139th BELMONT: Prospective Field

[pmayjr]

Did Matz ever give much consideration for pointing Chelokee towards the Belmont? Sorry once again if there was a big news article about Chelokee's status and I missed it.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

Did Matz ever give much consideration for pointing Chelokee towards the Belmont? Sorry once again if there was a big news article about Chelokee's status and I missed it.

While it wouldn't have been the worst placement to go in the Belmont I think Matz just knows the horse isn't quite that fast to compete with the big boys (or girl). If he takes the High Cotton route he can build up a nice resume while running in spots he can win.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

While it wouldn't have been the worst placement to go in the Belmont I think Matz just knows the horse isn't quite that fast to compete with the big boys (or girl). If he takes the High Cotton route he can build up a nice resume while running in spots he can win.

I think Matz is perfectly happy to try to pick off some late-season races that will help breeding value. Remember that Chelokee's owner, Centennial Farms, also owns Vitruvius, a swift allowance winner at Aqueduct who was scratched from the Peter Pan. Matz probably knows that Chelokee COULD be able to develop into a Travers horse with the right progression.

It could be a great summer for Centennial Farms between Chelokee, Vitruvius, and Corinthian.

NT

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I think Matz is perfectly happy to try to pick off some late-season races that will help breeding value. Remember that Chelokee's owner, Centennial Farms, also owns Vitruvius, a swift allowance winner at Aqueduct who was scratched from the Peter Pan. Matz probably knows that Chelokee COULD be able to develop into a Travers horse with the right progression.

It could be a great summer for Centennial Farms between Chelokee, Vitruvius, and Corinthian.

NT

There are talks of running Corinthian five more times if he stays healthy which isn't very common these days with well bred G1 winners. I like Vitruvius a lot as well. Not so high on Chelokee. I think they are doing the right thing by putting him in the easy spots.

[blackthroatedwind]

Does anyone know why Vitruvias was scatched from the Peter Pan?

These things have a way of becoming " we're hoping to have him ready for the Donn."

Chelokee has a mild case of the " slows "....no?

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Does anyone know why Vitruvias was scatched from the Peter Pan?

These things have a way of becoming " we're hoping to have him ready for the Donn."

Chelokee has a mild case of the " slows "....no?

Skin infection for Vitruvius, had to go on antibiotics. Same problem Corinthian had last summer when he came back in the allowance at Saratoga.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Skin infection for Vitruvius, had to go on antibiotics. Same problem Corinthian had last summer when he came back in the allowance at Saratoga.

Doesn't a skin infection mean ringworm?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

There are talks of running Corinthian five more times if he stays healthy which isn't very common these days with well bred G1 winners. I like Vitruvius a lot as well. Not so high on Chelokee. I think they are doing the right thing by putting him in the easy spots.

I think Chelokee being in Matz's care is certainly a good thing because he has never been known as one to hurry horses along or frivolously put them in a spot where they don't belong. He is certainly not as fast as the best of his crop, but down the road that could be a different story. I think he garnered so much attention because of the tough trip allowance win (that was not terribly quick) and what people really mis-construed as a tough trip in the Fla Derby. That trip wasn't easy, but he could have finished with a bit more gusto.

NT