Jan 10, 2023·edited Jan 10, 2023Liked by Charles Simon
Could you address the issue of why all the Kentucky tracks ( save Keeneland and Kentucky Downs are almost always omitted from the printed copy of the Racing Form. Also no analysis or closer looks are ever provided for Turfway and Ellis.
Great writing as usual and knowledgeable insights. You would get my vote for commissioner but only if I was the vice commissioner. Lol. So we could argue about everything. 😃
I must heartily agree with everything on your wish list!! I'd add that the industry must do better in maintaining the very roots of racing, the lower levels,the claimers and allowance horses and the ungraded stakes horses and those people that own and train them.Lose those and the upper echelon becomes meaningless.
I would not yet write off Arctic Arrogance out of the Jerome. He always runs well. He got a big new top on TG for Remsen runnerup, and missed a work for Jerome. Rice has been very open about how hard it is to keep weight off him. So he needs to run and/or train frequently. NY whipsaw prep schedule will have him going 9f 2 turns in Withers, and then what? Gotham 1 turn mile? or wait 9 weeks for Wood? He appears to be a Frosted (he is really getting a lot of good winners these days) that is NOT distance-challenged (maybe it's the Uncle Mo). I don't buy the "won't pass horses" stuff: there were pace and other circumstances in both of last 2, and both times it was a mile back to third horse, 'suggesting' the 1st 2 ran exceptional both times. I like him, and hope he keeps getting better
I don’t discount that he is a good prospect, I just don’t see him as a Derby prospect at all. He benefits from running frequently (most horses do despite the trainer rhetoric) and as such should have a fitness edge over the horses he keeps finishing second to. I thought Saturdays pace was about par for that despite most of the field having had shown good speed in their prior races. To me he is a solid NY winter type horse that can make a little noise in the Aqu preps but isn’t a real upper graded stakes factor. I also believe that he may benefit from the wet track too.
Just testing Notes: I'm finally convinced Arctic A can't run 9f in top company. I hope Rice can find races he can excel in, maybe the Stephens, Jerkens, etc. Maybe one milers, one or 2 turns. He's a cool horse, IMO, always tries hard.
Well said.
Could you address the issue of why all the Kentucky tracks ( save Keeneland and Kentucky Downs are almost always omitted from the printed copy of the Racing Form. Also no analysis or closer looks are ever provided for Turfway and Ellis.
I believe the printed copies are regional based is the only thing I can think of.
Great writing as usual and knowledgeable insights. You would get my vote for commissioner but only if I was the vice commissioner. Lol. So we could argue about everything. 😃
I’d go for that deal but they are gonna have to break open the piggy bank and write a check with a loooooooooootttttttt of zero’s on it.
I must heartily agree with everything on your wish list!! I'd add that the industry must do better in maintaining the very roots of racing, the lower levels,the claimers and allowance horses and the ungraded stakes horses and those people that own and train them.Lose those and the upper echelon becomes meaningless.
Absolutely outstanding recap. Your insight is always great.
Thank you
I would not yet write off Arctic Arrogance out of the Jerome. He always runs well. He got a big new top on TG for Remsen runnerup, and missed a work for Jerome. Rice has been very open about how hard it is to keep weight off him. So he needs to run and/or train frequently. NY whipsaw prep schedule will have him going 9f 2 turns in Withers, and then what? Gotham 1 turn mile? or wait 9 weeks for Wood? He appears to be a Frosted (he is really getting a lot of good winners these days) that is NOT distance-challenged (maybe it's the Uncle Mo). I don't buy the "won't pass horses" stuff: there were pace and other circumstances in both of last 2, and both times it was a mile back to third horse, 'suggesting' the 1st 2 ran exceptional both times. I like him, and hope he keeps getting better
All Louisiana derby nominations are eligible for the Lecomte & risen star. There are 56 Louisiana derby early bird nominations.
Thx. They should be listed as nominees.
I don’t discount that he is a good prospect, I just don’t see him as a Derby prospect at all. He benefits from running frequently (most horses do despite the trainer rhetoric) and as such should have a fitness edge over the horses he keeps finishing second to. I thought Saturdays pace was about par for that despite most of the field having had shown good speed in their prior races. To me he is a solid NY winter type horse that can make a little noise in the Aqu preps but isn’t a real upper graded stakes factor. I also believe that he may benefit from the wet track too.
Just testing Notes: I'm finally convinced Arctic A can't run 9f in top company. I hope Rice can find races he can excel in, maybe the Stephens, Jerkens, etc. Maybe one milers, one or 2 turns. He's a cool horse, IMO, always tries hard.