132nd Preakness Stakes Field

[letswastemoney]

no more 50-1 on Sedgefield I guess

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by nomad

!!!!!

Why does it say Sam Houston under my handle now?

The race track changes as you post more...just a fun thing by the mods!

Originally Posted by timmgirvan

The race track changes as you post more...just a fun thing by the mods!

Fun? NOt when you're saddled with Cahokia downs. Glad that one disappeared almost as soon as I got it.

[Bigsmc]

Matz now hedging with Chelokee. Says he may go in the Barbaro instead.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38828

[tycharles01]

Why dont they give CQ a shot at the Preakness?? He did not run a bad race, if Johnny V makes a move 15 sec earlier you are looking at a nice 3rd place finish.

Plus the shorter distance helps too

[Skip away]

You can take Curlin out of the Preakness. He is being rested for the Belmont, where he will try to deny a triple crown winner glory. Maybe Bailey will come out of retirement and ride?
Also being pointed for the Belmont is the Oaks winner Rags to Riches. She has 3 grade 1's under her belt and Todd feels he has the eclipse already locked up. Wouldnt it be something if Todd's 1st Triple Crown winner is a chick?

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by Skip away

Also being pointed for the Belmont is the Oaks winner Rags to Riches. She has 3 grade 1's under her belt and Todd feels he has the eclipse already locked up. Wouldnt it be something if Todd's 1st Triple Crown winner is a chick?

Is that true?
Wow....that's pretty ambitious. Kind of sad if he realized that none of his colts would be competitive at the belmont distance, and Rags would be his best chance.
In retrospect, it would have been nice to see her in the Santa Anita derby, to gauge her against the boys there. I'm sure she would have probably beaten Tiago fairly easily.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by lemoncrush

In retrospect, it would have been nice to see her in the Santa Anita derby, to gauge her against the boys there. I'm sure she would have probably beaten Tiago fairly easily.

That's the problem when they only run them a few times in their classic preparation. Genuine Risk tried the Wood Memorial to see if she belonged, and Winning Colors tried the SA Derby AFTER winning the SA Oaks (aka Santa Susana S).

[Skip away]

Yes its true. Rags came out of her race very well and she wasnt hard used at all. She is still a very fresh horse and will be tough as nails in the Belmont. I susupect she will be the 3rd betting choice behind SS and Curlin. Should be the best race out of the 3. Todd will bring her to Belmont to begin preparations next week.

[miraja2]

She is certaintly talented, and her sire makes you think that 12f wouldn't be out of the question, but the move doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Why make her first time against the boys a G1 classsic going 12f?
To me, Sam P would seem like a good Pletcher Belmont horse. He is bred to run all day, he ran decently (ninth) in the Derby, and he is the sort of one-speed plodder that sometimes does well in the Belmont.
In fact, he is similar to a horse like Birdstone in a lot of ways, although Birdstone was probably a bit more talented.

[Skip away]

Todd feels he could have been tough in the Derby. He is going to see how she stacks up against this year's males and if its a mess, she simply points towards the Alabama. She already won 3 grade 1's against the women. Its a good move. Sam P may still run in the Belmont. Different owners.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by miraja2

She is certaintly talented, and her sire makes you think that 12f wouldn't be out of the question, but the move doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Why make her first time against the boys a G1 classsic going 12f?
To me, Sam P would seem like a good Pletcher Belmont horse. He is bred to run all day, he ran decently (ninth) in the Derby, and he is the sort of one-speed plodder that sometimes does well in the Belmont.
In fact, he is similar to a horse like Birdstone in a lot of ways, although Birdstone was probably a bit more talented.

I think Any Given Saturday would be a better fit for the Belmont than Sam P.

I also like the move of Rags to Riches to the Belmont.. Why should he try her anywhere else against the boys? She may be better right now than any of his five Derby horses, she's bred and runs like 12 furlongs won't be an issue, and the Belmont isn't going to be stacked with monsters. Where else would you like him to go with her?

[miraja2]

It certaintly is not a completely outrageous move or anything. She is a good filly.
I guess that to me it would make the most sense to give her about the same campaign Ashado got in '04. 12f against the boys is a tall order, but I guess it really makes sense to wait and see how the race comes up in terms of difficulty, because you never know what could happen. If the field turns up anything like last year's running of the Belmont, I guess it would make sense to go. If on the other hand, Street Sense, Hard Spun, Curlin etc. are all there (as they are expected to be) I think it would make the most sense for them to skip the race.
As a fan of the sport and a bettor though....I would love to see her in.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by miraja2

It certaintly is not a completely outrageous move or anything. She is a good filly.
I guess that to me it would make the most sense to give her about the same campaign Ashado got in '04. 12f against the boys is a tall order, but I guess it really makes sense to wait and see how the race comes up in terms of difficulty, because you never know what could happen. If the field turns up anything like last year's running of the Belmont, I guess it would make sense to go. If on the other hand, Street Sense, Hard Spun, Curlin etc. are all there (as they are expected to be) I think it would make the most sense for them to skip the race.
As a fan of the sport and a bettor though....I would love to see her in.

Even if the three you mentioned go, what kind of shape will they be in after the Derby and Preakness to face a very talented filly with a 12-furlong pedigree and fresh legs?

I think it's a win-win move for Pletcher. If she wins, she gets him off the TC schneid and gives him major points for getting a filly to the winner's circle in a TC race. She also increases her broodmare value a significant amount with a victory. If she loses, her value doesn't go down much if at all, and no one really blames Pletcher for taking a shot. He regroups and sends her to 'Toga for the Alabama, where she'll be tough.

[Skip away]

ateamstupid is right. the time is now, not in October against older males. The distance wont be what beats her if she loses. I doubt very much her race is won or lost in those extra 2F. She is clearly better than any of the Pletcher colts, but Todd knew that going into the Derby. WHo can blame him for taking the sure thing and winning the Oaks, wrapping up her eclipse. This guy didnt get to be the best trainer ever by picking the wrong spots for his horses.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Skip away

ateamstupid is right. the time is now, not in October against older males. The distance wont be what beats her if she loses. I doubt very much her race is won or lost in those extra 2F. She is clearly better than any of the Pletcher colts, but Todd knew that going into the Derby. WHo can blame him for taking the sure thing and winning the Oaks, wrapping up her eclipse. This guy didnt get to be the best trainer ever by picking the wrong spots for his horses.

The guy is good, but I don't know if I would hand him that title at this point.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Skip away

I would.

Well then you would be wrong.
Just out of curiosity, what criteria did you use to reach this conclusion?

[Skip away]

I dunno, all the cash hes earned and all those grade 1's hes wins every year, all those days when he won like 4-5 races, BC wins, dominance of 2 year olds every year at Saratoga and Belmont. and did I mention hes devilishly handsome. I met him on BC day and my knees wobbled. What a gorgeous man.

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Skip away

I dunno, all the cash hes earned and all those grade 1's hes wins every year, all those days when he won like 4-5 races, BC wins, dominance of 2 year olds every year at Saratoga and Belmont. and did I mention hes devilishly handsome. I met him on BC day and my knees wobbled. What a gorgeous man.

Right. He is a good trainer. And maybe SOMEDAY he will be considered the best ever if he keeps this up. But right now he isn't even close.
Let's take DWL for just one example.
Compare how many times DWL led the nation in earnings and compare it to the number of times TP has led the nation in earnings.
Compare how many TC races DWL has won to the number that TP has won. etc. etc.
TP is certainly better than DWL RIGHT NOW, but for all-time greatest it isn't even close. And DWL is just one of MANY that would rank in front of Pletcher.
The guy is a very good trainer, but don't say he is the best ever. You just make yourself look foolish by doing that.
Okay we have used up enough space on this.....let's get back to the Preakness field.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Skip away

I dunno, all the cash hes earned and all those grade 1's hes wins every year, all those days when he won like 4-5 races, BC wins, dominance of 2 year olds every year at Saratoga and Belmont. and did I mention hes devilishly handsome. I met him on BC day and my knees wobbled. What a gorgeous man.

If you like him, I should introduce you to my friend, Travis... he looks just like him only he's got dark hair.

I think TP is a good looking guy too... very serious with gorgeous eyes.