Posted on 06/01/2006 6:30:15 AM PDT by gate2wire
It seems that Bob and John and Sweetnorthernsaint have been circling one another all spring, but only once have their paths crossed, and neither had much to show for it. Both disappointed in the Kentucky Derby, but then Sweetnorthernsaint went on to the Preakness Stakes, while Bob and John returned to California to await the final leg of the Triple Crown, the June 10 Belmont Stakes. On Wednesday, they continued on divergent paths. Sweetnorthernsaint was officially removed from consideration for the Belmont, meaning no 3-year-old will compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown this year. Bob and John, however, signaled his readiness for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont with a swift, best-of-the-morning drill at Santa Anita.
(Excerpt) Read more at drf.com ...
I haven't looked at the fractions yet.
But I did get the exacta ($50.60 on $2 at Tradesports).
Had Bandini/Silver Train, Silver Train/Sun King.
Rationale was that Prado *wanted* a win, and ST was in his up cycle.
SK also was in an up cycle and back with his jock Bejarano.
Bandini surprised me a bit, he had great numbers everywhere, but never with Gomez as a jock (always Velazquez before). The jock change made me wonder if they weren't planning to run him differently or "save" him for another upcoming race (the Stakes?), so just get him in the money.
Also had the above in various w/p/s positions, but the payouts weren't that great.
As you might guess, I did enjoy that race.
Yeah, it would be nice if they actually mentioned the Stakes in one of those many many stories. But the MSM is unfamiliar with the word "context".
Even worse: dream race in home state with a local owners, and no one cared.
I did feel bad for them. What a bummer to have such a bad day be 'your day' in the sun.
It's a little early to handicap this race, but at the moment, doesn't look like much speed. You know everyone will be betting the big closers.
High Finance looks awfully interesting.
Right, the speed isn't there, which is one reason the SNS withdrawl is surprising (also bolstering Beyers' point that it's about the purse).
Anyway, closers: Steppenwolfer, Jazil, Sacred Light, Sunriver, Cause to Believe.
Check this out. Pretty cool.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=64160&subsec=1
Interesing link above, about the shoe Barbaro is wearing on the ~good~ foot. Implicit in the article is the difficulty in picking up that foot long enough to remove it to check for signs of laminitis. They have to wait till he's on the sling for the next cast and bandage change.
Look how far back it's set.
Also there's another bout between Steppenwolfer and Jazil, maybe not to win, but somewhere in the money.
Don't ignore the J. Jerkens horse, Oh So Awesome.
"Look how far back it's set."
Maybe to redistribute the weight to the back of the hoof. better stated, because Barbaro wants to put more weight on the back of the hoof?
I'm sorry but I'm confused. Of what are you guys speaking?
The owners of Sweetnorthernsaint. The horse that won, while all eyes were on Barbaro. To win the Preakness is a dream come true, but it was pretty anticlimactic, probably, because few even wanted to interview them. All eyes were on Barbaro. Not that we're wrong for that.
He finished 2nd.
Um, BERNARDINI won the Preakness.
The current 'trend' or 'fad' in horse shoeing is a shoe that is set that far back, that it eases the breakover to the next stride by allowing the toe to roll forward sooner. Of course, he's not moving enough now to worry about that, but I saw a similarity in where they set it, and pinged a few of the saddle club ladies that are into shoeing discussion :~D.
And weight on the heels and off the toes would indeed bring relief to a horse that was suffering any hint of laminitis. If you've ever seen horses suffering from laminitis, or founder, you'll find that they stand with their feet way out in front, like they are trying to get all weight off the toe.
BTW, after the way that horse pulled up (leg clearly skipping), I myself had little interest in the race itself. I barely knew who was winning.
Doh! - Thanks. See, it was so uncelebrated a win I can't even keep it straight. (hides face)
Agreed. I'm sure it was a test of will for the cameramen to stay on the race.
Won't this make it easier to clip heels?
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