1/5: (AQU) Count Fleet

[pmacdaddy]

Tough race for me to have a single stand out. I will be using everyone except Run with Me and Atta Boy at some level in pk4.

Other than that, just gonna watch and see who steps up.

[miraja2]

I agree about Roman Emperor. That colt is seriously bred to run all day, and the addition of blinkers seems to have helped.
If he goes off at close to his 4/1 ML, I think he is the best play here.

[Bobby Fischer]

Barrier Reef caught my eye a little bit.
He may just be starting to peak.
It could be tough to beat Dominguez here on Giant Moon if no one challenges his lead. Red Reef and/or Spanky Fischbein could be key rivals to the pace. Luzzi will sometimes attempt a mini-duel on the backstretch to establish the lead which would help the Darley colt.

all that said, I would also love to see Roman Emperor impress with a "prime time" performance.

[ArlJim78]

nice competitive race that I could see going several ways. Roman Emperor and Run With Me look interesting. just going to watch it.

[blackthroatedwind]

If there was an odds line on which horse in this race will win a Grade 1 somewhere down the road then Barrier Reef would be 1:9. He may not win today, and he obviously may not prove a terrific horse, but there is also a very good chance he goes on to be an excellent racehorse. Anybody that hasn't seen his last race owes it to themselves to watch it.

Personally, I think he will be hard to beat today.

[PSH]

Thanks for the heads up Andy. Came from the clouds and never thought he was going to get to the winner until he hits another gear and blows by him. Garcia on him today is worrisome but if there is enough pace and the track is playing fairly it would be hard not to like this Mizzen Mast colt.

PSH

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by PSH

Thanks for the heads up Andy. Came from the clouds and never thought he was going to get to the winner until he hits another gear and blows by him. Garcia on him today is worrisome but if there is enough pace and the track is playing fairly it would be hard not to like this Mizzen Mast colt.

PSH

Yeah, it seems fair so far, but two turn races can be tricky.

He was green as could be and got himself in a ton of trouble, and still made the huge run. He could have a big future. I bet he ends up in Florida after today. Anywhere but Dubai.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

If there was an odds line on which horse in this race will win a Grade 1 somewhere down the road then Barrier Reef would be 1:9. He may not win today, and he obviously may not prove a terrific horse, but there is also a very good chance he goes on to be an excellent racehorse. Anybody that hasn't seen his last race owes it to themselves to watch it.

Personally, I think he will be hard to beat today.

I don't see it.
I don't think there will be enough pace for him to get it done today, and while his last race was certainly a nice one, I am more impressed with both of Roman Emperor's last two starts.
The fact that Barrier Reef has demonstrated absolutely nothing in the mornings since his last start (or ever, for that matter) doesn't seem to indicate that he has progressed much since then. Despite his impressive off-the-pace score last time, I don't think the extra distance of today's race (although relatively minor) helps him at all.
I am thinking of playing Roman Emperor to win, and boxing him in an exacta with Giant Moon.

[KY_Sasquash]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

If there was an odds line on which horse in this race will win a Grade 1 somewhere down the road then Barrier Reef would be 1:9. He may not win today, and he obviously may not prove a terrific horse, but there is also a very good chance he goes on to be an excellent racehorse. Anybody that hasn't seen his last race owes it to themselves to watch it.

Personally, I think he will be hard to beat today.

Totally agree. That last race was amazing to me. never seen anything like it before. I, too, hope that he ends up in Florida, but we all are aware that there's a good chance he'll be heading to Dubai if he runs well today

[trifecta124]

I am going to single Roman Emperor in a late Pick 3. I think the speed between Spanky & Giant Moon will open the door for RE to close well.

Here is my small late Pick 3 ticket:

7th: 3,6,7,8
8th: 6
9th: 1,2,3,4,5

$20 on a buck

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by KY_Sasquash

Totally agree. That last race was amazing to me. never seen anything like it before.

I remember him blowing the turn and making a nice rally to win it in the stretch, but I guess I was less impressed than you and blackthroatedwind. It was a very nice race, but he is taking a very big step up in class here. He could certainly win it, but others seem more likely to me.