The Whitney

[miraja2]

Few things can be as misleading in determining the quality of a horse's performance as a NTR.
Remember when SOME people got really excited by some overrated horse breaking a track record at CD a few weeks ago? Well, he just finished eighth in the Whitney.
Still though, it was a strong performance by Lawyer Ron. I don't like him going much further than today's 9f distance, but from 8f-9f he is a very good animal.

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Lawyer Ron winning is not a big surprise, he was arguably the most accomplished horse in the race.

What I can't figure though is the time. Where in the hell did that come from?
Was the track playing that fast today?

I'm suspicious because if Lawyer Ron blew away the track record today, I believe it means basically that Wanderin Boy approximately equaled the track record finishing less than 5 lengths back. That just doesn't seem possible to me.

Maybe the speed figure experts on here can shed more light on it.

There's an article on DRF where they are seriously questioning the time of the Whitney which would give him a raw Beyer of 138 and with a variant applied a 128 and Wanderin Boy a 120 and Diamond Stripes a 117. They're pretty certain an error was made timing.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

There's an article on DRF where they are seriously questioning the time of the Whitney which would give him a raw Beyer of 138 and with a variant applied a 128 and Wanderin Boy a 120 and Diamond Stripes a 117. They're pretty certain an error was made timing.

haha, thanks. I was waiting to hear what the beyer was going to be.
Lawyer Ron ran a fine race to be sure, but that time is really questionable in my view.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

with a variant applied a 128 and Wanderin Boy a 120 and Diamond Stripes a 117. They're pretty certain an error was made timing.

You don't often hear of a horse taking a 19 point jump from his lifetime best BSF in his 23rd career start.
A 120 would also be a seven point personal best for Wanderin Boy, and a 117 an eleven point personal best for Diamond Stripes.
Needless to say, that would be MORE than a little unususal.

[DJK]

I was there yesterday and didn't bet the Whitney, as I couldn't get a good feel for it. Someone I know was literally sitting there flipping a coin and finally shrugged. Didn't make it a bit less enjoyable to watch and I certainly was impressed by the performance of Lawyer Ron. (Although I didn't count off the time as the race was running: one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi...)

[philcski]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

That's around the ballpark I was thinking, too. He's facing a crew of big ones in here, but with how wide open this division is and how these races have been unfolding, I don't see it as too crazy to see him crashing the exotics.

Maybe it is crazy...who knows!

Originally Posted by philcski

I don't think it's crazy. I'd much rather bet a hard trying grinder in this type of field than a Fairbanks all-or-nothing type. Can he win? doubtful... but 3rd, 4th is well within his ability.

Beaten a length for 4th (by Fairbanks, of course )and three for 3rd. Not bad. Got bet a little more than I expected, 18-1.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

my only two comments on the day was.."brass hat will have a sign on his ass that says pass on the right'..AND WANDERING BOY RUNS BIG..

[letswastemoney]

One must wonder what were those horses eating that morning Must be some horse version of Wheaties.

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

There's an article on DRF where they are seriously questioning the time of the Whitney which would give him a raw Beyer of 138 and with a variant applied a 128 and Wanderin Boy a 120 and Diamond Stripes a 117. They're pretty certain an error was made timing.

They announced today that the timing WAS CORRECT. On the NYRA site today!

The time will stand as a record. The timing was done electronically, hand timed by NYRA person as well as others today went back and timed the race. ALL got the same exact time.

http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/stories...07302007.shtml