2/20 (GP): Hutch, Fountain (G2's), Honey Fox, CDN Turf (G3's)

[RolloTomasi]

Ridiculous. The Hutcheson on the same day as the Fountain Of Youth. Looks like GP took a page out of Santa Anita's owner's manual (of course its the same). Why are these tracks intent on dismantling their once logical and organized 3yo stakes?

For those who might care, and this is by no means all-inclusive:

Spectacular Bid, Lord Avie, Swale, Forty Niner, Fly So Free, Holy Bull, Unbridled's Song, Cat Thief, Coronado's Quest, First Samurai, etc. ran in both races back in the day, not to mention the Florida Derby.

I guess the Hutcheson (a Grade 2) is now relegated to prep status for the Grade 3 Swale (another traditional starting point for 3yos a little behind the eight-ball, eg Chief's Crown, Summer Squall, Easy Goer, Favorite Trick, Thirty Six Red, Seeking The Gold).

To complete the trend, maybe Churchill will move the Derby Trial to the first Saturday in May.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

^ Good take as always.

I'm very confused about more than a few of the Fountain of Youth runners. It's one of those Derby preps where you feel foggy going in - but you expert to learn a whole lot after it's done.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Ridiculous. The Hutcheson on the same day as the Fountain Of Youth. Looks like GP took a page out of Santa Anita's owner's manual (of course its the same). Why are these tracks intent on dismantling their once logical and organized 3yo stakes?

For those who might care, and this is by no means all-inclusive:

Spectacular Bid, Lord Avie, Swale, Forty Niner, Fly So Free, Holy Bull, Unbridled's Song, Cat Thief, Coronado's Quest, First Samurai, etc. ran in both races back in the day, not to mention the Florida Derby.

I guess the Hutcheson (a Grade 2) is now relegated to prep status for the Grade 3 Swale (another traditional starting point for 3yos a little behind the eight-ball, eg Chief's Crown, Summer Squall, Easy Goer, Favorite Trick, Thirty Six Red, Seeking The Gold).

To complete the trend, maybe Churchill will move the Derby Trial to the first Saturday in May.

I agree and it all stems from the fact that Gulfstream's new configuration has them completely hamstrung. Last year they ran the Hutcheson and Holy Bull on the same weekend with the HB being a race for horses who were ahead of the curve and ready to go 9fs. The Hutcheson was a prep for the Fountain of Youth, which was run at a mile instead of 1 1/8 miles.

Now the Hutcheson is kind of in no man's land as far as theoretical Derby preps go.

It can't just be a coincidence that the Sam Davis and Tampa Derby gained in popularity after GP re-configured it's main track. The ability to run 8.5 furlongs is pretty big for 3YOs. Just imagine if GP hadn't extended the chute and their longest possible distance was the 7.5 furlongs they originally planned!

NT

[RolloTomasi]

Speaking of Tampa Bay Downs, their derailing of Gulfstream doesn't stop with the 3yo division.

Anyone notice that well-bred BC Mile runner-up Courageous Cat is making his return to the races in the Grade 3 $150,000 8f Canadian Turf, a mere 2 hours after BC Classic runner-up Gio Ponti makes his comeback in the Grade 3 $150,000 8.5f Tampa Bay BC?

We've come a long way since '89 BC Turf winner Prized and '89 BC Mile winner Steinlen made their '90 debuts when locking horns in the Grade 3 8f Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita (Prized ripped the very flat Steinlen a new one in that race).

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Speaking of Tampa Bay Downs, their derailing of Gulfstream doesn't stop with the 3yo division.

Anyone notice that well-bred BC Mile runner-up Courageous Cat is making his return to the races in the Grade 3 $150,000 8f Canadian Turf, a mere 2 hours after BC Classic runner-up Gio Ponti makes his comeback in the Grade 3 $150,000 8.5f Tampa Bay BC?

We've come a long way since '89 BC Turf winner Prized and '89 BC Mile winner Steinlen made their '90 debuts when locking horns in the Grade 3 8f Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita (Prized ripped the very flat Steinlen a new one in that race).

Aren't TB and GP in competition for betting dollars? Or is it revenue sharing like the NFL?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Aren't TB and GP in competition for betting dollars? Or is it revenue sharing like the NFL?

Good point. I was so worried about a mythical Gio Ponti versus Courageous Cat matchup that I didn't see the great TB-GP rivalry staring me in the face.

I wonder if either will be able to beat Hialeah after that one warms up from the long layoff.

[cakes44]

Value is there to be had in all of 'em. Should be a great day.

[tector]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Good point. I was so worried about a mythical Gio Ponti versus Courageous Cat matchup that I didn't see the great TB-GP rivalry staring me in the face.

I wonder if either will be able to beat Hialeah after that one warms up from the long layoff.

Pass the bowl over here, man.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

The Honey Fox is a nice race. Guess this will be the rare day I bet the Gostreak Course.

[VOL JACK]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Good point. I was so worried about a mythical Gio Ponti versus Courageous Cat matchup that I didn't see the great TB-GP rivalry staring me in the face.

I wonder if either will be able to beat Hialeah after that one warms up from the long layoff.

I will play against Courageous Cat with confidence Saturday.
The problem is I don't know who I will rely on...but CC will not win.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

I will play against Courageous Cat with confidence Saturday.
The problem is I don't know who I will rely on...but CC will not win.

Have you seen the rest of the field? He's certainly going to be overbet but I think he looks very, very tough unless they can convince Rahy's Attorney that Gulfstream is actually Woodbine.

NT

[RockHardTen1985]

Im heading Westward to try my luck at the $500 MAX table, wish me luck and everyone have a nice night.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Good point. I was so worried about a mythical Gio Ponti versus Courageous Cat matchup that I didn't see the great TB-GP rivalry staring me in the face.

I wonder if either will be able to beat Hialeah after that one warms up from the long layoff.

I hope Hialeah becomes well Hialeah again.. The turf races this weekend are quite the bore. Other then hoping Quiet Harbor continues to move forward the Spls's look more interesting then the Stakes.