Racing Beat: August 19
I’m going to be deep for a second here: Handicapping is a lot like the weather. Every day can’t be sunny, and even if the forecast predicts no rain, there’s no guarantee it won’t.
Another Dixieland Band bites the dust… er, retires: Simmard was having one hell of a year besting all my choices on the grass (Newsdad, Joinem).
Excuse me while I plan a road trip to/grand equine theft of Lane’s End.
Chantal Sutherland gets a 4-day ban from British stewards for overuse of the whip. At least she won oh wait.
Anyone who had a hunch bet in Friday’s Saratoga R5, Shakeira/Wholelottashakin, must have enjoyed a nice payoff.
I imagine those people who claim to have paid their way through college from handicapping are either a) college grads from the 80s when college was cheap, b) super-omg-awesome at exotics, c) bullshitting me. I’d feel lucky if I could buy a textbook every semester with my winnings.
The Travers looks likely to be laughably awful this year. Again. Time for a hunch bet on Alpha.
I need to write something about how much I dislike the DRF’s handicapping style. To each his own, but I purposely avoid whomever they pick 9 out of 10 times.
Is there anyone out there– still in training, that is– that can keep up with Trinniberg for the King’s Bishop (I)?
I have a new love on the horizon: the chestnut Big Brown colt Mach Seven is out of a City Zip daughter and is trained by Michael Matz. He was second-last in his debut trailing the whole way at Delaware Park though, so it’s a good thing I forgot to bet on that one… ANYWAY, I CALLED HIM FIRST! Looking at his pedigree maybe he’ll like turf…
New two-year-old names to add to the watch list: Sonofasamurai (First Samurai x Midnight Deelite, by Afternoon Deelites), a McPeek trainee owned by Susan McPeek, and Orb (Malibu Moon x Lady Liberty, by Unbridled) under the Phipps colors.
What good is suspending a trainer if they can just give directions to their assistant trainers during their “time-out” period? They’re still getting credit for training, but are basically getting a vacation off of actual work while doing it.
New favorite horse name? (Yes again): Pink Leninade, a filly by Lemon Drop Kid out of Soviet, by Unbridled.
I hope Questing [GB] gets a good, long career. She’s too talented to retire sooner!
Little Mike, you’re just too beautiful a sight… I too prefer running all alone up front.
Joel Rosario is a good front rider while Mike Smith does best with those coming from off the pace. Therefore, I think Atigun’s a good match for Smith in the Travers…
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