How frustrating

[Nostradamus]

I like Pine Island but she looks like an anteater when she runs.

[Danzig]

but coming in first looks great!

[ateamstupid]

How could anyone not love Pine Island? This filly handles EVERYTHING that's thrown at her. I agree about her being the Distaff winner, although it's probably gonna be a deep field and there's a few that scare me.

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

I like Pine Island but she looks like an anteater when she runs.

I remember two other terrific fillies who had the same head-down style ... Quill and Super Staff ...

... especially Super Staff who looked like she was grazing as she buzzed along over the lawn.

Pine Island has really been brought along beautifully by Shug ... congratulations to both of them!

[Rupert Pupkin]

A.P. Indy ran with his head very low. I think he held his head lower than Pine Island.

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

A.P. Indy ran with his head very low. I think he held his head lower than Pine Island.

But ...

... did he look like an anteater?

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

A.P. Indy ran with his head very low. I think he held his head lower than Pine Island.

He did; Eddie D once said something to the effect like he had all he could do to hold on to Indy, his head was so low! Up until a few months ago, I still had the Blood Horse edition from his Belmont - I think Penny Chenery said that Indy reminded her of Secretariat in the way that they ran......not surprising, given that Indy's broodmare sire is Big Red.

I also thought that Teammate had a bad start, which didn't help her any - I assumed she was going to the lead. Maybe this helped her anyway, for the future, at least. If she can rate kindly, she'll win more races.

The older fillies aren't that great - Pine Island has a great shot. I'm not a fan of the filly, but I can not be unhappy about any Phipps horse winning.

[Pedigree Ann]

Like her 'aunt' Pleasant Home and so many others of Phipps breeding, Pine Island appreciates a test of stamina and a long stretch in which to make her run. Her low head carriage may make it easier to balance herself with those huge strides of hers.

She's a gorgeous filly with some of the best breeding around... she will be a great second to my Balletto in the Distaff.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I like the anteater look. I'm no expert in this, but I think it lengthens the stride keeping the head down. Anyone know for sure??

it's the way the Euro's run for the most part. I like it too, she looks like a determined, well...Pine Island.

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I like the anteater look. I'm no expert in this, but I think it lengthens the stride keeping the head down. Anyone know for sure??

It depends on how the horse is built. For a horse who is built like Pine Island, if she puts her head up in the air, it will shorten her stride because it hollows out her back. A low head carriage doesn't necessarily equate to a longer stride. Length of stride depends on their motor (hock and hip), length of the back, and their shoulder angle. I like Thoroughbreds who hold there heads slightly above their withers while running like Afleet Alex and Bernardini. I personally do not like how Pine Island runs or how she is built. I hold my breath everytime I watch her run and thank God that she makes it off the track. Horses that are built like her are prime candidates for serious breakdowns and soundness issues. She has too much weight on her front end and is built too downhill for me. Her neck sets in too low into her chest. Most horses naturally carry around 60% of their weight on their front end. Well, Pine Island definitely carries more than that. She is a very big mare too. It scares me. I love her though, and think that she is very brillant. I hope to God I am wrong about her, but I would give her a good chance of having serious soundness problems. One thing going for her is that she is a grinder and she runs about the same pace throughout the race. She doesn't have an explosive turn of foot. Although, I can't see her legs very good while she is running, she also looks to have a very good colume of bone too. These two factors may be enough to compensate for her being so heavy on her front end.

[Jax Cajun]

Originally Posted by kentuckyrosesinmay

It depends on how the horse is built. For a horse who is built like Pine Island, if she puts her head up in the air, it will shorten her stride because it hollows out her back. A low head carriage doesn't necessarily equate to a longer stride. Length of stride depends on their motor (hock and hip), length of the back, and their shoulder angle. I like Thoroughbreds who hold there heads slightly above their withers while running like Afleet Alex and Bernardini. I personally do not like how Pine Island runs or how she is built. I hold my breath everytime I watch her run and thank God that she makes it off the track. Horses that are built like her are prime candidates for serious breakdowns and soundness issues. She has too much weight on her front end and is built too downhill for me. Her neck sets in too low into her chest. Most horses naturally carry around 60% of their weight on their front end. Well, Pine Island definitely carries more than that. She is a very big mare too. It scares me. I love her though, and think that she is very brillant. I hope to God I am wrong about her, but I would give her a good chance of having serious soundness problems. One thing going for her is that she is a grinder and she runs about the same pace throughout the race. She doesn't have an explosive turn of foot. Although, I can't see her legs very good while she is running, she also looks to have a very good colume of bone too. These two factors may be enough to compensate for her being so heavy on her front end.

This analysis occurred prior to the fatal Pine Island breakdown. It's as accurate as they get.

[kentuckyrosesinmay]

I see you made it on here. Welcome, and I hope you have a good time posting!

We can always use another pedigree expert on the board.

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I like the anteater look. I'm no expert in this, but I think it lengthens the stride keeping the head down. Anyone know for sure??

It does in track...and horses have 2 more legs,lol

[Gander]

Its not really going out on much of a limb to predict Pine Island wins the BC race. I think shes far and away the best 3 year old filly, its about time we get a horse like her instead of the ones just taking turns. Shes pretty amazing and that come from behind running style surely isnt doing her any favors.

Temmate had a perfect trip and if she cant win with that kind of setup she never will. She wil never beat Pine Island and old chief knows it.