Summer Bird pointed for The BC

CSC · #1 09-02-2009, 09:02 AM

As anyone who listened to Steve's interview with Tim Ice yesterday will know Summer Bird will be pointed for the BC this fall on Pro- ride. How about that, a horse and it's connections that won't use the synth angle to duck out of the competition. I propose if Summer Bird wins his next start (most likely the JCGC and wins the BC Classic) he will have earned HOY. For me this is the feel good story of the year, these connections and horse make it very easy for any racing fan to root for them.

#2 09-02-2009, 09:14 AM

If that happens they should get Jeremy Piven for the Chris Rosier role and Kurt Russell for Desormeaux. Peter North could play Tim Ice in a breakthrough performance.

Gander · #3 09-02-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

As anyone who listened to Steve's interview with Tim Ice yesterday will know Summer Bird will be pointed for the BC this fall on Pro- ride. How about that, a horse and it's connections that won't use the synth angle to duck out of the competition. I propose if Summer Bird wins his next start (most likely the JCGC and wins the BC Classic) he will have earned HOY. For me this is the feel good story of the year, these connections and horse make it very easy for any racing fan to root for them.

You can certainly make a case and it is very sporting on Ice's part, but I think Rachel controls her own destiny as far as HOY goes. She'll most likely run twice more this year? If she wins both, the Woodward being one of them and perhaps the Beldame being the second, shes a lock to win this award. She already blasted Summer Bird in what will be their only head to head matchup and shares 1 triple crown race win with Summer Bird.

CSC · #4 09-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Atleast this may force Jess Jackson to rethink his fall plans, I think SB can force his hand. Winning the Belmont-Travers-JCGC-BC Classic is a very strong case for HOY.

#5 09-02-2009, 09:21 AM

One race at a tiiiiiiiime, sweet Jesus.

johnny pinwheel · #6 09-02-2009, 09:23 AM

its good that hes entering. but i don't think other horses are using the "synth" angle to duck competition. the connections know their horse won't run good on it. take fabulous strike as an example, he ran 5th or 6th in the breeders cup sprint. yet the horse does not lose at 6f on the dirt. why would he enter? to go out there and lose to a horse like fatal bullet. a horse that he drowned three weeks ago. fatal bullet is a horse thats never beaten a horse on dirt in his life. its not an angle the synth surface is a third surface. anyone that can't see the difference is blind. if summer bird runs poorly see how eager they are to come back. i have a feeling these tracks will be thrown out eventually. they were sold as safer, which is a joke.

CSC · #7 09-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gander

She already blasted Summer Bird in what will be their only head to head matchup and shares 1 triple crown race win with Summer Bird.

As I keep reminding people that is only one race, many great horses have been "blasted" once only to redeem themselves later on. Frankly it is a tiresome argument to constantly refer the Haskell as the only and true measuring stick that RA is 10 lengths better than SB. If she shows up at SA in the Classic or Belmont for the JCGC, I suspect alot people will start to see the light.

One thing we do know, the connections are sporting and not scared to showcase their horse anywhere, anytime. Even on a foreign surface.

slotdirt · #8 09-02-2009, 09:29 AM

When he runs a bang up fourth to two Euros and Tiago, will we still be applauding this decision? In any event, Summer Bird was a pretty easy horse to root for like four months ago. Plus, Summer Bird >>>>>> Dunkirk.

CSC · #9 09-02-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

If that happens they should get Jeremy Piven for the Chris Rosier role and Kurt Russell for Desormeaux. Peter North could play Tim Ice in a breakthrough performance.

The Giants once beat the Pats in the Superbowl, true it is not an easy feat. But it is worth discussion if it can be done(however remote) does he deserve HOY if people can look past the RA sweetheart theme. She's a great filly but objectively he is a very good horse himself who is only getting better.

Gander · #10 09-02-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

As I keep reminding people that is only one race, many great horses have been "blasted" once only to redeem themselves later on. Frankly it is a tiresome argument to constantly refer the Haskell as the only and true measuring stick that RA is 10 lengths better than SB. If she shows up at SA in the Classic or Belmont for the JCGC, I suspect alot people will start to see the light.

One thing we do know, the connections are sporting and not scared to showcase their horse anywhere, anytime. Even on a foreign surface.

I'm not saying Summer Bird isnt capable of beating Rachel in a rematch, if one was to take place, but do you really think a rematch will happen? What more does rachel have to prove? If she wins this weekend, she will have dominated 3 year old fillies, 3 year old males (twice) and older males (given a likely romp in the Woodward). The only thing left for her to take on is older fillies and mares. Why on earth would her connections entertain the idea of the Jockey Club when all it would be is a collection of who she has already beaten?

CSC · #11 09-02-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gander

I'm not saying Summer Bird isnt capable of beating Rachel in a rematch, if one was to take place, but do you really think a rematch will happen? What more does rachel have to prove? If she wins this weekend, she will have dominated 3 year old fillies, 3 year old males (twice) and older males (given a likely romp in the Woodward). The only thing left for her to take on is older fillies and mares. Why on earth would her connections entertain the idea of the Jockey Club when all it would be is a collection of who she has already beaten?

I agree on one point, Jess Jackson will not risk RA's reputation unless a horse can threaten her for HOY. Whether one agrees with the BC format or not, it was designed for determining year end honors and historically more times than not it has.

Gander · #12 09-02-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

I agree on one point, Jess Jackson will not risk RA's reputation unless a horse can threaten her for HOY. Whether one agrees with the BC format or not, it was designed for determining year end honors and historically more times than not it has.

I also dont think its a given that Summer Bird is just going to win easily again, this time in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. I will take a shot he gets beat by an older horse in this spot.

CSC · #13 09-02-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gander

I also dont think its a given that Summer Bird is just going to win easily again, this time in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. I will take a shot he gets beat by an older horse in this spot.

No it isn't but I really have a good feeling of him at Belmont if the JCGC is his target and it would make the most sense, we know he likes the track and 1 1/4.

#14 09-02-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

The Giants once beat the Pats in the Superbowl, true it is not an easy feat. But it is worth discussion if it can be done(however remote) does he deserve HOY if people can look past the RA sweetheart theme. She's a great filly but objectively he is a very good horse himself who is only getting better.

He'll have to beat Rachel Alexander.

CSC · #15 09-02-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

He'll have to beat Rachel Alexander.

After the Woodward, the answer to that should be clearer depending on the result. Her campaign after this weekend could get easier or harder.

Danzig · #16 09-02-2009, 10:32 AM

since the haskell is the only time they'll meet this year, you can't ignore the fact that rachel dominated summer bird that day. speculation about a rematch notwithstanding, facts are facts.
also, altho i think summer bird put on a nice show in the travers, it's far from a given that he wins his next two. good for ice taking him to cali, if that's what they choose to do. given the fact that summer bird usually tends to find his way on a track once he has a few works/gallops, they have to feel some confidence in their approach.
however, one mans treasure is another mans trash. jess jackson has been emphatic about not liking poly, and who is in the position to question his motives? he hasn't exactly taken a safe approach with rachel, as evidenced by two starts vs colts, including a classic win over the derby winner, as well as the second and third place finishers in ky. and now taking on open company in the woodward...if she wins there, it's yet another leg up on the 3 yo competition, who have yet to make the attempt.

Gander · #17 09-02-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

After the Woodward, the answer to that should be clearer depending on the result. Her campaign after this weekend could get easier or harder.

Who really do you see in the Woodward that can beat her, beyond herself?

Danzig · #18 09-02-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

He'll have to beat Rachel Alexander.

and even then, they'd have one each. summer bird has the lead imo for 3 yo colt-but he has a lot to do to get HOY. and it's far from a given that he wins the bcc-or the jcgc for that matter.

tector · #19 09-02-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

As I keep reminding people that is only one race, many great horses have been "blasted" once only to redeem themselves later on. Frankly it is a tiresome argument to constantly refer the Haskell as the only and true measuring stick that RA is 10 lengths better than SB. If she shows up at SA in the Classic or Belmont for the JCGC, I suspect alot people will start to see the light.

One thing we do know, the connections are sporting and not scared to showcase their horse anywhere, anytime. Even on a foreign surface.

Like they have a choice. Forget about HOY--they could lose could 3YO honors if MTB wins the Classic (seems doubtful right now, but let's see a race first), or if QR wins it after winning his next race. People will, rightly, forgive QR's rush-job Travers very quickly if he moves forward. There is also the matter of a huge purse to be had. In short, it is a freaking business. And their decision is a business decision.

And right now I'd take IP over any 3YO colt, too. Quit getting a boner over this group. It may be the case that the three best dirt horses in the US, routing at least, are all female (can't be really say with certainty about Zenyatta, since her lone dirt appearance was 1.5 years ago). That would be pretty cool.

Antitrust32 · #20 09-02-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSC

Atleast this may force Jess Jackson to rethink his fall plans, I think SB can force his hand. Winning the Belmont-Travers-JCGC-BC Classic is a very strong case for HOY.

IF and its not a mortal lock IMO.. Rachel wins the Woodward there is absolutely no chance for any horse to win HOY except her. And she's already drowned Summer Bird.

SB could win the Super Derby, JCGC, Goodwood, BCClassic and the Clark and he still wouldnt get HOY if she wins the Woodward.

Granted SB is a huge bet against in the classic but I would give him a shot in the JCGC. He's the frontrunner for 3yo Colt award but there's only one horse even in the running for HOY at this point.