12/27 (SA): San Gabriel (G2), CA Champion (R)

stonegossard · #1 12-27-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Rosario is a terrific rider and most likely took a shot with a change of tactics on an overmatched horse. He had no realistic shot regardless.

It's entirely possible he actually, in theory, outrode the other riders. He just fired an empty gun.

No realisitic shot? Horse was 2-2 at the distance. Speed figs were right up there with every other horse. Horse had a rough trip at 4-1 vs similar last out at Hollywood (which was hilariously missed by the comment/chart caller at DRF...shocking). Horse had one of his best (if not best) races on a yielding turf.

The favorite (The Usual QT) had never run on anything but a firm turf and was a bit of a mystery running on yielding/soft course (which the trainer did say earlier in the day as well), and was coming off two very tough races.

Proudinsky is like 20 yrs old.

The horse who won is a nice horse, but was really not much better on paper.

Otherwise you are right...VS had no shot.

blackthroatedwind · #2 12-27-2010, 09:59 PM

He was beating the likes of War Hoot with perfect trips. He was never much horse and was out of his league in this race.

stonegossard · #3 12-27-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

He was beating the likes of War Hoot with perfect trips. He was never much horse and was out of his league in this race.

Out of his league? I disagree. The Usual QT was out of his league, but was a big question mark on the soft turf. I don't think any of the other horses in the race were out of his league.

NTamm1215 · #4 12-27-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Out of his league? I disagree. The Usual QT was out of his league, but was a big question mark on the soft turf. I don't think any of the other horses in the race were out of his league.

Hindsight's 20/20 but he had ground to make up on Proudinsky and Meteore and Jeranimo was coming off a win in his turf debut where he ran down a GI winner from last year who was also GI placed this year.

I understand your point that he was possibly not given a great chance to win with the tactics employed but I still think that was a decision that Rosario didn't make on his own.

stonegossard · #5 12-27-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Hindsight's 20/20 but he had ground to make up on Proudinsky and Meteore and Jeranimo was coming off a win in his turf debut where he ran down a GI winner from last year who was also GI placed this year.

I understand your point that he was possibly not given a great chance to win with the tactics employed but I still think that was a decision that Rosario didn't make on his own.

VS's last race was a bit of a toss. Fragoso stayed on the inside and had absolutely nowhere to run...steadied a bit as well. The comment in the DRF "saved ground....no rally" was absurd. Then again...the guys who write the comments can rarely be trusted.

I just think taking a horse out of his running style is always a huge mistake. If it was Biancone's decision then my apologies to Rosario. Then Biancone is the moron.

Just curious...why don't you think it was Rosario's decision?

NTamm1215 · #6 12-27-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonegossard

VS's last race was a bit of a toss. Fragoso stayed on the inside and had absolutely nowhere to run...steadied a bit as well. The comment in the DRF "saved ground....no rally" was absurd. Then again...the guys who write the comments can rarely be trusted.

I just think taking a horse out of his running style is always a huge mistake. If it was Biancone's decision then my apologies to Rosario. Then Biancone is the moron.

Just curious...why don't you think it was Rosario's decision?

I could certainly be wrong but I just get the feeling that was something that was discussed just because it was such a departure from his normal running style. He had never shown "speed" at all and to see him on the lead was surprising to me. We'll probably never know but Violon Sacre will be best served by going back to the east coast and running in 60k or so listed stakes.

stonegossard · #7 12-27-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I could certainly be wrong but I just get the feeling that was something that was discussed just because it was such a departure from his normal running style. He had never shown "speed" at all and to see him on the lead was surprising to me. We'll probably never know but Violon Sacre will be best served by going back to the east coast and running in 60k or so listed stakes.

I don't know.....he has now had excuses in both his races out west. I'd give him one more shot. If he runs a clunker with a decent trip then sure..ship him back to NJ for the spring/summer.