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#101
05-31-2007, 05:45 PM
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IMO, Larry Jones wasn't being a "straight-shooter" with some of the things he'd said after the Southwest Stakes with Hard Spun. I realize he trains for an owner who seems like a pest, and he's not a "big name" trainer---but, that wasn't straight-talk coming out of LJ's mouth. He may have "cowboy" as his nickname...and may try to act like he's not the sharpest tool in the shed...but I've heard other quotes from him that suggest to me that he has a racing IQ above the average trainer. To Asmussen's credit....he's stayed the course with Curlin. He didn't go out of his way to make a case that his horse ran as well as Street Sense in the Derby inspite of the 8 length margin of defeat---and believe me, it wouldn't have been hard to make that case. And, he was also the only trainer who took the heat and allowed HBO's Real Sports to interview him in the story they did about top trainers and their bad tests. While Nafzger may not win any awards for "best sport" --- I'm sure he's doing only what he believes is right by the horse...and how much can you really fault him for that? 
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#102
05-31-2007, 05:55 PM
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The moment that Curlin crossed the wire first in the Preakness I assumed that Street Sense would not run in the Belmont. Without a TC on the line, sporting or not it just doesn't seem like a race that you just have to attend at all costs.
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#104
05-31-2007, 06:04 PM
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How old are guys like Asmussen and Jones and Pletcher? I ask because, for them, maybe the Belmont is not as important as it might be for some of the older guys. I remember back in the early days of the BC. My favorite horse was Java Gold. I remember how his people (Paul Mellon and Mack Miller) were more interested in winning the JCGC than the BC. The BC wasn't even in the plans until he lost the JCGC and they knew they needed the Classic to get HOY. Same thing even in 2003 with Mineshaft. Will Farish was content to point Mineshaft to the JCGC and never was interested in going to the BC with him. For some, winning a grade one at Saratoga with a $100k purse is more important to them than winning a grade one somewhere else with a $500k purse while for others, winning a $500k purse in a grade three might be more important. So there are different outlooks on what's important. I don't know what Nafzger and the owner's backgrounds are so I couldn't say but obviously the Travers is very important to them, moreso than the Belmont, and they are doing what they think is best to get them to that race. I think about Harry Aleo and Lost in the Fog. He said once that he got more enjoyment watching Fog win at home, where he and all of his friends could watch him than he did in the bigger races on the road. I think about a guy like John Mabee, who would probably rather win the Pacific Classic than any other race in the country because it's at his home. I think about how Ron McAnally was specifically looking for a horse for the Craigs that could win them a Pacific Classic. Different people have different ideas on what's most important so for that reason, I don't have any issue with Tafel deciding what he did.
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The real horses of the year (1986-2020) Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine
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#106
05-31-2007, 06:41 PM
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#107
05-31-2007, 06:48 PM
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I've been back and forth since the Preakness about what the final decision should be. As a traditionalist, natural competitor and recent "jumper" on the Street Sense bandwagon I wanted him to go. However as a realist, I agree with the decision. I hope nothing "goofy" happens over the next few months that would change Nafgers plans with SS. I haven't been to the Travers in several years, but if he goes I'm there. Let's face it no matter who runs in the Belmont....Will we watch? Yes Will we have Belmont parties? Most of Us....Will we bet the Shiat out of the undercard...Yep.....Will there be a Triple Crown winner this year? Nope.....Have we had some entertaining, informative, interesting debate along the way? You betcha....Let's line them all up on June 9th and have a great time!!
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#108
05-31-2007, 07:07 PM
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I'm hoping everyone expecting a big, fabulous Travers party gets their wish.
The thing is: We know the horse is racing-fit right now. And we know his two main competitors are pointing towards the Belmont. We don't have any idea if all of these things will be true in three months.
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#109
05-31-2007, 07:11 PM
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He doesn't want this horse facing Curlin going 1 1/2 miles at Belmont. Whatever else comes into play, be it tradition, race strategy for the rest of year, etc. the last thing this horse needs right now is a sound thrashing. He knows that. He'd run otherwise.
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#110
05-31-2007, 07:13 PM
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#111
05-31-2007, 07:14 PM
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#112
05-31-2007, 07:14 PM
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i'm still disappointed...not surprised, but disappointed. just don't think their fall campaign will be much, a race or two and the bcc. i'm not thrilled with a horse running probably three more times ever. oh hell... and thanks for saying i'm one of your faves! you're one of mine as well....but of course no guarantee we'll always agree.
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Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. Abraham Lincoln
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#113
05-31-2007, 07:17 PM
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er..... 
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Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. Abraham Lincoln
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#114
05-31-2007, 07:20 PM
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no doubt all of the major players are putting out feelers tho.
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Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. Abraham Lincoln
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#115
05-31-2007, 07:27 PM
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Of course, the above assumes that he gets his usual good setup and clear trip. They can spin this any way they want and it can be interpreted any number of ways. Nafzger's been around long enough to know when he's overmatched.
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#116
05-31-2007, 07:30 PM
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#117
05-31-2007, 07:32 PM
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“Knowing the offers that are coming in on this horse, which I don’t know the details of, but I know it’s getting economically impossible to run,” he said. “But I also know Mr. Tafel. He’s a sportsman and he wants to win.”
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Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. Abraham Lincoln
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#118
05-31-2007, 07:38 PM
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from drf:
Nafzger said Street Sense would instead have two major objectives the rest of the year, the Travers Stakes Aug. 25 at Saratoga, and the Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park. No horse has ever won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Derby, Travers, and Classic, a superfecta Nafzger said "would be history." Had Street Sense run in the Belmont, that too would have been history. Curlin, who won the Preakness after finishing third in the Derby, and Hard Spun, who was second in the Derby and third in the Preakness, both are heading to Belmont Park for the 1 1/2-mile race. Had all three run, it would have been the first time the same three horses took the first three spots in the Derby and Preakness and then competed in the Belmont. and like another trainer said (several were surprised at the announcement) there are only three classics...much as some like to refer to the travers as the 'fourth' there are only three. i know the preakness gets a bad rap, especially because of the state of pimlico--but it's played a significant role the last couple years in year-end voting. if this trend continues, it's the belmont that will be on life support, not the preakness.
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Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. Abraham Lincoln
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#120
05-31-2007, 07:57 PM
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i'll watch...
pletcher still on the fence between the quay and rags to riches. he needs to run the filly! circular quay has had two shots at the big boys. give the gal a chance.
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Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all. Abraham Lincoln
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