Zaftig to the Cigar Mile?

[King Glorious]

According to the DRF, this race will be under serious consideration for her. Either that race or the Top Flight. Citing that the Top Flight is a grade two and for less money than the grade one Cigar, they are leaning towards the Cigar. They don't seem to be worried about any of the possible competition in the Cigar saying that she's run faster than all of them so if she runs her best race, she wins. All of them except for Commentator, who if he happens to show up, she won't. I would love to see here there.

In related news, John Shirreffs was asked what he thought about the possible move and he said he thought it was galactically stupid, mentioning the names of Ruffian and Eight Belles. When the names Zarkava and Goldikova were brought up, he raised an eyebrow and asked "who are they?"

[Linny]

The Cigar Mile is one of my favorite races and this year it's looking a bit dull, especially with Zito pointing to the Clark with Commentator.
If Zaftig runs it might spice it up a bit.

Of course, I should probably cancel my seating reservation if she runs, because we all know that racing against males makes fillies' legs snap and I hate to see such things.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Linny

Of course, I should probably cancel my seating reservation if she runs, because we all know that racing against males makes fillies' legs snap and I hate to see such things.

The ironic thing is that this filly's leg did already "snap".

Wasn't she out all summer with a fractured shin?

I assume she was already pushed pretty hard to make the BC where she didn't exactly light the world on fire. A start in the Cigar should effectively obliterate any momentum she has heading into her 4yo campaign.

Should have left her in the Fasig-Tipton sale. Maybe somebody with more sense, like Paul Reddam or Frank Stronach, coulda plucked her away from her current connections.

[Linny]

I don't see alot of Reddam's horses winning here in the US and horses like his Great Hunter were not spotted all that well. As far as Zaftig, she did have a fracture but to come back in the BC and run a solid third to Ventura who freaked and IB who is a very nice filly was a big effort. I figure she could bounce sky high but she could move forward as well.
I like Jimmy Jerkens but he trains them hard and either way, she'll have to stand up to a tough regimen.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Linny

I don't see alot of Reddam's horses winning here in the US and horses like his Great Hunter were not spotted all that well.

That part was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek.

As someone else pointed out, the owner is in the driver's seat with this horse and the sheer ridiculousness of suggesting that the Cigar Mile is an "alternative" to the Top Flight shows what this filly is in for in the long run.

The sad part is, if the field does come up light, the filly could conceivably hit the board making her owner look halfway smart for about ten seconds. It would be as tragic as when Island Fashion ran 2nd to Southern Image in the Big Cap a few years back.

[smuthg]

injured and retired... that f'n sucks. I was really looking forward to seeing her in the Cigar Mile.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/99918.html

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

The ironic thing is that this filly's leg did already "snap".

Wasn't she out all summer with a fractured shin?

I assume she was already pushed pretty hard to make the BC where she didn't exactly light the world on fire. A start in the Cigar should effectively obliterate any momentum she has heading into her 4yo campaign.

Should have left her in the Fasig-Tipton sale. Maybe somebody with more sense, like Paul Reddam or Frank Stronach, coulda plucked her away from her current connections.

The story at SA prior to the BC was that Jerkens was not crazy about running her but that the owners wanted to have her and Doremifasollatido both run. Given his history of shipping, it almost seemed as if his hand was forced.

In my opinion, Zaftig ran a terrific race given that Indian Blessing is the best female sprinter around and Ventura ran an incredible race.

The most hilarious part of this thread is that John Shirreffs continues to get blasted. Of all the people in this sport who cannot only be questioned but chastised, he gets it. Amazing.

NT

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

In my opinion, Zaftig ran a terrific race given that Indian Blessing is the best female sprinter around and Ventura ran an incredible race.

NT

IB is the best female sprinter around when she's running on tracks where speed holds. On anything approximating a FAIR situation, Ventura (or some filly like her) bends her over every time.

Ventura's run the third split was every bit as impressive as Goldikova's (who actually sat a picture perfect trip) YET the latter is a freak and IB is getting all the press. Only in the land of figures does **** like this happen.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

IB is the best female sprinter around when she's running on tracks where speed holds. On anything approximating a FAIR situation, Ventura (or some filly like her) bends her over every time.

Ventura's run the third split was every bit as impressive as Goldikova's (who actually sat a picture perfect trip) YET the latter is a freak and IB is getting all the press. Only in the land of figures does **** like this happen.

High Beyer figures or not, Indian Blessing was the best female sprinter in the country this year. On the most important day she lost to Ventura, who ran a remarkable race. I don't think that takes anything away from Indian Blessing, who prefers conventional dirt.

The bottom line, and the origin of the discussion is that Zaftig, off a long layoff, ran a very strong race to finish 3rd.

NT