Z Humor in the Fountain of Youth

[Scurlogue Champ]

He'll be fine.

8 days rest is plenty.

[lemoncrush]

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.

[Kasept]

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...

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Kasept

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.

[VOL JACK]

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.

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

He'll be fine.

8 days rest is plenty.

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

[dylbert]

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.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

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

[asudevil]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

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

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

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by dylbert

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.

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.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

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

[ALostTexan]

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...

Originally Posted by freddymo

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

It seemed a little topaz driven to me.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

It seemed a little topaz driven to me.

What a gem of a post!

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

then only the top 20 in graded earnings will get in instead of the top 20 in graded earnings.

I laughed.

[dylbert]

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.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by dylbert

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.

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.

Originally Posted by dylbert

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!

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.

Originally Posted by dylbert

3. Cause trainer (or trainers) to move horse (or horses) to other venues where they are not familiar and may not succeed.

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.

Originally Posted by dylbert

These are plausible actions by big money owners and trainers to ensure that their horses -- a) do make Kentucky Derby starting gate

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

Originally Posted by dylbert

These are plausible actions by big money owners and trainers to ensure that their horses 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.

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.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by monipenny

How could Z Humor's effort be described as bad in the Sam Davis at Tampa? This horse never lifted a foot on that track at Tampa, and there is no way that Mott runs this guy back for the Tampa Derby. Tampa is a funny track and some really love it or don't at all. He expended no energy last week and ran slower then he would run in a listed workout. Mott makes the right decision running him back at GP and this horse has the speed to be right there at the end. I hope they run cause his odds will be inflated off his last debacle at TBD. Here's hoping this derby prep produces some interesting options for races to come.

You are right, atrocious is probably a better word.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by monipenny

How could Z Humor's effort be described as bad in the Sam Davis at Tampa? This horse never lifted a foot on that track at Tampa, and there is no way that Mott runs this guy back for the Tampa Derby. Tampa is a funny track and some really love it or don't at all. He expended no energy last week and ran slower then he would run in a listed workout. Mott makes the right decision running him back at GP and this horse has the speed to be right there at the end. I hope they run cause his odds will be inflated off his last debacle at TBD. Here's hoping this derby prep produces some interesting options for races to come.

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.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

He'll be fine.

8 days rest is plenty.

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.