Ironhorse - You confuse me. Why is Jazil listed as one of your top Belmont selections? He's a maiden ... never won a race, but now he's a top pick for a grade I win?

I would never post here saying I'm confident That's A Given will win the Belmont (we may not even enter him). But could he run well and finish in the money (and possibly, long shot as it may be, win)? Absolutely.

You have no right to call me "arrogant". "Hopeful", yes. "Optimistic", yes.

If you meet me in person, then you have every right to call me whatever you want. Until that day, please refrain from the negative labeling. We can get plenty of that on the ESPN board.

Lansdon

Jazil is not a maiden. He won a Mdsp at AQ in December.

I think Sacred Light is the maiden Ldog is thinking of.

My intention was not to offend you if I did I apologize. I agree about the ESPN site as well. The personal attacks and trashing of horses is uncalled for. Maybe arrogant was too strong a word but I really question running a maiden winner in the Belmont. It just seems that because Barbaro and Bernardini are not running people are dismissing the other runners as weak. I believe there are still some quality seasoned horses in the race and asking a recent maiden to beat them is a tall order. I think your horse looks like a good one I would get him a couple more wins than step up for the fall. I realize that is just my opinion and you could careless its just to explain to you where I am coming from.

If Commendable can win the Belmont, pretty much any horse can. Worst winner of a Triple Crown race in history.

OK, I said I wasn't going to post here, but I came over and saw LLbigdog over here and I wanted to say thank you for sharing your experiences with everyone. Sorry about the buttheads over at the ESPN board. Some just don't know how to play well with others. Unhappy people who get jealous when others are happy and doing well.

I am happy to hear about FS. I can't wait to see him run again!

Also, run your horse in the Belmont. If he is fit enough and your trainer thinks he can handle it and is ready, why not take a chance? Love me some Point Given babies. Would love to see one in the Belmont. Personally the only horses to worry about would be BobandJohn (just cause I don't think he ran his race in the Derby), Sunriver and Deputy Glitters. But honestly, go for it! :o

Worst winner of any triple crown race was Giacomo. That was the biggest fluke in horse racing since Arcangues won the BC Classic at more than 100/1.
Giacomo makes Commendable look good. :D

Buffy why did you not want to post here?
Its the same core good group from ESPN plus some great new faces and people. The difference is that the trolls cant infect the place.
The set up is even better. That just about cinches the deal doesn't it?

Lil E Tee is right there as well.

Sacred Light's not a maiden either, eh, though I don't think his own nose has crossed the line first in a race...YET. Think he definitely has potential though.

Don't want to offend those with my stupidity. Just wanted to say thanks to bigdog. It really is nice of him to share his experiences. I enjoyed hearing about what it is like to own a racehorse. Don't know if I will ever own one, but I like hearing about it so I can dream about it.

Stupidity? YOu lost me there.

You're right, Sacred Light does have one win, via DQ... he has NEVER crossed the wire first though!

Glad to have you back Lansdon. I really enjoy your posts. You seem to manage your horses really well, and put them in good spots where you think they have a chance. If you think That's A Given stands a chance, I would say go for it. I would personally love to see him run, and I love rooting for your horses. The Belmont is shaping up to be a great race because it is so wide open. I hope First Samuri makes it back soon.

What is the reason for racing. The bottom line is money. I thing lbig is a great example of of horse ownership and looks out for his horses well being But cashing checks helps him stay in the business. Imaintain an enty in the belmount will produce a better return for him with the big purse in the Belmont. Even with a 5th he will get a better check than a N/W of 1 race. Who are we only fans and gamblers questioning a owner of his status. I have opinions of what to do but I dont think im qualified to tell him how to run his stable.

Its not like he doesn't get some good input from trusted sources as well.

I expressed an opinion. I explained what my opinion was based on. There are many ways to look look at a race. I was not trying to tell him what to do only what I would do. Everyday people post here about their opinions. Some are the same and some are very different. I guess thats why we run the races.
Why do you assume that everyone that posts here is just a fan or gambler?

My mistake on infering that you were only a fan or a gambler. I do feel that lbig is who he says he is. Therefore I respect his position. He has earned it with the stabeor stables he is connected to. Ihave no idea what your relationship to racing is. Maybe not even a fan. My appology for if I offended you by calling you a fan or a gambler. I assumed most in here wouldnt be offended by this name calling.

Most of his horses are VERY conservartively placed, and he himself is not prone to "taking a shot very often".
One time I talked into letting Message Red take a shot in a NY bred stakes race after she had just won a non 1 other than.
I assured him we would hit the board. I was in the paddock and he called me not all that pleased and said "Michael, this horse is 27 to ****ing 1!!!! I said yeah I know, make sure you play the exacta with her beneath Carson Hollow.
Carson Hollow ranbled home by 5 at like 1-5 but Message Red came storming down the center of the track to easliy take 2nd and become stakes placed.

Painting Lansdon with the crazy brush is about as far off as you can get. He's quite aware of what price the horse will be, he bets and follows races from all over the country daily.

Maybe Im guliable but I take these examples you cite relating to Lbig and enhance my respect for him as an owner.