8/15 (SAR): Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1)

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Garcia is really good, but Ramon always seems to be in the right spot.

I agree..as was the case last weekend with Gio Ponti. Sure, he had the best horse, but it was a perfectly timed move. I had to watch the replay to how he even got the lead, because it seemed to happen in an instant.

[randallscott35]

That would be 2 more grass wins today and he didn't even have a mount in the feature. Garcia is nasty.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by lemoncrush

Gio Ponti. Sure, he had the best horse, but it was a perfectly timed move. I had to watch the replay to how he even got the lead, because it seemed to happen in an instant.

The 'got the jump on them' style of trip handicapping firmly on display.

A poorly judged move by Ramon (though to that point, he sat a perfect inside drafting trip). Of course, he's probably not familiar with that long stretch run at AP.

Why is Brass Hat not running on dirt? Sheesh.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Why is Brass Hat not running on dirt? Sheesh.

While I am a huge proponent of geldings running time they justy dont wish to compete anymore....Why is Brass Hat running period?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by freddymo

While I am a huge proponent of geldings running time they justy dont wish to compete anymore....Why is Brass Hat running period?

We had a similar conversation about this horse in April. First this:

Originally Posted by Pedagogue Ann

Poor old Brass Hat. He used to be one of the best dirt horses in the world (see Donn H and Dubai World Cup finishes). Hasn't been the same since he came back from Dubai and the last couple of injuries. I realize he is the only Big Horse in a small stable and they want him to still be a stakes horse but he may not have it anymore. I've loved him since he won the Rushaway as a maiden (had him in the CITGO/Pick 6 contest), I just hope he will come out of this race safe and with some dignity intact.

Then this:

Originally Posted by Kasept

Enough... You're so preposterous and full of crap that I can't help myself any more. Some dignity? If you actually had any real interest or knowledge or watched the races, you might actually have noted his wide rallying try in the Munoz last out beaten less than two lengths by Proudinsky and Nownownow that earned a 97 Beyer, his best yet on the lawn in his 6th grass race.

He hasn't been the same since he came back from Dubai? You mean other than winning the '07 Mass Cap (98 Beyer); running a just-missed second in the '07 Clark (102 Beyer); a 4th beaten 3L in the '08 Donn (102 Beyer); and mid-90 Beyer 3rds-5ths in 5 graded stakes since the Donn? In the actual real racehorse world, he is the EXACT same horse more or less at 8 as he was at 6 and 7.

I'll let Buff Bradley know how concerned you are about his family and the gelding's dignity. Brass Hat looks terrific and Bradley said hours ago he expects a big effort in the Elkhorn.

He happened to run a very competitive third in the Elkhorn then won the Louisville Handicap after that. I think he's still got a little bit in him and wouldn't be surprised to see him hit the board on Saturday.

NT

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

He happened to run a very competitive third in the Elkhorn then won the Louisville Handicap after that. I think he's still got a little bit in him and wouldn't be surprised to see him hit the board on Saturday.

NT

I agree. It's really a horrible bunch for a G1.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

He happened to run a very competitive third in the Elkhorn then won the Louisville Handicap after that. I think he's still got a little bit in him and wouldn't be surprised to see him hit the board on Saturday.

NT

He's just one of many horses (C types) that need to make the last move in a collapsing race to win. Problem, for him, and the others, is that he rarely gets a race where he's the only one with this style. Then it becomes a matter of racing luck and when in the flow sequence his jock moves him.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

He's just one of many horses (C types) that need to make the last move in a collapsing race to win. Problem, for him, and the others, is that he rarely gets a race where he's the only one with this style. Then it becomes a matter of racing luck and when in the flow sequence his jock moves him.

It is a multi-faceted race from a pace standpoint but I can see Lauro and Musketier setting an honest pace and if Borel is good at anything it's falling into the right suck-up trip.

I have been among the biggest detractors of Grand Couturier but he's been positioned perfectly for this race and may have run a better race than it looked last time out.

NT

[Bobby Fischer]

any opinions of Gentleman Chester? I'm not sure what to think about his last race. leaning towards not impressed.

[SOREHOOF]

Win races.. get better horses.. win more races.. get even better horses! Kirian doesn't hurt. The kid is good. No doubt left!