Memo to Dutrow, Casino Drive is Godzilla

[Zippy Chippy]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Go back,and you'll see that both Smarty and Funny Cide won the Preakness in similar fashion. Dutrow's "techniques" may get him through the last leg, but this race is not like the other 2 legs.

If I recall correctly, wasn't Funny Cide needlessly whipped all the way to the wire in his Preakness? It seemed like that driving finish sapped him of energy that he would need three weeks later. As for Smarty, I wonder if he was running against a stronger crop with more legitimate contenders. It seemed like they threw speed at him the whole way. I kind of think that Big Brown can rate the speedballs and take over the race once they have burned out.

[ELA]

I won't debate the Preakness aspect itself, but with Funny Cide -- he was becoming sharper and sharper, and more unmanagable as they got closer to the Belmont. His final work before the Belmont was merely the culmination of what had been going on. This is no reflection on Tagg by the way as I think he is an excellent horseman, and he is very well respected by his peers.

Eric

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by ELA

I won't debate the Preakness aspect itself, but with Funny Cide -- he was becoming sharper and sharper, and more unmanagable as they got closer to the Belmont. His final work before the Belmont was merely the culmination of what had been going on. This is no reflection on Tagg by the way as I think he is an excellent horseman, and he is very well respected by his peers.

Eric

Thats right... I forgot and he was rank as hell in the Belmont... who knows what may have happened if he could settle. It would have been tough beating Empire Maker though.

I dont think Casino Drive is anything like Empire Maker... or Birdstone for that matter. or Victory Gallop.. or Touch Gold... I can go on and on.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Well,we are due for a T. C. Winner. I do know if he doesn't want the full 12f, then he we be found out. I think, compared to the tracks he has been running on, this actually will feel like a mile and 3/4 race. He may want that, and he may not. The fact that Jazil looked like did(against horses he already faced in the Derby) should show you how different it is from the other 2 legs. Certain horses either adore the surface, or the distance. People don't realize some really like the change to this surface.

[Better Than Honour]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Well,we are due for a T. C. Winner. I do know if he doesn't want the full 12f, then he we be found out. I think, compared to the tracks he has been running on, this actually will feel like a mile and 3/4 race. He may want that, and he may not. The fact that Jazil looked like did(against horses he already faced in the Derby) should show you how different it is from the other 2 legs. Certain horses either adore the surface, or the distance. People don't realize some really like the change to this surface.

I love Jazil but the reason he won is because he was the only horse capable of running the 12f. The 95 beyer was incredibly slow but the pedigree usually wins out in the belmont.

[pgiaco]

Who is going to make Big Brown run for more than maybe 3 furlongs of the Belmont? Certainly no one we've seen so far, and if you say Casino Drive will press him from when they kick it I will puke.

[Better Than Honour]

Originally Posted by pgiaco

Who is going to make Big Brown run for more than maybe 3 furlongs of the Belmont? Certainly no one we've seen so far, and if you say Casino Drive will press him from when they kick it I will puke.

Why wouldn't Casino press him? Casino is obviously talented. More talented than anything Big Brown has faced. Casino's mother has also won this race 2 years in a row with her offspring. Did you think Rags would beat HOY Curlin in last years Belmont?

[pgiaco]

Originally Posted by Better Than Honour

Why wouldn't Casino press him? Casino is obviously talented. More talented than anything Big Brown has faced. Casino's mother has also won this race 2 years in a row with her offspring. Did you think Rags would beat HOY Curlin in last years Belmont?

It's his 3rd lifetime start and he is stretching out 3 furlongs. While he is better bred for the mile and a half I can't imagine that you think he is ready to take on the horse that is towering over his crop from the start of the race. Rags to Riches had 5 or 6 starts and won the Gr 1 Kentucky Oaks. Jazil beat an average field in the Belmont, but he competed in the Wood Memorial and the Derby before the Belmont.

While Casino Drive was impressive in the Peter Pan, Big Brown was jaw dropping in the Preakness.

If you hought the Preakness was a bunch of bums, what was behind Casino in the Peter Pan?

I don't think you can just throw CD in this race and say he is the most likely winner just because of his dam.