the belmont would be his 7th race as a three year old, after an eight week layoff heading into churchill. what does he need R&R from?

six week...

That was my first thought when I read that comment also... Hard Spun couldn't warm up Secretariat.

you serious?

yeah, it's that new math...

and yes, playa, i AM serious. horse ran, took off six (or eight!!lol) weeks, runs two races, he needs a break? trainer thinks he's fine. these horses aren't cookie cutter, they don't all fit the same mold....he's a happy, healthy, fit three year old.

well it's a done deal now. Gomez takes over the reins.


http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39096

Rick Porter is more and more ridiculous every time he opens his mouth. If he honestly thinks Hard Spun was going to rate comfortably behind the two dying speedhorses when CP West came outside of him, and then somehow extract himself when the speeds backed up into his face, then he knows even less about this game than I give him credit for, which is about zero.

The horse was third best and that's where he finished. At least now I have a significant root against in the Belmont. Considering the absurdities that came out of this camp regarding Rockport Harbor I think it's fair to expect a great deal more lunacy in the coming months. Keep the laughs coming.

too bad because I share your sentiments, and I really sort-of liked this horse...but I can't take the nonsense.

A voice of reason. That's exactly the thing I think. He was the third best horse in the Derby and he was the third best horse in the Preakness. A better trip for Curlin in Kentucky and Hard Spun would have finished third in both races; right where he should have. The people that are saying that Pino moved too early must not have watched the Derby. He was not going to outrun those horses in the lane and his ONLY chance at springing the upset would have been to open up as much as he could and hopefully have them come after him and lose some of their late punch. Being 2-3 in front of them at the quarter pole wouldn't have been enough.

you all are going to be eating crow when Gomez carries this horse to victory at 12 furlongs.

well, as always, rick porter needs someone to point fingers at--so now it's pino.

altho the connections (as has been noted here on several occasions, but many people) aren't the most heartwarming, i'll still be pulling for him rather than oh, say...curlin.