I guess Baffert cares about the training title at Del Mar

Calzone Lord · #1 09-05-2012, 06:51 AM

Da Ruler is in for 10K at Del Mar today.

He's 2-for-2 lifetime on synthetic tracks.

In his first synthetic try, he finished 2nd beaten a neck to Sway Away. Sway Away returned from that race to finish 2nd in the San Carlos next out (The Factor won and BC Sprint winner Amazombie was 3rd in that race)

In his second synthetic try, he demolished a field at 9/1 odds last out when in under entry level N1X Alw conditions. Almost ran as fast as he did in his first synthetic try.

This horse must have some major physical issues -- judging especially by the layoff lines and the willingness of Baffert to do this (even considering the fact that a training title for Del Mar is on the line today)

Peter Miller (who trails Baffert 19 to 18) has five horses in today -- including two of his stable stars Reneesgotzip (ML favorite in the in the C.E.R.F Stakes) and Comma to the Top (2nd choice on the ML in the Pirates Bounty)

Miller also has one in the 10k claiming race -- though he entered it for a $9,000 tag to save the 2lbs and Garret Gomez is taking the call on the 9k claimer.

Calzone Lord · #2 09-05-2012, 08:42 AM

I wonder how many claims will be dropped on that horse?

He still has all of his alw conditions -- except for the entry level N1X.

For instance, an N2X alw race at Hoosier is worth $41,000. At Presque Isle on the synthetic it is worth 46K.

He would be a massive favorite in those type of races -- but obviously it's no sure thing he's the same creature physically that he was two months ago.

Not to mention -- he would be eligible for 10K Starter ALW everywhere for the next two years.

This is a horse that a fortune could be made with if the new connections are able to keep him together physically (Big, big, big IF)

Calzone Lord · #3 09-05-2012, 05:17 PM

The horse was a gate scratch -- never thought I'd see a day where a jockey scratches a Baffert horse.

The 9th choice in the field of 10 wins and pays $50.20 -- Peter Miller's 9k claimer was 2nd.

3kings · #4 09-05-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

The horse was a gate scratch -- never thought I'd see a day where a jockey scratches a Baffert horse.

The 9th choice in the field of 10 wins and pays $50.20 -- Peter Miller's 9k claimer was 2nd.

The 1 had an interesting trip. Broke slow had a lot of run but got shy about going up the rail.

Calzone Lord · #5 09-05-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3kings

The 1 had an interesting trip. Broke slow had a lot of run but got shy about going up the rail.

Yep. The race was kind of weak though after the scratch of the Baffert.

I remember one of my grandfathers favorite stories. My father trained an Ohio Bred he dropped into a claiming race at Commodore. He found out that the horse was going to get claimed -- so my grandfather tells him 'don't worry about it. I'll turn her loose'

In those days at that track, jockeys couldn't always get a gate scratch. They could take the horse to the vet -- but if the vet thought the horse was fine -- they'd only allow the jockey off and get another rider.

So, my grandfather takes her to the gap and lets her go...and the horse wouldn't move and was just standing there. So, he starts yelling and charging at her...and its in a spot where a bunch of people could see it. People are looking at him like he's crazy. Finally the horse ran off and he ended up getting the scratch.

My father tried to argue to the stewards that he was sometimes afraid of horses -- and one of them said "he didn't look too affraid" -- they ended up fining him for it.

My grandfather said that he was seconds away from throwing rocks at the horse to get her to go.

Calzone Lord · #6 09-05-2012, 06:14 PM

Peter Miller won both the 2nd and 3rd race.

Now leads Baffert 20-to-19.

He almost swept the early pick 3.

asudevil · #7 09-05-2012, 06:36 PM

Renee just missed a track record. She broke a little sideways.

Calzone Lord · #8 09-05-2012, 08:00 PM

Comma To The Top wins.

3 wins today for Peter Miller -- Baffert is toast.

ranger5830 · #9 09-05-2012, 10:50 PM

Baffert made a similar move this year with a horse called Solar Rocket, who was coming off a year layoff following a race where he had lost by a head in 1:07 1/5, he was dropped in for $12.5k non-winners of 2, where amazingly he was only 6/5, and won by 12 in 1:08 1/5.

Only one claim was put in for him, by Mark Glatt, who ran him back two weeks later for $16k, he won easily in 1:14 3/5 for 6 1/2 f and wasn't claimed. He has won 2 of 6 for $52k since being claimed, and is entered Saturday in a $39k allowance optional claimer at Fairplex, so he certainly was a good claim for $12,500.