Anyone Follow Horse Racing?

[klinkman]

Does anyone follow horse racing?

If you do, who do you think is the best 3 year old next to Big Brown? If there is any interest I might post my opinions on some of them.

[mbison]

dont follow it much but am intersted

[klinkman]

dont follow it much but am intersted

Okay, then I'll start posting some of my thoughts. These will be in no particular order, and will be updated whenever I get a moment.

Tale Of Ekati:
Top Perfomances: 1st in the Wood Memorial [G1], 4th in the Kentucky Derby[G1], 4th in the Jim Dandy [G1], 1st in the Futurity [G1], 4th in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile [G1]

Notable Misfires: 6th in the Belmont[G1], 7th in the Travers[G1], 6th in the Louisiana Derby

Although seemingly talented as a 2 year old, Tale of Ekati has failed in his last 3 starts, only cashing in the Jim Dandy, and his win in the Wood Memorial was in a slow time against an injured 2nd place horse. He has seemed to be consistent, cashing in several big races, but has not seemed to be able to win. He will likely be pointed to the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile later this year, but has little chance of winning it in my opinion.

[klinkman]

Macho Again

Top Perfomances: 1st in the Jim Dandy[G2], 1st in the Derby Trial, 2nd in the Preakness Stakes [G1]

Notable Misfires: 5th in the Belmont Stakes[G1], 6th in the Travers Stakes[G1]

Macho Again has shown to be a talented 3 yr old, finishing 2nd in a triple crown race to Big Brown, and beating a strong field in the Jim Dandy. The Travers is a throw out in my opinion as he ran into a wall of horses and clipped his heels when he tried to rally in that race, and the Belmont had no pace which hurt his chances. Mark my words he will be a force to be reckoned with later this year.

[klinkman]

Mambo In Seattle

Top Perfomances: 2nd in the Travers[G1], 1st in the Henry Walton [not graded]

Notable Misfires: None that I can find.

He's lightly raced, but has performed well when he has. His time in the Henry Walton was faster than Macho Again's in the Jim Dandy, on the same day at the same track over the same distance. He lost by half a nose in the Travers, and had to circle the field to get to the lead, costing him precious ground. He could very well be the next big thing, and be up to taking on Big Brown in the BC Classic.

[mbison]

mambo sounds good,please explain what G1 means for me ty

[klinkman]

Pyro

Top Performances: 1st in the Risen Star[G3], 1st in the Louisiana Derby[G2], 2nd in the Jim Dandy[G2], 3rd in the Travers[G1], 2nd in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile[G1], 2nd in the Champagne Stakes[G2], 1st in the Northern Dancer [G3]

Notable Misfires: 8th in the Kentucky Derby[G1], 10th in the Toyota Bluegrass[G1]

Pyro's come from behind style makes him less consistent than horses who are on or close to the pace, and Pyro has 2 notable misfires on his resume. Furthermore, if he were as talented as some people seem to think he is, there is no reason why he couldn't have won the Jim Dandy or the Travers. His run at the field always seems to be too little to late. Furthermore he really failed on his one race on polytrack, which the Breeder's Cup dirt races will be on later this year.

[klinkman]

Smooth Air

Top Performances: 1st in the Ohio Derby[G2], 2nd in the Florida Derby[G1], 1st in the Hutcheson Stakes[G2], 3rd in the Sam F. Davis Stakes[not graded]

Notable Misfires: 11th in the Kentucky Derby

Smooth Air has been quite an impressive performer, being the only one in the same zip code as Big Brown in the Florida Derby, and beating a decent field that included Z Fortune in the Ohio Derby. Everything that could go wrong did for Smooth Air in the derby, getting a fever the week before, then getting bumped at every possible point in the race an not getting any room to run. I'm not sure if he's Breeder's Cup material, but his owners have to be happy with all the money he's made in his stakes races. He runs this weekend in the Pennsylvania Derby, where he will likely be a huge favorite, and if he dominates there he just might be ready for the big time.

[klinkman]

Ready's Echo

Top Finishes: 3rd in the Belmont Stakes[G1], 3rd in the Peter Pan Stakes[G2]

Notable Misfires: None

Ready's Echo seems to come from way to far off the pace to actually be able to win most races, but it sure is fun to watch. I'd like to see him continue to run in some of the bigger stakes races as he makes the finishes really exciting. And the last 15 seconds of this video is hillarous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z85lS0T6654

[nodepositneeded]

That was crazy!

[Lilred36]

Yep he loves racing.

[klinkman]

Free Equibase Past Performances here: http://www.equibase.com/rotw/fullpp.pdf

1. Stones River (7 starts, 4 wins, 0 2nds, 0 3rds)
He's won 4 straight but is taking a big step up in class here. If the track gets wet I really like him, otherwise he might be outclassed here.

2. Ready Set (11 starts, 4 wins, 2 2nds, 2 3rds)
His first stakes win came in the West Virginia Derby, where the field wasn't very strong and things set up for him. I can see him making an impact here but I can't see picking him over several of the other horses here.

3. Numanny (7 starts, 2 wins, 0 2nds, 1 3rd)
He's well bred for sure, but not very talented. An easy throw out for me to make.

4. Tiz Now Tiz Then (10 starts, 3 wins, 2 2nds 1 3rd)
It took him 7 maiden races to finally figure things out, but 3 straight wins then an impressive 3rd place in the Jim Dandy have proven that he does have the class to run with these horses. A strong 2nd choice for me

5. Only for Now (6 starts, 3 wins, 2 2nds, 1 3rd)
He has won 3 straight, but going from Allowance Optional Claiming to a Grade 2 million dollar race is a big step. I can't imagine him running well enough to hit the board here, but I've been wrong before.

6. Smooth Air (9 starts, 4 wins, 2 2nds, 2 3rds)
The morning line favorite and the best horse in the field. Outside of his Kentucky Derby failure, he's run impressively in all of his starts. My pick to win.

7. Two Step Salsa (6 starts, 4 wins, 2 2nds)
This will be the biggest race he's run in, but his 2nd in the Swaps Stakes was impressive, re-rallying to beat Colonel John. However, I think Smooth Air and Tiz Now Tiz Then might be faster, but he should be on your tickets.

8. Anak Nakal (9 starts, 2 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
The dead heat for 3rd in the Belmont notwithstanding, Anak Nakal has refused to run in all of his starts this year. I can't imagine him outrunning the crowd here, so it's an easy leave off of my recommendations.

9. Atoned (13 starts, 2 wins, 7 2nds)
He has failed to fire in several of his starts, and his best race so far wouldn't even be enough for him to hit the board against this field. Another easy toss for me.

10. Power Game (2 starts, 2 wins)
His speed figures haven't been terribly high, but he is undefeated. This might end up biting me in the butt, but I have to recommend not betting on this horse.

11. You and I Forever(6 starts, 2 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
He ran within a neck to Mambo in Seattle in the Henry Walton, but his other starts have been lackluster. I just can't see him competing against this field, but I could be mistaken again.

12- Field, Wishful Tomcat(7 starts, 2 wins, 3 2nds, 1 3rd) Alaazo(5 starts, 2 wins) Acai(7 starts, 2 wins, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)

The weakest horses are grouped together since the boards can only handle 12 betting interests. None of them have a chance, so ignore them

1st Pick-Smooth Air
2nd Pick- Tiz Now Tiz Then

Recommended bet- Exacta Box, 6 over 4, 7, 2, 1