Country Star

[blackthroatedwind]

Don't be pissy because your steaming pile of crap was exposed.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Don't be pissy because your steaming pile of crap was exposed.

That's all you got? Geesh!

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Don't be pissy because your steaming pile of crap was exposed.

You make nice dude!

Besides, my inside source in the Frankel barn says the real reason he hasn't run her on dirt yet is that he intends for her to be the first filly in history to win the Kentucky derby while making her dirt debut.

[my miss storm cat]

From Racing post, yesterday.....


Impressive Country Star ‘next Kentucky Derby winner'

by Racing Post staff

USA There was no mistaking Bobby Frankel's confidence in Country Star following the filly's victory in the Starlet Stakes at Hollywood Park on Saturday. When asked if he was looking forward to the Kentucky Oaks next spring, Frankel replied: “She's going to be the next Kentucky Derby winner.”

Country Star had just demolished another Grade 1 field after coming from off the pace. She had finished second on her debut over turf at Belmont Park, then won the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes on Polytrack at Keeneland.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano said: “Youcan't compare her win in Kentucky with this one. She's so much better now.”

Frankel added: “It looked like he asked her and she took off. She's great to be around, easy to train, and she does everything 100 per cent. This one might be something special. We'll probably point to some races in May. I haven't made any plans yet. She might run in the Santa Anita Oaks , maybe one race before then.”

[alysheba4]

i believe it was rafael not frankel who made that statement.

[cmorioles]

I'll be shocked if she is a star on dirt. She doesn't run like a dirt horse. Now, there is a lot of money to be made winning on synthetic and turf, nothing wrong with that. But the chances she is even equally as good on dirt as she is on those surfaces is minimal at best.

[alysheba4]

ummmm o.k.

[blackthroatedwind]

What's confusing? Please provide the list of horses that have been exceptionally talented on both turf and dirt in the past.

Country Star showed in her debut that she was very talented on grass. In her subsequent starts she has run well ( OK in the Alcibiades and well on Sunday ) on artificial surfaces that are often very kind to turf horses. Now, dirt horses also often handle the cushion, so she may well like dirt too, but history says her excellence is likely to only encompass one real surface.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

I'll be shocked if she is a star on dirt. She doesn't run like a dirt horse. Now, there is a lot of money to be made winning on synthetic and turf, nothing wrong with that. But the chances she is even equally as good on dirt as she is on those surfaces is minimal at best.

This is intriguing, as I'm really clueless when it come picking out these little nuances. Question?

I've looked at CS' races very closely, focusing, in particular, on the way she finishes ---is she straight, does she stay on the correct lead, when under pressure, etc. There's been vast improvement from race to race. So much so, that I wouldn't put much past this filly --though I could be wrong.

Now, since you're able to posit that this horse won't handle the dirt, I wonder what your opinion was/is concering the dirt ability of Mushka and Backseat Rhythm; the latter finishing ahead of CS on the turf; and the former behind her; both getting worse trips than CS. When watching that race, or looking at your figures for that race, were you able to project that BR would run a good 2nd behind Indian Blessing in the Frizette and that Mushka would win the Demoiselle in (perfect trip) visually impressive fashion?
Of course, you might not think much of these two and when opining that CS won't be very good on the dirt, you level exceeds that of these two presently.

Additionally, what were your thoughts about Lear's Princess (poly, turf, dirt)? Did you think she would handle the dirt and, if so, what was the difference in her running style?

[blackthroatedwind]

Backstreet Rhythm had already demonstrated she was OK on the dirt. I realize her races may not look good on paper but there were extenuating circumstances and what she really needed was more distance ( I did make her a hidden horse on Playing to Win off her Saratoga races ). However, her suck up second in the Frizette was not nearly as good as her turf race and while I can understand them trying dirt stakes for obvious reasons I think, based on her maiden win, her real future lies on the lawn.

As for Mushka, she ran much better on the dirt ( albeit a wet track ) in her maiden win than her turf debut and as you pointed out she benefited from a great setup in winning the Demoiselle ( though she still ran OK ). Just because two OK dirt horses happened to run in the turf maiden race of Country Star's hardly increases the likelihood that she's a turf horse. I can't understand your logic in that....if that's what you're implying.

I will say that Lear's Princess, however, is a great example of a horse that is talented on all surfaces. She is much more the exception than the rule.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

I'll be shocked if she is a star on dirt. She doesn't run like a dirt horse. Now, there is a lot of money to be made winning on synthetic and turf, nothing wrong with that. But the chances she is even equally as good on dirt as she is on those surfaces is minimal at best.

Can you tell me, and I really am interested not trying to be a wise-ass, what makes you think she does not run like a dirt horse?

NT