7/23-24 (SAR): CCA Oaks (G1); Caress

[10 pnt move up]

After looking at this race I really feel like Salty may be pretty tough.

She should get the jump on her only real rival and for some reason I just dont see Baffert being fully cranked when an Alabama win surely seals the 3yo filly division.

Just feels like a two horse race, one horse has the pace advantage and a better price so I would weight most of a multi race play that way.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

After looking at this race I really feel like Salty may be pretty tough.

She should get the jump on her only real rival and for some reason I just dont see Baffert being fully cranked when an Alabama win surely seals the 3yo filly division.

Just feels like a two horse race, one horse has the pace advantage and a better price so I would weight most of a multi race play that way.

Watching the replay of the Acorn, it was Abel Tasman who got the jump on Salty. Abel Tasman was literally "bounding along" after the first 1/4 mile and accelerated dramatically when asked.

Salty, on the other hand, seems like a horse that takes her time getting in gear.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Watching the replay of the Acorn, it was Abel Tasman who got the jump on Salty. Abel Tasman was literally "bounding along" after the first 1/4 mile and accelerated dramatically when asked.

Salty, on the other hand, seems like a horse that takes her time getting in gear.

that is true

and while there is no reason I wouldnt mind seeing Abel Tasman run on the turf, she has that burst.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

and while there is no reason I wouldnt mind seeing Abel Tasman run on the turf, she has that burst.

I think Quality Road's first Grade 1 winner was Hootenanny who won the BC Juvenile Turf a few years ago. Either way, Quality Road might pull off a monumental sire performance if he can get the exacta in the Acorn, CCA Oaks, and Alabama with these two fillies.

Back to the CCA Oaks, you may be on to something with Salty. She was very resolute in the stretch in the Acorn, driving all the way to the wire. In the Gulfstream Park Oaks, she uncorked a sustained rally from about as early as the 1/2 mile pole and yet continued to pour it on in the stretch.

Granted, that was against weaker, but considering that in this race she has a furlong more to work with than the Acorn, perhaps that is a tick in her favor despite Abel Tasman's KY Oaks win at the distance. Earlier, I said Abel Tasman was short in the Santa Ysabel, but there's also the chance that she might "wait" on horses. That could have been the reason for Smith recommending the addition of blinkers after the SA Oaks.

[10 pnt move up]

The bad : I bet Weather Wiz off that strong looking mdn and for a reason I dont quite understand the rider took him off the rail, took back, with a one paced horse and never could get by the winner, who also looked one paced.

The good : I bet the winner of the mdn race back in the 4th and the horse aired. damn mind game this sport is.

[RHT2004]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

The bad : I bet Weather Wiz off that strong looking mdn and for a reason I dont quite understand the rider took him off the rail, took back, with a one paced horse and never could get by the winner, who also looked one paced.

The good : I bet the winner of the mdn race back in the 4th and the horse aired. damn mind game this sport is.

Elate will be tough today.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

Elate will be tough today.

funny

I was a bit against the big fundamental in this spot but with the track he is going to be pretty tough.