6/27 $500k G3 OHIO DERBY added to Derby Road (20-8-4-2)..

Charlatan out of Belmont and derby. A few weeks ago Baffert had three big shots now he has none. Things can change fast.

https://www.drf.com/news/baffert-no-...erby-charlatan

MAXFIELD will bypass Belmont for Blue Grass..

Smart move, 2 turns better option.

With his turn move (reminiscent of his sire Street Sense), Maxfield would be a force around one turn perhaps even in an extended sprint--never mind 9 furlongs.

Of course, with 3 weeks in-between the Belmont and Blue Grass, he's not really bypassing the former in favor of the latter; his connections are simply choosing not to run in a Triple Crown race.

FYI, this is exactly the opposite of the truth. A one turn route at Belmont is FAR more likely to feature a fast pace that will benefit closers than a two turn race where the pace slows as the field hits a turn relatively quickly.

Imagine if you had just gotten him those concert tickets all of this could’ve been avoided.

Geez...a decades worth of moronic posts because of concert tickets. Incredible

He never got me a concert ticket in his life. I wonder how I was able to go to all those shows without him . Phish at spac ? Capacity unlimited.... It bull

A reckless and rash decision I will have to live with the rest of my life. Then again, there is the enjoyment of watching him pretend it never happened here.

He really used to be a very nice guy.

As usual, you miss the point.

It makes sense why getting called stupid bothered you so much the other day. Not the first time you’ve been called it, huh?

Had to do with Zenyatta, not concert tickets. Now it has to do with you screaming for security in front of the jocks room in front of my wife because apparently you were scared. You didn't like being called out about your lie about 300 dead shows . 150 maybe , 300 never. You couldn't make a list with half that and you know it. Things like work and school and the track might have curtailed being on tour that much. I'm not the first one to get the " security" treatment. I seem to remember Paul Cornman getting it at gulfstream . Cool to see you on your best behavior on fox as that condescending **** wouldn't fly on national tv

I can’t stop laughing

I don’t quite get it. Are they avoiding facing off against Tiz the Law?

On the other hand, I didn’t pay attention but someone I know said Maxfield walked after the race last time out. Maybe he needs the extra few weeks after a big race off a long layoff.

I think their goal is strictly the Derby. They can pick the races they feel best to get the horse peaking at that time. I wish he was running in Belmont but understand the goals they have.

They also might not be in a hurry to face Tap it to Win after he traumatized their other 3 year year old mystic Guide last Wednesday .

They are playing the game that the Kentucky Derby is the only race that matters. Of course, if he does win the Derby he will almost assuredly retire at year's end after 1 or 2 more starts. When you think about what racing would be like if every participant in the sport campaigned their top horses in this way, you realize that it doesn't take a pandemic to create spectator-less racing...

Meanwhile, to your other point, Maxfield has not breezed back since his Matt Winn comeback, which is going on 17 days now. He breezed back from each of his two baby races within 2 weeks. He had to have surgery after only those 2 starts. Maybe the real story is that his quest towards the Kentucky Derby is less assured than we realize.

Tap it to Win was beaten over 40 lengths when Maxfield won the Breeder's Futurity.

He was too busy defending Zenyatta's honor to have noticed that.

I guess you were asleep when Tap it to win it shaded 1:40 last week . Probably even got a good beyer number too no matter how insignificant that is .

I’m laughing again

You’re probably on to something with why they are really not running in the Belmont.

I just read they plan to breeze in the next few days “depending on the weather.” And that he’s “been doing great since he ran, just super,” according to Walsh.

I wish reporters could actually ask trainers questions like why hasn’t he breezed in 17 days if he’s doing super, but that’s a whole other conversation.

If he’s really doing super and they are purposely avoiding a triple crown race where he’s second choice at worst...it makes no sense. Especially with a horse who has made 3 lifetime starts midway through his 3 year old season.

Hearing that Maxfield is out.

non-life-threatening condylar fracture of his right front cannon bone

https://twitter.com/DRFMcGee/status/1270717152471838722

Marty McGee ~ @DRFMcGee: Maxfield is OUT of the #KyDerby after suffering a non-life-threatening condylar fracture of his right front cannon bone following a breeze at #Keeneland, per @brenpwalsh and Jimmy Bell of @godolphin. Colt to undergo surgery with Dr. Larry Bramlage today. Walsh: "Devastating."

Hmmm...

And, Wells Bayou out with bone bruising..

Dropping like flies. That Gulfstream 9th race today may have at least three in derby now

They should call it the Wood at Belmont, and make the Belmont later in the year.

Will be interesting if Sole Volante will run back next weekend after running today. He looked good, not great. Not a bunch of killers in this group other than Tiz the Law though.

Hope Max Player runs well.
Has Linda Rice ever had a horse run in the triple crown?

Kid Cruz, 2014 Preakness

BELMONT STAKES

Tiz the Law (Manny Franco/Barclay Tagg)
Sole Volante (Luca Panici/Patrick Biancone)
Dr Post (Irad Ortiz Jr./Todd Pletcher)
Farmington Road (Javier Castellano/Todd Pletcher)
Max Player (Joel Rosario/Linda Rice)
Tap It to Win (John Velazquez/Mark Casse)
Pneumatic (Ricardo Santana Jr./Steve Asmussen)
Jungle Runner (Reylu Gutierrez/Steve Asmussen)
Modernist (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott)
Fore Left (Jose Ortiz/Doug O'Neill)

Why is a horse like Modernist, a well-bred major winner in seemingly good form based on a strong workout at Belmont still on the fence for this race?

Is the owner holding out for an appearance fee or something?

Was a strange quote from Mott.. "Thinking Ohio Derby but he worked so well.."

It makes little sense. I’m confused why a $1 million 9 furlong race has only drawn 8 entries.

Well at least there's a plausible alternative (that only made sense a couple weeks ago when the Belmont was loaded) as opposed to waiting for races 5 weeks down the road (Blue Grass, Haskell).

Not that I advocate or worry about these things, but if Modernist's connections are interested in solidifying the horse's stallion resume (and they ought to with his deep bloodlines) they wouldn't have to worry ever again if he could spring the upset on Saturday.

As far as I know, breeders, consignors, bloodstock agents, and buyers don't put an asterisks on black type from western Canada, Puerto Rico, or the Midwest so I doubt there will be one for the 2020 Belmont Stakes...

Fore Left (O'Neill) added to Belmont from Woody Stephens..

I think this is a great addition!!