The Alabama - is there a prayer

[Betsy]

I'm not saying this as sour grapes, but I'm not sure how great a race it was. Those fractions were suitable for trotting horses, not thoroughbreds. I don't think every close race is great. If MN had won, I'd be thrilled, but I would also be disappointed as I don't think she ran that well. I had a bad feeling all afternoon about this filly. I just got the idea that Godolphin was talking up Little Belle and that Music Note did not really flourish after the CCAO. Her work the other day, when she went 2 seconds slower than Little Belle, sounded a couple of alarms with me.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I'm not saying this as sour grapes, but I'm not sure how great a race it was. Those fractions were suitable for trotting horses, not thoroughbreds. I don't think every close race is great. If MN had won, I'd be thrilled, but I would also be disappointed as I don't think she ran that well. I had a bad feeling all afternoon about this filly. I just got the idea that Godolphin was talking up Little Belle and that Music Note did not really flourish after the CCAO. Her work the other day, when she went 2 seconds slower than Little Belle, sounded a couple of alarms with me.

it did? i thought you seemed happy with her work, and how she finished up. and she only lost by a head today, not exactly a disappointing effort. looking forward to the rubber match between todays top two.

[eajinabi]

They will meet in the BC but not sure how good they will be against Zenyatta on her home court

[Theatrical]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

They will meet in the BC but not sure how good they will be against Zenyatta on her home court

A really nice shootout between Proud Spell and Music Note.

That said, Zenyatta will be waiting.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Theatrical

A really nice shootout between Proud Spell and Music Note.

That said, Zenyatta will be waiting.

she's going in the classic

[Theatrical]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

she's going in the classic

Zenyatta will go in the Distaff. That race has been her connections' goal since December and they have maintained that from the get go.

Originally Posted by Theatrical

Zenyatta will go in the Distaff. That race has been her connections' goal since December and they have maintained that from the get go.

she will run in the classic...
if not the connections are crazy, right now she would be the favorite in the classic, who would be bet ? commentator, or student council ?
zenyatta almost has to run in the classic

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Danzig

it did? i thought you seemed happy with her work, and how she finished up. and she only lost by a head today, not exactly a disappointing effort. looking forward to the rubber match between todays top two.

I posted that above comment almost immediately after the race, which completely bummed me out. I had a bad feeling about Music Note, but more because I'm always like that before a race. She ran ok, but losing by a head kills........especially when she looked like she was going to win. This is the 2nd time I've had a horse come back on one of my favorites (the other being Mambo in Seattle against You and I Forever) and it sure is frustrating. She's still a nice filly, but losing this race smarts a lot.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I posted that above comment almost immediately after the race, which completely bummed me out. I had a bad feeling about Music Note, but more because I'm always like that before a race. She ran ok, but losing by a head kills........especially when she looked like she was going to win. This is the 2nd time I've had a horse come back on one of my favorites (the other being Mambo in Seattle against You and I Forever) and it sure is frustrating. She's still a nice filly, but losing this race smarts a lot.

Actually, she hung like a RAT. But she was all out on the turn to keep up.

It was entertaining, to say the least, to see GODOLPHIN BENT OVER. They tried to control the race with their rabbit and PS basically shoved it right back in their face.

At some point, Saez needs to come off PS and Darley might think about bumping Castellano.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Actually, she hung like a RAT. But she was all out on the turn to keep up.

It was entertaining, to say the least, to see GODOLPHIN BENT OVER. They tried to control the race with their rabbit and PS basically shoved it right back in their face.

At some point, Saez needs to come off PS and Darley might think about bumping Castellano.

right, they sent a so-called rabbit (which LB was not) to trot out fractions like 6 furlongs in 1:15.......

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Betsy

right, they sent a so-called rabbit (which LB was not) to trot out fractions like 6 furlongs in 1:15.......

I was thinking the same thing when i read that post. If little Belle was indeed supposed to be a "rabbit" Little Belle's jockey should be shot because Little Belle certainly didnt behave like one.

No, I think Little Belle was in there for insurance purposes only. If the pace was easy, she was going to try to steal it.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I was thinking the same thing when i read that post. If little Belle was indeed supposed to be a "rabbit" Little Belle's jockey should be shot because Little Belle certainly didnt behave like one.

No, I think Little Belle was in there for insurance purposes only. If the pace was easy, she was going to try to steal it.

I agree - Music Note is a good filly, so she doesn't need a rabbit. It's the Alabama, so this was a logical spot for Little Belle.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Actually, she hung like a RAT. But she was all out on the turn to keep up.

It was entertaining, to say the least, to see GODOLPHIN BENT OVER. They tried to control the race with their rabbit and PS basically shoved it right back in their face.

At some point, Saez needs to come off PS and Darley might think about bumping Castellano.

Why? He is Jones first call....no way he comes off....and the more I watch him the more impressive he is.....

[PPerfectfan]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Actually, she hung like a RAT. But she was all out on the turn to keep up.

It was entertaining, to say the least, to see GODOLPHIN BENT OVER. They tried to control the race with their rabbit and PS basically shoved it right back in their face.

At some point, Saez needs to come off PS and Darley might think about bumping Castellano.

I really didnt think MN hung, it was more like Proud Spell refused to lose. I cant wait to see her out in Calif. when I go for the BC! Has anyone heard what her next race will be?

[Betsy]

What I don't understand is why everyone (the racing writers and Larry Jones) thinks PS has locked up an Eclipse. She's tied 1-1 with Music Note and there is still the rest of the year to consider, even if that MN doesn't go to the BC. There are the races at Belmont, and what happens if Music Note beats older mares?

[Danzig]

because she just added a win in the alabama to a win in the kentucky oaks? and of course there was the win in delaware. i'd think at this point she's had a better year. and of course her loss to music note was after a rough start, and horrible trip. not to say that she'd have won with a good start/trip, but certainly people will be willing to give her benefit of the doubt. she's accomplished more at this point than music note.

[mbahadur]

Originally Posted by PPerfectfan

I really didnt think MN hung, it was more like Proud Spell refused to lose. I cant wait to see her out in Calif. when I go for the BC! Has anyone heard what her next race will be?

Per Steve Haskin article on bloodhorse website today, Proud Spell is most likely skipping the BC since she ran poorly on an artificial surface in the Ashland.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by mbahadur

Per Steve Haskin article on bloodhorse website today, Proud Spell is most likely skipping the BC since she ran poorly on an artificial surface in the Ashland.

a lot of horses will be skipping the bc this year for that very reason.