Comments for Thoroughbred Fever

Comment on Fair Grounds Today – Nov 6th by Jarrod Horak

Jarrod Horak — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:37:36 +0000

Conventional dirt specialists have a hard time handling synthetic surfaces. Look for horses proven over an all-weather track, along with turf horses.

Comment on Fair Grounds Today – Nov 6th by Bill Cullen

Bill Cullen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:55:11 +0000

Running the Breeder’s Cup races over the synthetic surface at Santa Anita is like covering a dirt track with saran wrap and having the best-breed horses in the world run over it.

Comment on Cup Chatter – BC Filly and Mare Sprint by Jarrod Horak

Jarrod Horak — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:07:23 +0000

If the Cup was at Keeneland, I would give Informed Decision the edge based on her 4 for 4 record over that synthetic surface. At Santa Anita, Ventura is 2 for 2 at seven furlongs and won the Filly & Mare Sprint last year. Ventura fires fresh and rates the edge.

For a better understanding on which horse is fresher, Informed Decision has raced 5 times since beating Ventura by a head at Keeneland in April. Ventura has raced once, a sharp win over males in the Woodbine Mile.

Comment on Cup Chatter: BC Classic (Part 4) by Jarrod Horak

Jarrod Horak — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:56:03 +0000

Another thing going for Colonel John is freshness. He has only raced three times this year and should be sitting on a career top after getting necked in the Goodwood. From a synthetic speed fig standpoint, he is just as good as any of the other US entrants.

Comment on Cup Chatter: BC Classic (Part 1) by Jarrod Horak

Jarrod Horak — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:51:07 +0000

The Classic is definitely a challenging handicapping puzzle. One longshot to consider is Richard’s Kid. He defeated Einstein in the Pacific Classic and was only beaten a length in the Goodwood last time. Improving 4yo is working well for the big dance and is worth including in the exotics at nice odds.

Comment on Cup Chatter – BC Filly and Mare Sprint by Medlocke

Medlocke — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:16:08 +0000

Informed Decision is absolutely in a grove right now, and Ventura or no Ventura, Informed Decision without a doubt wins the F&M Sprint. I think she and Zensational in the B.C. Sprint are 2 of the safest bets of all of the Breeders Cup races. The other 2 surest would be, imo, Interactif in the Juvenile Turf and Mastercraftsman in the B.C. Dirt Mile. If Zenyatta goes Classic, you could maybe even add Careless Jewel to that list in the Ladies Classic. jmo.

Comment on Cup Chatter: BC Classic (Part 1) by Medlocke

Medlocke — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:08:02 +0000

The Breeders Cup Classic is a difficult race to handicap. Given that most of the really good turf horses generally run well on synthetics, that make’s Rip Van Winkle and likely Gio Ponti real threats in the race. Already proven horses on the surface, who run’s synthetic tracks, and most particularly Santa Anita race course any better than Zenyatta? No one, that’s who. Einstein has performed well at Santa Anita as well, winning the “Big Cap” there earlier in the year. Colonel John and Richard’s Kid have both had some recent success on the pro-ride surface with Richard’s Kid winning the Pacific Classic and finishing 3rd to Colonel John’s 2nd in the Oct. Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita. I think both will find this list of contender’s a bit more than they can handle though. The question mark’s to me in the race are Summer Bird and Quality Road. Both are talented 3yr.olds, but have raced exclusively on conventional dirt making it difficult to know if they’ll both fire on the synthetic track. If they do take to the surface, both could be players in the race. I think, if he does respond to the Santa Anita surface that Quality Road may be sitting on a big race, having been bogged down in the mud in his last two starts but still being talented enough to get up for a 3rd and 2nd place finish in both. With so many “what if” factors to figure out, that’s what make’s the Classic a difficult race to handicap.

Comment on Cup Chatter – BC Filly and Mare Sprint by Jarrod Horak

Jarrod Horak — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:10:38 +0000

Ventura is seemingly back in California preparing to defend her BC Filly & Mare title. Not sure about her recent work patterns. Will let you know if I hear anything.

Comment on Cup Chatter – BC Filly and Mare Sprint by Tom

Tom — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:30:05 +0000

where is Ventura now? Cant find a workout for her since 10/13

Comment on Cup Chatter – BC Filly and Mare Sprint by Tom

Tom — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:29:08 +0000

Where is Ventura? Canat find a work since 10/13