The Straight Deal

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I don't know if anyone remembers all the details surrounding this turf stake run at Belmont Park a month ago...but it was a very interesting race.

The $65,000 Straight Deal was run through INCREIDBLY slow fractions and featured an explosive final quarter mile.

The first six furlongs of this one mile race was run in just 1:12.26. To give you an idea how slow that was, a NY Bred MSW race run an hour later at the same distance, featured a 1:11.14 six furlong clocking. Almost six and a half lengths faster. And in that NY Bred MSW race, the pace held up tremendously well...the 8/1 winner stalked the 40/1 pacesetter from 2nd. Horses racing in the top four positions after six furlongs, ended up nailing down the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th positions under the wire.

In other words, the closers in the Straight Deal are at a giant disadvantage. However, they ran tremendously well.

In the six horse field, the top two finishers (Strike A Deal and Summer Doldrums) raced 3rd and 4th respectively after the first six furlongs, albeit both just shadowing the two leaders, and they surged away from the field through the rapid final quarter mile.

Such an extreme slow early-fast late race shape, can really benefit horses who are looking to make a big stertch-out. And these top two finishers once again dominated, this time in a $750,000 stake at Colonial over the weekend. They had no problem at all with the stretchout from 8 furlongs-to 9.5 furlongs.

The horse most compromised by the pace in the Straight Deal stakes, Le Dauphin, was dead last after six furlongs and rallied impressively to run a sneaky good race.

He'd won his only career start on dirt as a 2yo in very sneaky good fashion, was bred to handle dirt, was training well over it, and Bill Mott decided to run him on it yesterday.

Off that race last out, you had to know you would see an electrifying performance through the very late stages of the 8.5 furlong race from Le Dauphin.

After being put into the race, and getting a nice trip, the 14/1 shot cut loose with a 6.11 final 1/16th of a mile, inspite of fighting the rider and trying to get out, while drifting out through the very, very late stages. Jockey Kent Desermoux was never able to ride him the way you'd want, and use left handed whipping, because the horse wanted to get out so badly.

It was a sad day for backers of Le Dauphin though, as the chronic hanger who was far and away most likely to run 2nd in the race was put up.

Nevermind that he had a clear path through the stretch, which was never taken. Nevermind that the only contact was a light brush five yards before the wire. Nevermind that no semi-reasonable person believes Shug's hanger was going to run a 5 and change final 1/16th to get up.

Even when highly incompetent stewards steal a 14/1 winner, and all the nice exotics to boot, away from you....at least you still get the satisfaction of knowing you made a few good reads, on both the Straight Deal stakes and Le Dauphin.

[blackthroatedwind]

You really need help.

And I should know.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I don't know if anyone remembers all the details surrounding this turf stake run at Belmont Park a month ago...but it was a very interesting race.

The $65,000 Straight Deal was run through INCREIDBLY slow fractions and featured an explosive final quarter mile.

The first six furlongs of this one mile race was run in just 1:12.26. To give you an idea how slow that was, a NY Bred MSW race run an hour later at the same distance, featured a 1:11.14 six furlong clocking. Almost six and a half lengths faster. And in that NY Bred MSW race, the pace held up tremendously well...the 8/1 winner stalked the 40/1 pacesetter from 2nd. Horses racing in the top four positions after six furlongs, ended up nailing down the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th positions under the wire.

In other words, the closers in the Straight Deal are at a giant disadvantage. However, they ran tremendously well.

In the six horse field, the top two finishers (Strike A Deal and Summer Doldrums) raced 3rd and 4th respectively after the first six furlongs, albeit both just shadowing the two leaders, and they surged away from the field through the rapid final quarter mile.

Such an extreme slow early-fast late race shape, can really benefit horses who are looking to make a big stertch-out. And these top two finishers once again dominated, this time in a $750,000 stake at Colonial over the weekend. They had no problem at all with the stretchout from 8 furlongs-to 9.5 furlongs.

The horse most compromised by the pace in the Straight Deal stakes, Le Dauphin, was dead last after six furlongs and rallied impressively to run a sneaky good race.

He'd won his only career start on dirt as a 2yo in very sneaky good fashion, was bred to handle dirt, was training well over it, and Bill Mott decided to run him on it yesterday.

Off that race last out, you had to know you would see an electrifying performance through the very late stages of the 8.5 furlong race from Le Dauphin.

After being put into the race, and getting a nice trip, the 14/1 shot cut loose with a 6.11 final 1/16th of a mile, inspite of fighting the rider and trying to get out, while drifting out through the very, very late stages. Jockey Kent Desermoux was never able to ride him the way you'd want, and use left handed whipping, because the horse wanted to get out so badly.

It was a sad day for backers of Le Dauphin though, as the chronic hanger who was far and away most likely to run 2nd in the race was put up.

Nevermind that he had a clear path through the stretch, which was never taken. Nevermind that the only contact was a light brush five yards before the wire. Nevermind that no semi-reasonable person believes Shug's hanger was going to run a 5 and change final 1/16th to get up.

Even when highly incompetent stewards steal a 14/1 winner, and all the nice exotics to boot, away from you....at least you still get the satisfaction of knowing you made a few good reads, on both the Straight Deal stakes and Le Dauphin.

I did not see the race but the effort you put in to following this horse and backing him is admirable. The read is very interesting in itself because it gives good insight into how you came to back a 14-1 shot that almost won.

[The Bid]

It was brutal. The contact was so close the wire they shouldnt have made the DQ

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by pgardn

I did not see the race but the effort you put in to following this horse and backing him is admirable. The read is very interesting in itself because it gives good insight into how you came to back a 14-1 shot that almost won.

Bad beat, DEFINITELY, especially as the horse crossed the wire first

'admirable', hardly

there's your raceshape/pace

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Bad beat, DEFINITELY, especially as the horse crossed the wire first

'admirable', hardly

there's your raceshape/pace

Drugs effort in spotting the horse was not admirable?

[Mortimer]

Is there an echo in here?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by The Bid

It was brutal. The contact was so close the wire they shouldnt have made the DQ

Needless to say, I agree.

I was shocked, but there are actually some people who agreed with that call. They need help. I should know.

Originally Posted by mortimerdexterfoxworthy

Is there an echo in here?

So maybe you can explain to me why Drugs did a poor job in spotting the horse Morty, cause I dont get it?

[The Bid]

I bet the horse too. I was furious when they hadnt announced no change quickly. At that point I knew I was in store for a kick in the balls. It was a chickenshit DQ. Its hard enough to catch a price with all the sharp players, and handicapping material, certainly frustrating when you get taken down in a situation like that

[Mortimer]

How does echo claiming refute DrugS?





Someone doesn't understand wave propogation.

[Mortimer]

But actually....now I do refute him.


I do I do I do.

[10 pnt move up]

Wretched call, just horrible. I feel like its horse racing not tiddly winks, if the rider does not fall of its not a foul. The Shug horse was going to run on by but Kent did the right thing to win. Bad Call

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Drugs effort in spotting the horse was not admirable?

Cause DrugS, as a 'pro', is supposed to spot this horse. The effort involved is more workmanlike than admirable. Not a knock on the effort.

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Cause DrugS, as a 'pro', is supposed to spot this horse. The effort involved is more workmanlike than admirable. Not a knock on the effort.

Apologize morton, you hurt my feelings.

[Mortimer]

I apologize.



It is never my intention to hurt anyones feelings because God knows everyone hurts mine.

But being a throwaway ...I can take it.

Originally Posted by mortimerdexterfoxworthy

I apologize.



It is never my intention to hurt anyones feelings because God knows everyone hurts mine.

But being a throwaway ...I can take it.

Morton you do not need to apologize.
Do what you do best...
You are a force.
Im waving the white flag.
I surrender.

[Mortimer]

Well I still apologize.


But you people can never prove to me you KNOW the speed of light.

I know the m&m boys in Cleveland claim they did have a hand in that,but I still don't believe it.

[Linny]

Doldrums should have won the Straight Deal. Coa put away the stick and tried to gallop on by a proven stakes winner on grass and he got nosed. The two (Doldrums and Strike a Deal) proved how close they are w/a nose finish at Colonial last week.

[Bobby Fischer]

the other one from the straight deal runs tomorrow in Canada