8/7 (DMR): Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1)

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

It's about just trying to stay undefeated and having her cranked up to run one whole big race this year.

Coming to Saratoga and trying to beat Rachel Alexandra on dirt - the surface which most American horses are bred best for - at the Classic distance of 10fs - that would have been awesome.

They know she is more likely to finish ahead of RA in the Classic because horses like Quality Road and Rail Trip won't let her loaf ... so, it's basically a full of year of yawners leading into a half court heave at a dirt BC Classic in which she will have her best possible chance at placing in front of RA as some moral victory if she doesn't win the race outright.

After yesterday's races, personally I'm looking forward to the BCC and Blame v. Zenyatta. If both horses win their next races, we'll have the undefeated mare from the west going against the undefeated colt (in 2010) from the east. The media would hopefully eat this up and really promote the race. RA, at this point, is an afterthought.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

After yesterday's races, personally I'm looking forward to the BCC and Blame v. Zenyatta. If both horses win their next races, we'll have the undefeated mare from the west going against the undefeated colt (in 2010) from the east. The media would hopefully eat this up and really promote the race. RA, at this point, is an afterthought.

How exactly is RA an afterthought?

Because she lost her first two off of a 9 month layoff for a guy who is a statistical deadbeat as a layoff trainer?

If St. Trinians simply broke cleanly in the Vanity - there's no possible way Zenyatta would still be undefeated.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

How exactly is RA an afterthought?

Because she lost her first two off of a 9 month layoff for a guy who is a statistical deadbeat as a layoff trainer?

If St. Trinians simply broke cleanly in the Vanity - there's no possible way Zenyatta would still be undefeated.

Further, after watching the Whitney yesterday, how exactly could Quality Road win any race in which Rachel was entered? If anything he is the afterthought.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Further, after watching the Whitney yesterday, how exactly could Quality Road win any race in which Rachel was entered? If anything he is the afterthought.

I've concocted a crazy theory that the braid bead that was whipping around wildly and kept hitting his eyeball over and over while he was trying to run might have been an explanation for his horrendous performance.

If that isn't the case, he's hopeless.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Further, after watching the Whitney yesterday, how exactly could Quality Road win any race in which Rachel was entered? If anything he is the afterthought.

This is silly. He was flat, one time. I pray he comes back in the Woodward, then everything will be fine again.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

This is silly. He was flat, one time. I pray he comes back in the Woodward, then everything will be fine again.

Silly? He has never proven he wants that far outside of the silly 9f races at GP where speed has a HUGE advantage. Good luck betting him the rest of the year.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Silly? He has never proven he wants that far outside of the silly 9f races at GP where speed has a HUGE advantage. Good luck betting him the rest of the year.

Im not sure I would ever bet him, I mean say he comes back in the Woodward with a few bullets... I would have to assume he would be favored again, no?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Im not sure I would ever bet him, I mean say he comes back in the Woodward with a few bullets... I would have to assume he would be favored again, no?

Not against Blame obviously. Under what circumstances is he ever beating him at 9f or longer?

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

Further, after watching the Whitney yesterday, how exactly could Quality Road win any race in which Rachel was entered? If anything he is the afterthought.

Coming to your senses, I see. Good for you. Let's expand this a bit: QR won't be a factor in the CLASSIC --- if he makes it there. Blame eats his lunch whenever he wants.

Rachel who?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Coming to your senses, I see. Good for you. Let's expand this a bit: QR won't be a factor in the CLASSIC --- if he makes it there. Blame eats his lunch whenever he wants.

Rachel who?

If you follow me, and you do, you know I've never been on the QR bandwagon. His 121 Beyer was a total fraud.

[tiggerv]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

If you follow me, and you do, you know I've never been on the QR bandwagon. His 121 Beyer was a total fraud.

Did you create a figure for yesterday's race yet? Early word was a 111 Beyer for Blame which seems way too high to me.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by tiggerv

Did you create a figure for yesterday's race yet? Early word was a 111 Beyer for Blame which seems way too high to me.

I do Saturday races on Monday, but it seems a little high to me. In any case, it will be a projection by any figure maker as the only route...thanks NYRA.

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

How exactly is RA an afterthought?

Because she lost her first two off of a 9 month layoff for a guy who is a statistical deadbeat as a layoff trainer?

If St. Trinians simply broke cleanly in the Vanity - there's no possible way Zenyatta would still be undefeated.

RA hasn't shown she's the same horse as last year. Blame is the top male in his handicap division at this time. I would be more excited to see a match up in the classic between Zenyatta and Blame than I would be to see Zenyatta and RA in the Distaff. I also think it would be better for the sport and get more publicity if it was the former. Again, it's just my personal opinion.

[robfla]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

I would be more excited to see a match up in the classic between Zenyatta and Blame than I would be to see Zenyatta and RA in the Distaff. I also think it would be better for the sport and get more publicity if it was the former. Again, it's just my personal opinion.

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by robfla

You don't think more casual fans and even non-racing folks would tune in to watch an undefeated female against an undefeated male if the race was promoted well beforehand? Sure RA v. Zenyatta would draw racing fans but I thought the sport wanted to draw new fans.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

You don't think more casual fans and even non-racing folks would tune in to watch an undefeated female against an undefeated male if the race was promoted well beforehand? Sure RA v. Zenyatta would draw racing fans but I thought the sport wanted to draw new fans.

A lot of these supposed new fans won't be impressed when a Volponi type horse jumps up and easily beats both of these overrated horses.

Something as simple as Ramon Dominguez's riding tactics on Haynesfield is all that prevented Musket Man from winning the Whitney yesterday. Which he certainly would have if Haynesfield did all the doggy work - instead of him being forced to come outside of Haynesfield and try to do it.

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

A lot of these supposed new fans won't be impressed when a Volponi type horse jumps up and easily beats both of these overrated horses.

Something as simple as Ramon Dominguez's riding tactics on Haynesfield is all that prevented Musket Man from winning the Whitney yesterday. Which he certainly would have if Haynesfield did all the doggy work - instead of him being forced to come outside of Haynesfield and try to do it.

The classic hasn't been run yet and Blame won the Whitney. Can't change what happened nor predict what will. I won't try.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

RA hasn't shown she's the same horse as last year. Blame is the top male in his handicap division at this time. I would be more excited to see a match up in the classic between Zenyatta and Blame than I would be to see Zenyatta and RA in the Distaff. I also think it would be better for the sport and get more publicity if it was the former. Again, it's just my personal opinion.

Casual fans who do not have much knowledge of the game, they do not care about Blame.

Rachel on the other hand draws the attention of thousands of younger fans...even if they aren't on the track, I believe they are following her, much more than Blame at least.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

Casual fans who do not have much knowledge of the game, they do not care about Blame.

Rachel on the other hand draws the attention of thousands of younger fans...even if they aren't on the track, I believe they are following her, much more than Blame at least.

Enlighten me again why we should be so concerned about casual fans and younger fans?

Unless you aren't a fan of the game you know about Blame. This idea that the "casual" fan is ever going to become a betting fan has been proven to be a myth time and time again. The cold hard truth is that there isn't going to be a game for these younger generation fans to grow to love (or bet on which is the only tangible way to support the sport as a fan) unless the real fans aren't focused on.

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

Casual fans who do not have much knowledge of the game, they do not care about Blame.

Rachel on the other hand draws the attention of thousands of younger fans...even if they aren't on the track, I believe they are following her, much more than Blame at least.

I disagree. My friend was up for the weekend. She follows Trotters more than TBs but she does watch the TC races and the Breeders Cup. She knew who Zenyatta was and she did ask "whatever happened to that filly that won the Preakness last year?". Casual fans don't have TVG or HRTV. They don't have to know Blame's name. The girl v. boy angle would attract more attention I believe.