement. I think the added distance is a HUGE concern and to just assume that she will have that explosive kick regardless of the distance is a mistake.

The mile could be tougher, though I don't think the European contingency is considered all that tough this year ( let's see if George Washington can rebound to his pre-injury form ), but racing at the proper distance is FAR mre important than worrying about the possibly minor difference in field quality. Anyway, Ouiji Board could well be tougher than any Euro in the mile, and the same owner as Gorella has Lady of Venice.

have read in the past that it's hoped gorella could go in the mile, IF they felt lady of venice would have a good chance in the f+m...so one would have to think that if lady can't run, or they don't like their chances, that gorella would go in there instead of the mile.

also, people, please remember that this is the day the very best come together. no horse is guaranteed a win...cough cough rock of gibraltar....

i like gorella, love to watch her run, come in from way back and sweep by the field BUT i laugh every time i see her, or pretty much any horse, being 'given' an easy win by the fans. her style in particular is one that can see defeat, and with larger fields oftentimes does. don't get me wrong, i'll enjoy her winning as much as anyone, even more so if she does it against the boys--but please keep the hype down just a tad.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Cunningham Racing

Yep...its 11 panels, which I don't see as a concern...she is one of those throw-back turf horses who will trot around there and give you that wicked final 3/8 of a mile bursting turn of foot no matter if she is going a mile or 11 panels...I really believe after watching her Beverly D. that the extra ground won't hurt her...you're acting like there will be a HUGE difference between 10 and 11 furlongs and I just don't agree....

I'd rather take on my own generation than have to face the best boys Milers in the world...remember, last year was a WEAK year in the Mile with an American winning it...I even bet Artie - that is how weak it was because I never bet Americans in that race......it appears that Gorella will have to match strides with the likes of George Washington, Proclamation and Librettist this year and SHE WILL NOT like doing that if they choose to run her in the Mile.....IMO

If I thought she was fine at ten furlongs then the extra furlong wouldn't be a big deal. However, I think she is best at a mile, still very good at nine furlongs, and ten would be the limit for her. In that case the difference between ten and eleven furlongs does become huge.

I'll say this then...is they elect to run her in the Mile instead of the F&M Turf then she won't win a BC event...she won't beat all 3 Euros I mentioned earlier...

I really am a big fan of hers...I think she is a cool horse and she deserves a BC win...I just feel she'll have a better chance against her own kind...hell, Ouija Board couldn't even beat Intercontinental last year and she is a year older now and Alexandrova is a 3YO....easier competition than the 3 top male Euro Milers I would say.....