Rags To Riches to Belmont?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

There's no doubt in my mind that he's "desperate" to win a TC race. What else would you call the entry of Circular Quay in the Preakness? This was a light-bodied horse that didn't run in the Wood because four weeks to the Derby would be "too close." So how do you then explain running him back in two weeks in the Preakness.

I don't think there's any question that Pletcher will do whatever he can to get that first Triple Crown win and quell the whispers about why his stable has performed so poorly on the days when the TRPB "Big Race" teams are in place.

That all being said, I think this is a very special filly. In the absence of Street Sense and Curlin, she'd probably be one of the race favorites.

then there are a lot of desperate trainers out there, flailing about trying to find a horse with a shot.
yeah, i'm sure pletcher wants one bad--but there's no guarantee that after winning one, he won't get grief the next time he runs a horse, and he runs up the track.
and i'd imagine CQ got entered because he thought the horse was doing well enough to run. i'm not about to second guess him, he didn't get where he's at by being dumb.

[whodey17]

I would like to see the big three skip the Belmont as well. There really is no need for them to run in the Belmont. I would like to see them freshened and then face each other in the Travers and then maybe for a good fall campaign.

[jpops757]

If you look at Pletchers last mounth or 6weeks, Rags has been about the only bright spot . Very limited wins in graded stakes. With his numbers of so caled quality runners in the various division not a lot of wins.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by jpops757

If you look at Pletchers last mounth or 6weeks, Rags has been about the only bright spot . Very limited wins in graded stakes. With his numbers of so caled quality runners in the various division not a lot of wins.

in the last few weeks, pletcher moved to first place in the trainers standings...he had been behind o'neill.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by whodey17

I would like to see the big three skip the Belmont as well. There really is no need for them to run in the Belmont. I would like to see them freshened and then face each other in the Travers and then maybe for a good fall campaign.

Yes, me too. I really hate seeing a deep field of quality horses compete for a million dollars. I mean, it is so common in today's racing and all.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by whodey17

I would like to see the big three skip the Belmont as well. There really is no need for them to run in the Belmont. I would like to see them freshened and then face each other in the Travers and then maybe for a good fall campaign.

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each other right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by miraja2

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each othe right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

Consider the source, eh?

[herkhorse]

Originally Posted by miraja2

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each othe right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

I would have to agree, Lets line em all up, throw in the filly and anyone else that wants to run, and we could have the most exciting Belmont in years. Even without a TC possibility.

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by miraja2

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each othe right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

I think his intent was that if we see the same BIG 3 in the Belmont,
then I fear a 6 horse field, completed with 2 maidens and a plodder.
That's exaggerating a bit, but you know what I mean. I think it will be a more exciting race if we have a larger, more diverse group.

Obviously if Street Sense wins the Preakness, then my opinion is greatly changed, but the prospect of these 2 (or 3) facing off again in 3 weeks doesn't really do much for me as a fan.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by lemoncrush

I think his intent was that if we see the same BIG 3 in the Belmont,
then I fear a 6 horse field, completed with 2 maidens and a plodder.
That's exaggerating a bit, but you know what I mean. I think it will be a more exciting race if we have a larger, more diverse group.

Obviously if Street Sense wins the Preakness, then my opinion is greatly changed, but the prospect of these 2 (or 3) facing off again in 3 weeks doesn't really do much for me as a fan.

Just so I understand you correctly, you hope that some of the big colts skip the race, because if they don't colts like Zanjero and Imawildandcrazyguy might be scared away? I think I would rather watch "the big three" than those two.
I guess I like to see the best horses compete in the best races.
I guess I am just too old-fashioned in that regard.

[slotdirt]

I would rather see Hard Spun, Curlin, and Street Sense in a three horse Belmont than not see those three and have some nag win the race.

[horseofcourse]

It is hard to fathom how Hard Spun, Street Sense, and Curlin lining up again in two weeks and going at it would be bad for racing. Rags to Riches should run in the race as well.

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by miraja2

Just so I understand you correctly, you hope that some of the big colts skip the race, because if they don't colts like Zanjero and Imawildandcrazyguy might be scared away? I think I would rather watch "the big three" than those two.
I guess I like to see the best horses compete in the best races.
I guess I am just too old-fashioned in that regard.

No, not suggesting that. Just that I would like to see Rags to Riches, Nobiz, Great Hunter and Tiago all take a shot at this. As long as their is no triple crown on the line, I'm not sure how excited I am to see the big 3 again in a small field, but it is partially based from a betting standpoint.

Just because Great Hunter and Tiago didn't perform well in the Derby, doesn't mean they're nags or have no shot in the Belmont. I think both will be serious factors if they go, as would Rags to Riches. If all HS, SS and Curlin all go, I think some of these horses point elsewhere.