Gio Ponti has every right to be the favorite in the Million and considering his consistency and versatility I think the Euros would have to send over a pretty strong contingent.

The American turf horses last year were a disaster and that's what contributed most of all to Spirit One's Million win and Conduit's BC Turf win. I mean, who was the best American turf horse in the BC Turf last year? Grand Couturier? Dancing Forever? Oh God.

NT

Has the strongest late kick around and, now, a jock that will also certainly time it perfectly every time out

Has just demonstrated that he can win with a wide, no cover, circle trip in a paceless race -- the hardest trip there is
and

that he can 'get the distance'

Bring them on -- would love to see him knock heads with some of those draft happy late running Euro's on a course that throws cavalry charges

I just want to thank some of the previous riders on this horse for having ****ED UP so many of his rides. It's a hard thing to do, getting a horse this good beat as often as he was.

Will be fascinating to see whether he can deal with a Presicous Passion on a fast track.

Obcourse I have the contrarian viewpoint again, while admitting Gio Ponti's performance was probably one of the better one's this past weekend, he outfooted the average Musketier to the finish line, I am fairly certain there will be tougher shippers on Arlington Million day than a longshot from Roger Attfield's barn from the north.

Agree.

* * *


http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...on/608121/top/

You and me against the world kiddo...well I think I am older than you.

:) :D

Narrowing it down to him beating Musketier is a terribly skewed way to look at the race. It ignores an extremely important element like the respective trips of the two versus some other competitors in the race. It also ignores the fact that in three races Gio Ponti has now beaten the mare who was regarded as one of, if not the best miler in America at a mile, a bulky field in the Manhattan that included a long list of Grade I winners at 10 furlongs and another strong lineup with two more European paper tigers, both of whom had outstanding trips and were flat in the stretch at 11 furlongs.

NT

I wasn't impressed with either the Europeans in the Man O War, I know where you are coming from and honestly I look fwd to these betting opportunities. Ie. BC last yr. for instance. Again while I concur GP overcame a trip that is not recognized enough over here by alot of handicappers(lack of cover) he will be overbet off of that trip against a mediocre 2nd place finisher and a third place horse renowned for finishing on the fridges in graded company. He's a good horse but at 2-1 or less off a performance that is not as good as most believe in my opinion, I will gladly go shopping for abit of value.

Was this what you were doing yesterday at FE at 8:5 and whining about afterwards?:rolleyes:

I was impressed with the way Gio routed the opposition this weekend! We'll most likely send better horses over than Chinchon and Quijano (CIma de Triomphe would be for example) but they would certainly need to be. Should be a very interesting race!

I think you were referring to me liking the filly a statement made at 10AM on Sunday morning, I am very sure I didn't say I was betting her at 1-5, 2-5 or even money for that fact. I simply said I liked her and given a 15/1 shot beat her by a nose with the 2 other most logical horses behind her, I think it was the correct assessment.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...610295/latest/

Cima De Triomphe going for the King George next week rather than Arlington. It may stay at home this year!!

Let's see who shows up this yr, I suspect this race isn't as attractive to the Euro's as in yrs. past and even then you have Aiden O'Brien sending the second stringers ie. Powerscourt among others...No High Chaparral's that's a certain.

Cima could be back in the Million picture


http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...al_143133.html

Sounds like he is coming, book it. If Gio Ponti and Cima run their best races, I'll put my money on Cima everytime at what most likely will be much better odds than GP.