Country Star

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

A certain other Frankel filly made one start on the turf early on too and if memory serves that filly was pretty good on the dirt.

She debuted on the dirt and won impressively. Then she ran on the turf, and failed to very mediocre horses, and Frankel realized that, as her debut indicated, she was a dirt horse. But, he found out if she was a dirt horse first.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I understand this philosophy. The only thing in my mind that causes me to wonder whether that is the case here is the general inability of MSW races going long, especially for fillies, to fill in New York. Perhaps Frankel ran her on turf because the distance of the race was more important to him than the surface over which it was conteted. Certainly, Country Star was well-bet first time out on turf, so she probably showed something somewhere in the morning. I'm not saying this is the case, but just offering another possible explanation.

Actually, considering her connections and pedigree, she was pretty tepid on the board at over 6.5-1 that day.

However, the distance possibility is certainly possible. But, they ran more than a few 7F races on the dirt, and it's not as though Frankel is afraid to lose first time out anyway, so he could have run in one of those.

[Riot]

This is one of the steamiest and biggest piles of crap I have ever heard. I mean, honestly, do you think about this garbage before spewing it or are you so desperate in hoping that even one person will buy this " polytrack is a feather bed and dirt is a pit of fire " nonsense that you will say anything?

If you want to be moronic and insulting, have at it. Doesn't bother me when you appear foolish.

Before posting this perhaps you should have looked at how many times Frankel risked her life and health by working her on the dirt ( five times at Saratoga and two times prior to her debut at Belmont ). He was so worried about the evil dirt surface that he worked her at Belmont prior to the Alcibiades, and after her debut, and then returned her to Belmont after Keeneland and worked her on the dirt there some more.

Racing and working are different circumstances, one controlable and one not. He can race this filly anywhere he wants. I think he's planning this filly's career - not season - very carefully.

[blackthroatedwind]

You made the inane point that he avoided to dirt to prevent injury.....and I explained that it simply wasn't true. Your polytrack flagwaving clouds your thinking.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

You made the inane point that he avoided to dirt to prevent injury.....and I explained that it simply wasn't true. Your polytrack flagwaving clouds your thinking.

Yes, I think he deliberately avoided racing this filly on dirt, to help avoid injuries common to fast and talented 2-year-olds that race on dirt. It's a fact that horses running on synthetic surfaces have less bone injuries - hence why I mentioned bucking and chips, two of the biggest career-delays in promising young horses.

You think Country Star hasn't raced on dirt as Frankle may think she may not be as good on that surface. I think there are other reasons he hasn't raced her yet on dirt.

You could ask me what concerns I do have about young horses running on synthetic surfaces.

But then, you might learn something, and have to give up your broad generalized characterizations about both the surfaces, and those that support them.

[blackthroatedwind]

Don't be pissy because your steaming pile of crap was exposed.

Originally Posted by Riot

Yes, I think he deliberately avoided racing this filly on dirt, to help avoid injuries common to fast and talented 2-year-olds that race on dirt. It's a fact that horses running on synthetic surfaces have less bone injuries - hence why I mentioned bucking and chips, two of the biggest career-delays in promising young horses.

You think Country Star hasn't raced on dirt as Frankle may think she may not be as good on that surface. I think there are other reasons he hasn't raced her yet on dirt.

You could ask me what concerns I do have about young horses running on synthetic surfaces.

But then, you might learn something, and have to give up your broad generalized characterizations about both the surfaces, and those that support them.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Don't be pissy because your steaming pile of crap was exposed.

That's all you got? Geesh!

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

LOL - I dunno, I think that's it ...

[TheSpyder]

and so ends another chapter of as Andy's World Turns..stay tune tomorrow for more steaming adventures.

Spyder

[ArlJim78]

Since this appears to be the place where we'll make our predictions on Indian Blessing vs. Country Star, put me down for Country Star. I think she'll prove to be better next year.

I like her runstyle better and have more faith in Frankel than Baffert.

[Cajungator26]

Country Star is the bomb diggity because Dixie Porter says so.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Since this appears to be the place where we'll make our predictions on Indian Blessing vs. Country Star, put me down for Country Star. I think she'll prove to be better next year. I like her runstyle better and have more faith in Frankel than Baffert.

Ditto.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Don't be pissy because your steaming pile of crap was exposed.

You make nice dude!

Besides, my inside source in the Frankel barn says the real reason he hasn't run her on dirt yet is that he intends for her to be the first filly in history to win the Kentucky derby while making her dirt debut.

[my miss storm cat]

From Racing post, yesterday.....


Impressive Country Star ‘next Kentucky Derby winner'

by Racing Post staff

USA There was no mistaking Bobby Frankel's confidence in Country Star following the filly's victory in the Starlet Stakes at Hollywood Park on Saturday. When asked if he was looking forward to the Kentucky Oaks next spring, Frankel replied: “She's going to be the next Kentucky Derby winner.”

Country Star had just demolished another Grade 1 field after coming from off the pace. She had finished second on her debut over turf at Belmont Park, then won the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes on Polytrack at Keeneland.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano said: “Youcan't compare her win in Kentucky with this one. She's so much better now.”

Frankel added: “It looked like he asked her and she took off. She's great to be around, easy to train, and she does everything 100 per cent. This one might be something special. We'll probably point to some races in May. I haven't made any plans yet. She might run in the Santa Anita Oaks , maybe one race before then.”

[alysheba4]

i believe it was rafael not frankel who made that statement.

[cmorioles]

I'll be shocked if she is a star on dirt. She doesn't run like a dirt horse. Now, there is a lot of money to be made winning on synthetic and turf, nothing wrong with that. But the chances she is even equally as good on dirt as she is on those surfaces is minimal at best.

[alysheba4]

ummmm o.k.

[blackthroatedwind]

What's confusing? Please provide the list of horses that have been exceptionally talented on both turf and dirt in the past.

Country Star showed in her debut that she was very talented on grass. In her subsequent starts she has run well ( OK in the Alcibiades and well on Sunday ) on artificial surfaces that are often very kind to turf horses. Now, dirt horses also often handle the cushion, so she may well like dirt too, but history says her excellence is likely to only encompass one real surface.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

I'll be shocked if she is a star on dirt. She doesn't run like a dirt horse. Now, there is a lot of money to be made winning on synthetic and turf, nothing wrong with that. But the chances she is even equally as good on dirt as she is on those surfaces is minimal at best.

This is intriguing, as I'm really clueless when it come picking out these little nuances. Question?

I've looked at CS' races very closely, focusing, in particular, on the way she finishes ---is she straight, does she stay on the correct lead, when under pressure, etc. There's been vast improvement from race to race. So much so, that I wouldn't put much past this filly --though I could be wrong.

Now, since you're able to posit that this horse won't handle the dirt, I wonder what your opinion was/is concering the dirt ability of Mushka and Backseat Rhythm; the latter finishing ahead of CS on the turf; and the former behind her; both getting worse trips than CS. When watching that race, or looking at your figures for that race, were you able to project that BR would run a good 2nd behind Indian Blessing in the Frizette and that Mushka would win the Demoiselle in (perfect trip) visually impressive fashion?
Of course, you might not think much of these two and when opining that CS won't be very good on the dirt, you level exceeds that of these two presently.

Additionally, what were your thoughts about Lear's Princess (poly, turf, dirt)? Did you think she would handle the dirt and, if so, what was the difference in her running style?