3/7 (AQU): Gotham S. (Gr. III); Toboggan H. (Gr. III)

[Pedigree Ann]

Since when has the inner track at Aqueduct been comparable to a real dirt track? If you handicap that way, you'll lose a lot of $.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Since when has the inner track at Aqueduct been comparable to a real dirt track? If you handicap that way, you'll lose a lot of $.

Are you playing " can you top this " for inane posts?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Since when has the inner track at Aqueduct been comparable to a real dirt track? If you handicap that way, you'll lose a lot of $.

What are you talking about?

NT

[Bobby Fischer]

If you watched today's races, consider their breeding , and look at their strides in the head-on, Nicanor actually looks like he has a better chance to run a decent 10furlongs in May than Imperial Council.



seriously

[blackthroatedwind]

The pace was an absolute crawlfest in the Gotham. Mr. Fantasy will never beat halfway decent horses going long without an easy lead. I Want Revenge ran OK, and might be alright, but lets see how he does without everything going his way.

Now, Imperial Council is a different story. While clearly he got a great ride, saving ground, but the dynamics were WAY against him, and it seems pretty obvious the idea was to see what he could do in more realistic race situations down the road where the stakes are MUCH higher. I think we know now.

He fits very well, at this point, with any KY Derby contender and may well prove the best 3YO this year.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

The pace was an absolute crawlfest in the Gotham. Mr. Fantasy will never beat halfway decent horses going long without an easy lead. I Want Revenge ran OK, and might be alright, but lets see how he does without everything going his way.

Now, Imperial Council is a different story. While clearly he got a great ride, saving ground, but the dynamics were WAY against him, and it seems pretty obvious the idea was to see what he could do in more realistic race situations down the road where the stakes are MUCH higher. I think we know now.

He fits very well, at this point, with any KY Derby contender and may well prove the best 3YO this year.

The race dynamics definitely did not favor IC today and I Want Revenge did enjoy a great trip but it made absolutely no sense for him to be nine lengths out early. You think that was part of the plan? I mean, it is peculiar that Shug McGaughey is the only guy whose horses can work :48 and change at Payson and then end up eight lengths off a :48 and change in a race.

He was moving well in the late stages and should get better going longer, but he's now going to need to run at least 2nd in the Wood to get into the Derby. The best thing for this horse might be for him to miss the exacta in the Wood and thus skip the Derby because then he might be able to grow into a nice horse later this year.

NT

[justindew]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

The race dynamics definitely did not favor IC today and I Want Revenge did enjoy a great trip but it made absolutely no sense for him to be nine lengths out early. You think that was part of the plan? I mean, it is peculiar that Shug McGaughey is the only guy whose horses can work :48 and change at Payson and then end up eight lengths off a :48 and change in a race.

He was moving well in the late stages and should get better going longer, but he's now going to need to run at least 2nd in the Wood to get into the Derby. The best thing for this horse might be for him to miss the exacta in the Wood and thus skip the Derby because then he might be able to grow into a nice horse later this year.

NT

He gained no ground whatsoever on the winner in the stretch. Mr. Fantasy was walking home in the final 100 yards.

Still, all things considered (pace, experience, etc.), it has to be viewed as a solid effort.

[Cannon Shell]

I dont think IC ran a bad race but if he had a bit of trouble or had to lose any ground he gets beat 10+ lengths. The pace was an obvious factor and it prevented him from having a legit chance to win or even run closer but I dont know that I am as high as Andy is on him. Though rooting for Shug is a lot more palatable then some of my other contemporaries.

After watching it again, the winners race may wind up being more of a mirage than a sign of things to come.

[blackthroatedwind]

I think the plan was clearly to drop out of it and make one run. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think Shug knows exactly what he's doing.

I hope he gets in the Derby.......because he can absolutely win it.

[KirisClown]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think Shug knows exactly what he's doing..

I don't usually disagree with you.. but I have to this time.. Here's why.. in one corner you have McGaughey, a hall of fame trainer.. winner of countless Graded stakes.. success most trainers can only dream of... In the other corner you have message board fans with thousands of posts to their credit...

It's a no brainer who is right..

I wouldnt be surprised at all if Imperial Council's owners were reading this thread and totally second guessing Shug and their horse..

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fischer

If you watched today's races, consider their breeding , and look at their strides in the head-on, Nicanor actually looks like he has a better chance to run a decent 10furlongs in May than Imperial Council.



seriously

Nicanor has a far better chance of running in the 1st race on Derby day (a maiden) than in the feature.