Z Humor in the Fountain of Youth
 

We didn't already know this, did we?

I'm a tad surprised.

Thought he was Rebel bound.


Good. Let the Denis of Dork wave keep rising to tsunami status.

Mott is going the Dutrow route with this one I guess.

I'm sure Zayat is making him run. Mott would never do something this foolish. I won't be surprised when he scratches.

Though, maybe Mott's good friend BBB can get the real scoop.

It is especially baffling since the horse already has the earnings to get in the Derby field. If they wanted to do something stupid with him they could just take the Turf War route and send him to the Borderland Derby where no real Derby contenders will be and go straight to the Derby from there.

It feels like Mr. Zayat wants to be represented in all big races. That will work well for him over time.

A week apart??

Remember James McIngvale (Mattress Mac) who used to have horses with Baffert (and a lot of other trainers)? He used to want to call the shots--I think he once ran During in a sprint because he saw him win it "in a dream." Usually it just isn't smart for owners to get too proactive.

He'll be fine.

8 days rest is plenty.

He may be OK to run physically, but on paper this is easily the deepest and toughest field for a derby prep so far. Not sure why he would be so adament in running against this 12-horse field.

Also note that Anxious Ahmed is shoving Halo Jajib into this as well after Romans made it clear he was looking to the Lne's End after the OBS win 13 days ago...

Actually like that one a bit, but I think he might be in over his head here. This is a pretty nice field.

These are type of guys that are used to having anything and everything they want, at the snap of their fingers. Then when they get in a game that requires the patience of Job they lose their minds.

You would never see Bob Lewis making these kind of stupid decisions.
You hire the best trainers and get out of thier way.

They'd have a stroke if they kept up with Australian racing.

Z Humor is strategic move. In the money finish keeps another horse from gaining graded earnings. He may not win but could easily run in top 4 spots. Also, running back on less rest is very old school. I agree with earlier post here -- let's see if he actually gets in starting gate.

no shot ..........

There is no way Billy will do it.....no way!!!

I agree with this for horses coming of good efforts. Normally, the sooner they run back, the better. I don't see it off of that performance.

well,he only ran a half mile in that last race so at least he shouldn't be tired :confused:

The colt was completely spent BEFORE he ever ran a step in the race.

You are right. They should run War Pass in every race along the way so he can prevent other horses from getting graded earnings and then only the top 20 in graded earnings will get in instead of the top 20 in graded earnings.

Yeah his post was a bit far fetched..perhaps saphire driven

Maybe Zayat should get into harness racing. Then he could run all of his horses every week or two. He is probably not too big to even drive them himself...

It seemed a little topaz driven to me.

What a gem of a post!

I laughed.

Strategic Move -- please read conditions
 

8 EIGHTH RACE STAKES
The 62nd Running of The Fountain of Youth Stakes
$350,000 Guaranteed Grade II
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. By subscription of $350 each by Sunday February 10,2008 which shall accompany the nomination, $3,500 to pass the entry box and $3,500 additional to start, with $350,000 Guaranteed. The owner of the winner to receive $210,000, $70,000 to second, $35,000 to third, $15,000 to fourth,$10,500 to fifth and $7,000 to sixth. Supplemental nominations may be made on Thursday, February 21, 2008, at a fee of $9,000, which includes entry and starting fees. Weight: 122 lbs. Non-winners of $75,000 twice at a mile or over, allowed, 2 lbs.; $75,000 once at any distance or $50,000 at a mile or over, 4 lbs.; $40,000 at any distance or $24,000 twice at a mile or over, 6 lbs. Starters to named through the entry box on Thursday February 21,2008 by the usual time of closing. Horses finishing first, second or third in the Fountain of Youth Stakes will automatically be nominated to the Florida Derby. Trophy to winning Owner. This race will be limited to 14 Starters, with Also Eligible. (High Weights Preferred). (Total lifetime earnings will be used according to equibase to determine the order of preference of horses with equal weight). All fees shall be paid prior to the start of the race.
Nominations Close Sunday, February 10, 2008
ONE MILE AND ONE EIGHTH

1. Finish first, second, or third receive nomination to Florida Derby -- this could block another horse or horses from entry in Florida Derby and potential graded earnings if horse with top 20 earnings finish in top 3 positions.
2. Race limited to 14 starters with preference to Total lifetime earnings -- again, block horse (or horses) from gaining graded earnings. If you are not in the race, you can't earn!
3. Cause trainer (or trainers) to move horse (or horses) to other venues where they are not familiar and may not succeed.

These are plausible actions by big money owners and trainers to ensure that their horses -- a) do make Kentucky Derby starting gate and b) that late bloomers can't accumulate sufficient earnings to supplant lesser horses. Yes, top 20 graded earners are ELIGIBLE to start. Who final 20 are is what is being sorted out as first Saturday in May approaches.

If anyone wants to get in the Florida Derby they will pay the nomination fee to get in even if they don't qualify because they <giggle> lost to Z Humor in the Fountain of Youth.

Sure is a good thing that Z Humor was the 12th horse in a race restricted to 14 starters. Good thing he was able to block all those other horses that wanted to get in.

Who is moving a horse somewhere else because of the inclusion of Z Humor in the field? No one even knew he was going to be in the field to move somewhere else until entries came out.

Z Humor could rest from now until the Derby and have a spot in the starting gate if they want to run him there.

The late bloomers will have to prove themselves in the final preps where everyone will be trying to "block" them if they want to get in. Late bloomers aren't a worry in February.



Note to self - find something better to do next Friday night than respond to posts like this.

You are right, atrocious is probably a better word.

He was fighting hard on the pace the entire way and led as the field turned for home. How can this possibly be construed as " never lifting a hoof? "

As for the second highlighted part.....if you don't think the owner of Z Humor forced Mott to enter the horse then I have a number of bridges I would like to sell you.

Why not? Because bringing back a horse that tires badly on the lead in one week unplanned is just begging for an injury not to mention another poor performance. The horse has the earnings to get in the Derby if that is the goal. There are countless other spots they could send him besides the Tampa Bay Derby. There is absolutely no way that Mott wants to run him here.

didn't mott just get some former baffert horses from zayat?
trainers don't become top trainers by telling owners with huge pocketbooks to 'f off'. i doubt that mott is concerned that running back in a week will be a health issue for the horse.
now as to whether it'll be an embarrassment issue is another story. it's no skin off motts nose if z humor runs a clunker-and it wasn't HIS idea to run, but the owners.

I think you are missing the point that he has enough earnings to get into the derby. He does not have to ship to run in a prep race, he can run in any allowance race on the grounds to stay fit.

Exactly, by all accounts, he was a total total mess before. Washed out, dripping wet, as he was even comming over to the paddock and only got worse in the paddock. I am willing to forgive him for that race. That being said, I dont know if he is a good enough horse anyway. I really liked him in the Juvy and he dissapointed me.