The Value of leading at the 1st call on dirt

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

He's a free-running horse, just like the others listed. Most of those listed are classic winners, too.

So you ought to hope he has something in common with them.



He was less than a length back on a very snug hold (as I said, the jock had the proverbial "feet on the dashboard").




It would be very foolish to try and alter this horse's running style dramatically. If anything, they should be looking to give him some competition as he blew away his rivals in the maiden and Nashua, then curiously kind of meandered down the lane today.

By the way, I highly doubt, in this day and age of light campaigning, that they won't be trying to win every prep race. I would have to think his debut will be in the Fountain Of Youth if recent history is any indication.



You just opened the floor to Redding Collery references. Thanks.

I'll have to look at his maiden win again, but I remember thinking that the jock had a ton of horse.

I don't think they should change his style drastically - no dropping back 5, 6, 7 lengths for him - but if he could run from about 2 or 3 lengths off the pace, I think that would be ideal. I have to watch the replay of today's race; I didn't see him gawking, but both Johnny V and Mott said he was looking around....it wasn't that obvious to me. Having a target may settle him down some more; then again, maturity may do the same.

I can't see Mott bringing this colt back in a major stakes for his seasonal debut, but of course I could be wrong. I'm sure he wants to win every race, but my point was that he considered the Remsen a big race for THAS, where he wasn't going to fool around. He can afford to fool around in a prep race, even if it means he loses.