7/12 (BEL): Man O' War (Gr. I)

ateamstupid · #1 07-10-2008, 03:25 PM

9th (5:15) Man o' War S. (G1)

1 3/8 Miles (Inner turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000

1 Better Talk Now Dominguez R A 120 L
2 Grand Couturier (GB) Borel C H 120 L
3 Mission Approved Cohen D 116 L
4 True Cause Maragh R 116 L
5 Sudan (IRE) Velazquez J R 120 L
6 Red Rocks (IRE) Castellano J J 116 Blk-On L
7 Curlin Albarado R J 116 L

The Indomitable DrugS · #2 07-10-2008, 03:41 PM

At least we won't have to hear Asmussen whine about the weights this time.

I'd have to think the conditions of the race are why they wanted him to run in this spot so bad - and why Shug didn't even bother to nominate Dancing Forever...who would have had to give away 7lbs to Curlin and 3lbs away to a pair of former BC Turf winners. Einstein would have also had to carry 123 in this spot.

Handicappy · #3 07-10-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

At least we won't have to hear Asmussen whine about the weights this time.

I'd have to think the conditions of the race are why they wanted him to run in this spot so bad - and why Shug didn't even bother to nominate Dancing Forever...who would have had to give away 7lbs to Curlin and 3lbs away to a pair of former BC Turf winners. Einstein would have also had to carry 123 in this spot.

Well hold on now. Assmussen will probably want his own outrider for Curlin, a new gate crew with more neutral attire and he's still interviewing for the race call. But I hear Durkin is ALMOST a shoe-in. I am excited about the horse and the race. But, once again, we are faced with having to ignore the connections.

Bobby Fischer · #4 07-10-2008, 08:13 PM

win or lose, looking forward to hearing Durkin say "Grand Cooteryay"

Scav · #5 07-11-2008, 12:54 PM

Does he have to win to go to the Arc?

I would have to say yes

texarkana · #6 07-11-2008, 01:15 PM

Asmussen says "no":

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/46041.htm

Quote:

If everything works out in the Man o’ War, a race Asmussen said Curlin doesn’t have to win but has to “look the best,” the colt would likely prep for the Arc in the Prix Foy (Fra-III) at Longchamp.

Although I think it's pretty far-fetched to believe he could lose to a field of has beens and still look good enough to be considered Arc material.

Scav · #7 07-11-2008, 01:16 PM

Glad that ESPNews is showing it, going to have to find it somewhere in Wrigleyville after the Cubs game, I am sure Cubbie Bear will have it on somewhere.....

brockguy · #8 07-11-2008, 01:18 PM

he gets 4 pounds off red rocks, i reckon if RR runs his race, Curlin would have to beat him by about 10 lengths to be considered a challanger for the Arc..

ArlJim78 · #9 07-11-2008, 01:27 PM

i'm curious if they have a plan B, should he not look the best. they've already implied that the BC classic is not interesting, because winning it back to back has already been done.

Gate Dancer · #10 07-11-2008, 01:45 PM

Let's say his performance in the Manhattan is adequate but not scintillating. How about giving him a chance at the Breeders Cup Turf? The field shouldn't be as deep and he would have a chance to the have the only BC Classic/BC Turf double.

sumitas · #11 07-11-2008, 01:51 PM

I'm guessing he wins this race solidly.

ArlJim78 · #12 07-11-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gate Dancer

Let's say his performance in the Manhattan is adequate but not scintillating. How about giving him a chance at the Breeders Cup Turf? The field shouldn't be as deep and he would have a chance to the have the only BC Classic/BC Turf double.

i think you mean the Man o War, not the Manhattan.

I would say if he's only adequate in the Man O War, that's not going to cut it in the BC Turf either.

I mean I have no problem if they run him in these turf races, but they seem to be on a mission to prove his greatness, and to do something no other horse has done before, which to me means more than just acquiting himself well.

who knows.

texarkana · #13 07-11-2008, 01:56 PM

Didn't his connections toss around the idea of further international racing beyond France?

Should this weekend's turf experiement prove a colossal flop, they could always aim for something like the Japan Dirt Cup to increase his bankroll and international resume.

Antitrust32 · #14 07-11-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumitas

I'm guessing he wins this race solidly.

I think he does too... I think he's so talented that the Belmont turf surface shouldnt slow him down.. I dont feel convicted enough to make a wager because of his assumed real low odds it just wouldnt be worth it.. (not that I bet much anyway).

But my opinion is he rolls here by like 3-5 lenghts in a good time!

That does NOT translate into success in France... but I'd love to see him try over there!

ArlJim78 · #15 07-11-2008, 01:57 PM

the Japan cup was mentioned, i don't know if that would still be planB. it could be I guess.

Scav · #16 07-11-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

i think you mean the Man o War, not the Manhattan.

I would say if he's only adequate in the Man O War, that's not going to cut it in the BC Turf either.

I mean I have no problem if they run him in these turf races, but they seem to be on a mission to prove his greatness, and to do something no other horse has done before, which to me means more than just acquiting himself well.

who knows.

I doubt they run in a turf race here after this race, it is either he runs well and goes to France OR he stays here and goes back to dirt, maybe some NY race, becuase there really isn't many dirt Grade 1's left so it would have to be somewhere out there, JCGC or something

stonegossard · #17 07-11-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Glad that ESPNews is showing it, going to have to find it somewhere in Wrigleyville after the Cubs game, I am sure Cubbie Bear will have it on somewhere.....

Go to Yaktzee's right across from the stadium. A good buddy of mine bartends there. They should be able to put ESPNews on a tv for ya.

Scav · #18 07-11-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Go to Yaktzee's right across from the stadium. A good buddy of mine bartends there. They should be able to put ESPNews on a tv for ya.

What side of Addison, north or south? I have never heard of it, although I have probably been in it

miraja2 · #19 07-11-2008, 02:45 PM

What about the Woodward followed by the JCGC? Does that just make too much sense to even be considered or what?

I don't understand the fact that they want this horse to prove his greatness and yet at the same time want to avoid high weights. If he is as good as they seem to think, why not run him in some real handicap races?

I think the fact that they are trying him on turf is very interesting, but if it doesn't work out tomorrow (and I'm not completely sold on the fact that it will) why not return to dirt, spot the other contenders some weight and then try to beat them? It seemed to work out okay that way for top horses for about a century. Why couldn't it work for Curlin?

ALostTexan · #20 07-11-2008, 03:21 PM

I looked at my local newspaper today, and didn't see the race listed for the TV schedule tomorrow. I called the newspaper, and they said they only list the Triple Crown races, although I pointed out that they have the Delaware Handicap listed for Sunday an omitted the #1 rated horse in the world running tomorrow.

They said that they will put it in tomorrow, but we'll see...