3/7 (SA): SA H. (Gr. I); Kilroe (Gr. I); SA Oaks (Gr. I); Honest Lady (L)

[CSC]

I don't know what it is with Mike Smith with fillies & mares, he's ridden some great one's throughout his career. Saying that, that was not a good ride on Stardom Bound. That horse had every excuse to lose with that trip.

Originally Posted by CSC

I don't know what it is with Mike Smith with fillies & mares, he's ridden some great one's throughout his career. Saying that, that was not a good ride on Stardom Bound. That horse had every excuse to lose with that trip.

I did not really see the entire trip.
The place horse came out pretty bad there
on Smith.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I did not really see the entire trip.
The place horse came out pretty bad there
on Smith.

Well I have to retract abit, it wasn't as bad as I first thought, saved ground around the first turn and very wide on the final turn. A lesser horse wouldn't have won, but when you have the best horse I guess you can afford to lose abit of ground. Abit being the operative word...Very close to losing on the heavy favorite giving up that much ground.

[Merlinsky]

They do know they're supposed to run straight right? Seriously what are they trying to do to my ticker?

Is it fair to assume Stardom Bound is just not improving as much as her peers or is it a function of her running style that sometimes her races'll give you a pucker factor?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

They do know they're supposed to run straight right? Seriously what are they trying to do to my ticker?

Is it fair to assume Stardom Bound is just not improving as much as her peers or is it a function of her running style that sometimes her races'll give you a pucker factor?

deep closers can be fun to watch, but as you said, they can give you some anxious moments as well.
but her last two, imo, are nothing like what she was doing last fall. i think she's exhibited the same precocity as her sire and dam and that her peers will be notching some wins on her within the next race or two. i think the gap has closed considerably.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

They do know they're supposed to run straight right? Seriously what are they trying to do to my ticker?

Is it fair to assume Stardom Bound is just not improving as much as her peers or is it a function of her running style that sometimes her races'll give you a pucker factor?

Or maybe the change in barns?

[Cannon Shell]

While it was nice to see Helen win, the Santa Anita Handicap has seen better days. The older grass horses stink.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

While it was nice to see Helen win, the Santa Anita Handicap has seen better days. The older grass horses stink.

i was enjoying the international flavor a bit-the 'cap this year seemed to draw a variety of horses. but it definitely had a turf field, regardless of what some want to call the main track out there.

Milf!

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

While it was nice to see Helen win, the Santa Anita Handicap has seen better days. The older grass horses stink.

I'm waiting for a track to have a dirt course, and a synthetic course, which would mean we'd still have dirt racing, but we'd also never be off the "turf."

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by CSC

I don't know what it is with Mike Smith with fillies & mares, he's ridden some great one's throughout his career. Saying that, that was not a good ride on Stardom Bound. That horse had every excuse to lose with that trip.

He clearly expected her to have much more than she showed going into the turn... I'd expect them to bring her back softly - hate to make a decision about the Derby off one effort, but I wouldn't touch her at this point if she comes out of the race ok

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

He clearly expected her to have much more than she showed going into the turn... I'd expect them to bring her back softly - hate to make a decision about the Derby off one effort, but I wouldn't touch her at this point if she comes out of the race ok

from the interview i heard, she will be continuing vs females.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I don't see what was wrong with the ride or how it was any different than any of the other ones he's given her.

Last early, out in the clear on the backstretch, and circle the field.

I guess he got caught a little wider than usual because the field stacked up some .. but the wider the better on these synthetics.

That track has been a little more kind to speed the last 10 days... but I'd still rather be 8 wide and have the best late speed in the field than be a early speed type.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I don't see what was wrong with the ride or how it was any different than any of the other ones he's given her.

Last early, out in the clear on the backstretch, and circle the field.

I guess he got caught a little wider than usual because the field stacked up some .. but the wider the better on these synthetics.

That track has been a little more kind to speed the last 10 days... but I'd still rather be 8 wide and have the best late speed in the field than be a early speed type.

it was his typical ride on her, and a typical run from her-the difference is the competition is doing better now than they had in races' past imo.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I don't see what was wrong with the ride or how it was any different than any of the other ones he's given her.

Last early, out in the clear on the backstretch, and circle the field.

I guess he got caught a little wider than usual because the field stacked up some .. but the wider the better on these synthetics.

That track has been a little more kind to speed the last 10 days... but I'd still rather be 8 wide and have the best late speed in the field than be a early speed type.

You'd think he thought he was riding Zenzatta, that's his MO.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by CSC

You'd think he thought he was riding Zenzatta, that's his MO.

Style wise, I see no difference between the two horses.

You didn't think he was going to actually try and weave his way through traffic on a 1/5 favorite that sticks out like a sore thumb?

[Danzig]

and perhaps there were still so many in the way, to be passed, because the other three year old fillies are better than what she had to blow by previously?
you have to expect on a deep closer that he/she will almost always be fanned wide and not have a perfect trip, especially with a full field.
but the 'old' stardom bound would have made it look effortless-she still is the old horse, but her competition is not.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Danzig

and perhaps there were still so many in the way, to be passed, because the other three year old fillies are better than what she had to blow by previously?
you have to expect on a deep closer that he/she will almost always be fanned wide and not have a perfect trip, especially with a full field.
but the 'old' stardom bound would have made it look effortless-she still is the old horse, but her competition is not.

I think that may be the way it is. I'd still go to the SA Derby with her. She has nothing else to prove against the California fillies and there isn't even another race for her here so run in the SA Derby and if it doesn't work, go to the Kentucky Oaks.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Style wise, I see no difference between the two horses.

You didn't think he was going to actually try and weave his way through traffic on a 1/5 favorite that sticks out like a sore thumb?

You know what they say, Jocks can't win most of the times anyway. Lose and you are a bum, win all is forgiven. A nose the other way and that ride would have been much more magified. Regardless I understand your point and I agree with it to a point, I would even agree with you more if not for the rider, who has always shown a disdain for the rail for much of his career.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by CSC

the rider, who has always shown a disdain for the rail for much of his career.

Yeah, over the last seven or eight years he's never seen a seven path he didn't like.

However, saving ground is much more important on the turf and dirt ... that synthetic track out there is very wide path friendly.