Instagrand ~~ Sidelined.. (Make that 'retained')

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Sounds like he's striking out against the status quo and conventional wisdom, which--if you read this message board during the Triple Crown--is often cited as the cause of most of the ills of horse racing. So in that respect Larry Best doesn't look like the typical deluded owner who wants to pull the strings.

Had he been "saving" Instagrand for the Triple Crown it would have been a different story. Not convinced that horse is destined to be a route horse. But the point is moot, because Best doesn't seem too impressed with the classics, either.

Seems like he's focused on getting the horse to a 4yo campaign which--again if you read these message boards--ought to be a breath of fresh air.

Perhaps the latter career exploits of Gun Runner and Accelerate are starting to raise a few eyebrows among the top owner crowd.

As Steve said, reasonably stressing a horse at 2 helps put them in a place physically to be sound for that goal of running at 4. It's scientifically proven. Best's bit about the TC is screwy-- https://twitter.com/BH_JBalan/status...10972471001088 I think an owner who has no desire to complete the TC just because they win the Derby shouldn't be entering their horse in the race. There's a social contract with the fans, the media, the tracks down the line. It's one thing if they're not physically right, another if you intentionally scuttle a TC bid. There's also a certain question about entering Derby points races if you're unwilling to run in the Derby and/TC. I mean you're screwing with someone else's chance of making the field potentially.

If he wants to be conservative with his campaigning, fine. Keep'em to one turn, keep em a certain distance, wait to stretch em out. Nobody'd bat an eye. Other owners and trainers are known for being conservative about that stuff. This smacks of him trying to do something nutty. Hollendorfer must have the patience of a saint to deal with the crap thrown at him by Best and Porter.

[-BT-]

So he's operating his horse like he did his previous businesses ... hmmm

"For a lot of horsemen, they think it's not a matter of if, it's when (a horse has an injury or setback). It could happen in training, so you run," said Best, who is known for his work with Boston Scientific and OXO Capital. "I just have a formula that works for me with all of my businesses. I built my businesses on gut instinct, and the horses I buy, I look forward to racing them at 3 and 4.

"People have come to me for breeding rights, and I've said no. It's not about the money. I want to give them a 3-year-old and 4-year-old career. I'm not driven by money. I want to compete. I did the same with companies. I ignored Wall Street, that only thinks about next quarter. At Boston Scientific, I thought five and 10 years out and not five months out like Wall Street wants.

"Long term, you’re going to win if you treat people right, and in this case, horses right. If you’re going for short-term gain, you better have a freak or you better be lucky. I believe—following this strategy over, say, 10 years—I'll be more successful than the average guy. I think you have to have a philosophy and be disciplined. That's what I'm going to do. Will it work out? We'll find out."

-bt-

[Konk]

Two starts and he needs to be freshened?
Bodes well for his future.