La Troienne discussion

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

I've used words like mule, goat and rat before when describing some horses comp … but never "german shepard".

Euros

[Smooth Operator]

[Merlinsky]

Once again, listening to ATR brings sense to the cacophonous noise that is the Rachel/Zenyatta conversation. Thanks, Steve. I'd be surprised if that was Calvin's decision which was thrown out there as a possibility. I still feel like it's Asmussen.

[ateamstupid]

No excuses here, she should've put that filly away even if UB did get the jump on her.

As for the ride, I think the connections might've been a little paranoid about chasing fast fractions like she did in New Orleans. There appeared to be a lot of speed on paper today, but it just didn't materialize. Still, whatever the plans were, Calvin should've realized how slow they were going and just let her roll.

[letswastemoney]

I was just reading the Crist blog and he brought up a good point. Which brings me to this question.

Question:

If Rachel and Unrivaled Belle ran something in the 105 beyer figure range, are people still going to say Rachel is not as good as last year?

It's not unreasonable to think that Unrivaled Belle just improved.

[DaTruth]

Final time for the race was 2/5ths faster than Arson Squad's winning time in the Alysheba.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Final time for the race was 2/5ths faster than Arson Squad's winning time in the Alysheba.

And? Arson Squad is a rat. As a matter of fact, every horse in that race was bad. Flying private in the exacta?

[Merlinsky]

Uh oh, according to Tim Layden from SI, Jess was asked about Calvin's future on Rachel and he said "That's not decided." I was afraid of that.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

And? Arson Squad is a rat. As a matter of fact, every horse in that race was bad. Flying private in the exacta?

The Alysheba has had some bad fields the last few years. Remember Giant Gizmo?

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

The Alysheba has had some bad fields the last few years. Remember Giant Gizmo?

I wonder if the connections of chocolate candy are going to give up on the dirt thing with this horse. He just doesnt seem to enjoy it. Or am I looking to deep into these double digit thrashings?

I threw the first three out and still couldnt land on the winner.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

And? Arson Squad is a rat. As a matter of fact, every horse in that race was bad. Flying private in the exacta?

A rat compared to....???

It is grade 3 level older horses. They arent stars but a good fig comparison to a similar filly and mare race at the same distance.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

As a matter of fact, every horse in that race was bad. Flying private in the exacta?

Speaking of Lukas horses, did Be Fair improve off her third in the Apple Blossom?

With the beat today at the hands of a 9-1 does she now call it a career and head to the breeding shed. I witnessed her Woodward and felt she left it all on the track that day. They usually never come back after hitting bottom like that..... great filly for 09 to remember but do NOT want to remember her as one that raced past per her time...Puhlllezzz Mr. Jackson retire the filly and move on...


Scat OUT

[2Hot4TV]

When you race the Triple Crown trail you must pay the toll. We seen it happen with alot of good 3 yo's

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

Give a different rider a chance.

PLEASE?????????????????????????

[philcski]

Originally Posted by CSC

Why should Rachel retire? She has been competitive in 2 races this year losing by no more than a combined length. I'm sure the numbers guys will tell us she will beyer better than the 100 she got in the N.O Ladies and that would put her in the 107 range of the Woodward, so what's wrong with that? Unless people's opinions of her were so sky high to begin with, then maybe it is a big surprise then. She lost to a very good filly and Rachel ran a good race give both some credit.

She won't get a 107.

I think Blind Luck went backwards a few points from her OP Fantasy race. Not a stretch to assume that given it's hard for 3YO fillies to repeat that kind of performance. If you assign her a 100, Rachel/Unrivaled Belle get a 102, and the Alysheba gets a 99.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Smooth Operator

You are showing a character flaw.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by philcski

She won't get a 107.

I think Blind Luck went backwards a few points from her OP Fantasy race. Not a stretch to assume that given it's hard for 3YO fillies to repeat that kind of performance. If you assign her a 100, Rachel/Unrivaled Belle get a 102, and the Alysheba gets a 99.

It's also understandable considering the traffic she had to overcome to pass 13 horses.

If they retire her it would be a mistake. The main track was hmm awkward.

[dalakhani]

Im not understanding how people are blaming the rider here. What did he do wrong? He sat right off a relatively slow pace and pounced around the turn. What was he supposed to do? She didnt get checked or have any traffic problems and he didnt get her into any kind of duel.

Calvin did his job. If she was good enough today, she wins. She wasn't good enough today.