"best horse I've ever ridden"

[Star of the North]

I happened to catch the race in real time on HRTV and the part that doesn't make sense was Jeff Siegel's reaction. Not thirty seconds past the wire, he's calling him "The best colt in the country."

Here's a guy that's been connected to a couple of really good ones making that kind of statement.

On April 18 last year, Godolphin rolled out a 4-year named Rondo who drilled an allowance field at Gulfstream in a similar fashion after winning by nine in his previous start eight months prior at Saratoga.

Rondo was beaten in an optional claimer at Belmont at 1-5 odds the following month and for all intents, was never heard from again.

Maybe there's memo out at HRTV that's calling for some hype to help viewership for the big race at Gulfstream.

DMM

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Star of the North

I happened to catch the race in real time on HRTV and the part that doesn't make sense was Jeff Siegel's reaction. Not thirty seconds past the wire, he's calling him "The best colt in the country."

Here's a guy that's been connected to a couple of really good ones making that kind of statement.

On April 18 last year, Godolphin rolled out a 4-year named Rondo who drilled an allowance field at Gulfstream in a similar fashion after winning by nine in his previous start eight months prior at Saratoga.

Rondo was beaten in an optional claimer at Belmont at 1-5 odds the following month and for all intents, was never heard from again.

Maybe there's memo out at HRTV that's calling for some hype to help viewership for the big race at Gulfstream.

DMM

Interesting point. I am not going to argue about Kent's comments, or about Siegel's opinion for that matter. However, just as a point of reference, Jeff Siegel wasn't just "connected" to some really good horses. His role was much more than that. Although most people here may know about Siegel, being a co-founder/partner in Team Valor (and their predecessor operation), most people here don't know the details and specifics, his role, etc.

There is a huge difference between handicapping (picking out a good horse to bet on) and identifying talent (picking out a good horse to buy, own, etc.).

Eric

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by ELA

Interesting point. I am not going to argue about Kent's comments, or about Siegel's opinion for that matter. However, just as a point of reference, Jeff Siegel wasn't just "connected" to some really good horses. His role was much more than that. Although most people here may know about Siegel, being a co-founder/partner in Team Valor (and their predecessor operation), most people here don't know the details and specifics, his role, etc.

There is a huge difference between handicapping (picking out a good horse to bet on) and identifying talent (picking out a good horse to buy, own, etc.).

Eric

Despite their prominence amongst racing syndicates, has Team Valor really been all that productive?

Outside of Prized (who was one of the early Clover Racing Stable horses) and Star of Cozzene (another Clover Racing horse) I can't really think of any horses that they campaigned successfully that weren't already well established at the time of purchase.

[AeWingnut]

as recently as last year or was it the year before they took come South African filly to Dubai and won a big race.

How much success do you expect from them?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

as recently as last year or was it the year before they took come South African filly to Dubai and won a big race.

How much success do you expect from them?

I was basically replying to the statement about Jeff Siegel's eye for horses (as apparently he thinks the world of Big Brown). Outside of the 2 I mentioned, who I think still had allowance conditions at the time, I can't think of any particularly astute purchases they made recently.

They bought into Ipi Tombe after she had already won various accolades in South Africa. I don't think you needed to have been particularly adept at judging racing talent to be able to identify Ipi Tombe as the best horse in South Africa at the time, given her illustrious record. That was 5 years ago by the way.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

They bought King of the Roxy before he was established - not like he is any world beater.

Did they buy Captain Bodgit before or after the Lrl Futurity?

[Star of the North]

I was only knocking Jeff's apparent over-reaction to Big Brown's easy victory over suspect competition. I happen to think Barry and Jeff are very good judges of horseflesh and their overall record in syndicating profitable runners is an admirable one. To a certain extent West Point's recent success has eclipsed the other major racing partnerships in terms of getting press.

That said, Visionaire looks like the latest in a series of solid syndications for Team Valor.

It appears that Jeff is no longer a player in the Team Valor venture. Can anyone shed some light as to why?

DMM

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

They bought King of the Roxy before he was established - not like he is any world beater.

Did they buy Captain Bodgit before or after the Lrl Futurity?

I think they got Capt. Bodgit after the Laurel Futurity.

They certainly have won big races like the Big Cap, Atto Mile, Santa Anita Derby, etc. but a lot of those were one-hit wonder-types. Prized and Star Of Cozzene were the only horses I recall that held Grade 1-calibur form for several races.