11/5 (CD): Breeders' Cup Friday (Post Draw Fields; ML's)

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by wild barry

Does anyone know why the filly and mare sprint is at 7f and the breeders cup sprint is at 6f ?

Just for variety I think. It has always been at 7F.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Just for variety I think. It has always been at 7F.

I thought they did that so that it could dilute two races, the BC Sprint and the BC Distaff, instead of just one.

In a similar vein, when are they going to downgrade the BC Dirt Mile to a Grade 3?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I thought they did that so that it could dilute two races, the BC Sprint and the BC Distaff, instead of just one.

In a similar vein, when are they going to downgrade the BC Dirt Mile to a Grade 3?

The first running of the DM was worthy of a GI since you had two horses in it (Corinthian and Discreet Cat) who had won the only other GI races at a mile in this country. Albertus Maximus bouyed the second running with a win in the Donn and Two Step Salsa came back to win the Godolphin Mile, so it's had a couple of quality runnings.

Last year's field, um, not so much.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

The first running of the DM was worthy of a GI since you had two horses in it (Corinthian and Discreet Cat) who had won the only other GI races at a mile in this country. Albertus Maximus bouyed the second running with a win in the Donn and Two Step Salsa came back to win the Godolphin Mile, so it's had a couple of quality runnings.

Last year's field, um, not so much.

I'll give you Corinthian, who was an in-and-outer--making it arguable that the race sucked. In fact, if he was more consistent, he probably would have been in the Classic. IIRC, wasn't Discreet Cat toast by the time of the BC?

As for Albertus Maximus, he was a listed stakes winner at the time of his victory. Granted he won the Donn a few months after the fact. But he didn't follow it up with anything else after getting injured in Dubai. Two Step Salsa winning the Godolphin Mile? That's that race that Grey Memo and Festival Of Light won, right?

Last year we had Furthest Land. The race is getting worse and worse.

This year's race reads like a good rendition of the Longacres Mile. In other words, a Grade 3.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Is Rightly So really going to be the ML favorite? She's a real nice filly, but I will be shocked if she wins. Unless the track is as biased as it was for her Ballerina win.

I think so. It's a very contentious group but she makes the most sense as who will be bet. That said, I'm against her- there is so much speed in here. My initial impression is this race is melting down.

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Kind of sucks that Nicole H isn't going to get in. . . I don't know if I would've liked her--haven't looked closely enough--but she'd be an interesting wild card.

She is some talent. Yet another case of synthetics masking true ability.

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I thought they did that so that it could dilute two races, the BC Sprint and the BC Distaff, instead of just one.

In a similar vein, when are they going to downgrade the BC Dirt Mile to a Grade 3?

The last time it was actually on dirt, it was possibly the most impressive performance of the entire BC that year. It's pretty hard to knock the quality of the race any of the last 3 years really. There are some talented horses in this year's field as well IMO.

[Princess Doreen]

Prince Will I Am
Winter Memories
Champagne D'Oro
R Heat Lightning
Keertana
Havre de Grace

Don't confuse me with facts - my mind's made up.

Here comes woofie!

[Fulla Sheets]

Is anyone beating Midday?

[hockey2315]

I don't see why Plumania or Red Desire can't. I like what they did w/ Red Desire especially.

[hockey2315]

Mike Welsh's stuff is usually pretty good, but what the F@#$ is this?

Sweet Gypsy (Filly and Mare Turf, four furlongs in 47.40 seconds): The morning’s lone Breeders’ Cup worker came out shortly after the renovation break with jockey Robby Albarado aboard. Showing her usual speed, Sweet Gypsy zipped through an opening quarter and three-eighths in 23 and change and 34 and change, although she did tire some through a final furlong in 12.70 and during an ordinary gallop-out when pulling up five-eighths in 1:02.55. As noted earlier, although the track was listed as fast for the work there was still some moisture in it; Secret Gypsy’s only two off-the-board finishes on dirt came on wet tracks, raising the question as to whether she might have finished stronger today over a little firmer ground.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Mike Welsh's stuff is usually pretty good, but what the F@#$ is this?

Sweet Gypsy (Filly and Mare Turf, four furlongs in 47.40 seconds): The morning’s lone Breeders’ Cup worker came out shortly after the renovation break with jockey Robby Albarado aboard. Showing her usual speed, Sweet Gypsy zipped through an opening quarter and three-eighths in 23 and change and 34 and change, although she did tire some through a final furlong in 12.70 and during an ordinary gallop-out when pulling up five-eighths in 1:02.55. As noted earlier, although the track was listed as fast for the work there was still some moisture in it; Secret Gypsy’s only two off-the-board finishes on dirt came on wet tracks, raising the question as to whether she might have finished stronger today over a little firmer ground.

More idiocy - in Brad Free's little graded handicap thing on DRF for the Friday races, he has the "last race" for all horses coming out of the Darley Alcibiades listed as the Danny Alcibiades. Danny was a good man. . . I'm glad they named a race after him.

[Fulla Sheets]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I don't see why Plumania or Red Desire can't. I like what they did w/ Red Desire especially.

I disagree with Red Desire. I thought in her last she had a perfect trip and couldnt get by Changing Skies. Maybe Im missing something, but I think she is a toss.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by Fulla Sheets

I disagree with Red Desire. I thought in her last she had a perfect trip and couldnt get by Changing Skies. Maybe Im missing something, but I think she is a toss.

There was no way she was going to run well on that soft ground first time in the U.S. She's going to turn in a much better performance in the BC - obviously you can't like her if you think she was at her best at Belmont.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I don't see why Plumania or Red Desire can't. I like what they did w/ Red Desire especially.

I forgot about Miss Keller. She could win too.

[Dahoss]

Obviously Blind Luck and Havre de Grace are the horses to beat in the Distaff. But I think Malibu Prayer has a shot to take them a long way. If she draws well and is ridden aggressively, she might prove tough to catch IMO.

[Fulla Sheets]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I forgot about Miss Keller. She could win too.

I like Keertana a little too, I think she is improving and can out run most of the North Americans.