Discreet Cat makes huge statement in comeback
 

Joel Cunningham
Wire to Wire Editor

Discreet Cat reminded the racing public Friday afternoon that he too is one of the best of his generation by rolling to a seemingly effortless 11-length victory over a helpless group of allowance horses at Saratoga.

Fittingly, this dominating victory in his return to the races after a four-month hiatus comes on the eve of the Sheiks’ top 3-year-old performer – Bernardini – who will hold high expectations for the Dubai charge when he competes in the Travers (G1) as the prohibitive horse to beat.

After breaking well and settling wide down the backstretch, Discreet Cat, with jockey Garrett Gomez like a statue in the saddle, cruised up to the leaders under his own courage with a very wide run, and then the show was on. The brilliant son of Forestry swept to the lead with ridiculous ease and looked immortal as he kicked away from his overmatched rivals while in a gallop to the wire – very much like stablemate Bernardini did in the Jim Dandy (G2) a month ago.

Discreet Cat, the odds-on 2-5 gamble, stopped the clock in an eye-popping 1:21.53 for the seven furlongs over a fast but relatively ‘dead’ Saratoga main track.

It was an experience that had Gomez in awe after dismounting the stellar colt.

“I felt I had ridden some nice horses,” he quipped, as if to suggest that Discreet Cat may be the best he has climbed aboard. “He’s just a beautiful horse. I didn’t ask him to do anything; he did it effortlessly. If anything, I was trying to keep him idled down. When I pulled up, I told the outrider that he probably went in 1:22 or 1:23 because of the way the track has been. When I saw the teletimer, I was surprised.”

Undefeated and unchallenged in four career starts, Discreet Cat, easy winner of the Group 2 UAE Derby in Dubai in March in his last start, enjoyed a successful comeback on nearly the anniversary he impressively captured his career debut at the famous Saratoga Springs oval. It was after that race that he was privately purchased by Darley.

“He actually surprised me with how much speed he showed because we didn’t ask him for any in the morning," said Rick Mettee, assistant to winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “We just gave him steady moves. We wanted to teach him something today, so Garrett (Gomez, jockey) took him off the pace. There were some solid older horses, so I was happy he went by them as easy as he did.”

“This gives us five weeks to the Jerome [Grade 2, $150,000-added Jerome Breeders’ Cup Handicap, 3yos, one mile, Belmont Park, Saturday, October 7], and that one-turn mile at Belmont Park should be a good trip,” he added about the colt’s next highly-anticipated start. “I doubt you’ll see him in the Breeders’ Cup [Saturday, November 4, Churchill Downs] this year; first things first. We’ll go in the Jerome and see how he comes out. He won easier than I thought he would. It’s a weight off our shoulders to get him back.”

Just curious why you are the leading Godolphin sycophant.

Joel,

I really think you should try to get a job with Darley/Godolphin.

I'm serious.

In case you guys hadn't noticed or don't get it yet. The reason I play up Pletcher is to act as an American representative and "foil" To Joel's Godolphin act.
As a proud American, I always root for the American. Which is the way it should be of course.

Ummm, they already have a lotta suckups, perhaps he could be a camel tuneup guy.

By the way, your operation got their balls handed to them again when Todd Pletcher's Fleet Indian absolutely urinated on Balletto. Imagine that, a "lowly" NY bred humiliates the best that money can buy. Thats great!!!! Stick that in that your non US supporting traitorous ass why don't you buddy boy!!!!

Weren't you the guy who has occasionally suggested toning down the rhetoric here? Nice example.

That has to be one of the stupidest posts I've ever had the displeasure of reading.

I, too, am tired of Cunningham's repeated posts of how wonderful the Godolphin/Darley horses are this year. (almost as tiring as Bold B's claim to have "discovered" Bernardini!) But to turn this into US vs THEM is sick. I guess I'm a traitor, too, because Ouija Board is my fav active runner, and by jove, she's not based here in the good ol' US.

--Dunbar

Santos could have been charged with grand theft-G1 race for his ride on Fleet Indian. 25.62 50.67 1:15.21, then she sprints home. Balletto, a confirmed closer these days, never had a chance, ran a good race notwithstanding. Presumable there will be somebody to set a race-horse pace next time these two meet. May not change the outcome, daughter of Cal-bred Indian Charlie might still win.

Discreet Cat's race yesterday reminded me strongly of Officer's good races: inhale the field in a few strides on the turn, and then increase the margin to the wire while geared down. After Officer had done that five times in a row, including the G1 Champagne, nobody could see how he could possibly lose the BC Juvie. Not trying to be negative, just have had my heart broken a few too many times by horses to go into transports after only 4 lifetime races, 3 of them against average competition.

The only time I root for Americans to lose is in the Ryder Cup because I cant stand the American men (save for Tiger) and all their little Stepford wives. I find them and the way they act unbearable. I almost feel sorry for them.

Hey George W. loves the sheiks and look how he turned out? Keep up the good work, Richie. Just remember there is a fine line between George W. and John Walker Lindh.

WTF is going on with all of this elevated rhetoric lately about which posters are un-American? It's childish. I liked this board a lot better when we just gave each other crap about picks.

I agree. I actually posted a response to Oracle because I don't relish being called a traitor, but I removed it because I just didn't want to get into it. If he wants to equate world politics to racing, that's his business. Me? I just love the horses and couldn't care less what part of the world their owners are from.

If the D Cat was an american horse, he'd get as much annoying press as Barbaro. I kind of like him being off the radar.

I'm not...just using observations along with realistic prognostications based on what I am seeing to convey what I believe to be a potentially enormous second half of the year for the Shieks in North America....I'm just reporting what I see, not 'rooting for my team' - so to speak.....Yes, I like Discreet Cat, Bernardini and Henny Hughes....so what is wrong with that? I enjoy star power....I can't help it....I watch racing a lot more than the average person, so when i see horses like these that do extraordinary things, it captivates me....I am a fan of the sport and i get giddy when I see horses with the profile of the aforementioned group turn in brilliant perfornances...so sue me :D

I don't understand why people think I'm on their payroll or critisize me for rooting for these stars of the game...I really don't....

I guess there are just people out there that hate when the big guys win...they hate when the Yankees win..they hate when Tiger wins, etc. - and i can respect the underdog, little guy spirit....but please don't confuse me with somebody that is out to endorse and support the Shieks...I am just a fan of the game reporting what i see.....I have been predicting a huge second half of the year from them since Bernardini won the Preakness..

There goes Mike again...I knew he couldn't contain himself for long until he self-destructed....i know your kind all to well....lit really is a shame the miserable life you must lead...

I'm disappointed in you....Your persoanl insults are unecesary and over the top...I'll have to let Mr. Byk know the behavior that is still being put out on his forum because when I agreed with him that I'd post some of my editorials on his site I told him that I wouldn't otu up with personal attacks and this is the second one from you in a few months...

Frankly, I think you're a loser and my assesment of you is pretty accurate from what I hear from many who know you or know of you...get a life....you clearly came home after losing all your money at the track and decided to take your rage out on somebody in a chat room that wasn't of the same op-inion as yours and you should be ashamed of yourself....I am making general obseravtios and that is my job, as an analyst and a fan...

BTW, Fleet Indian was a cinch...handicapping 101....lone speed in a short field....balletto will beat her next time out with the right pace scenario, I promise you that....I bet Fleet indian - balletto straight EX because i knew just like everyone else that can handicap how the race would run....Fleet indian is no superstar...as a matter of fact she is 3rd string in that barn ior pletcher wouldn't have campaigned her at the second-hand venues that he did all yaer up until yesterday.....she's not much mare, but she is a GRade 1 winner now so pletcher did well with having her overachieve...

As for you, I will just go back to ignoring you from now on....I thought that your blow-up earlier this summer may have been a one-time thing, but it is clearly a habit from a really insecure and low-life individual..

Unpatriotic...hah....you are a sick man...patriotism derives from Wars, buying American products, etc....It has nothing to do with the horses you root for you idiot. Can you grasp that? I guess you are just one of the smug New York racists that the world could use less of.....I have to say that I'm disappointed...

Damn Joel,

If you are gonna come on here and represent yourself as a writer, why not make sure you don't make spelling and grammar errors.....

here is another example of this from a post of yours on one of the many Discreet Cat threads.

[QUOTE}I NO, I'M TAKING UP FOR THE SHIEKS AND NO THEY DON'T PAY ME A DIME..I WISH THEY DID BECAUSE I WOULD BE MUCH RICHER...:D[/quote]

How in the hell can you actually type "I NO"

I think your writing is pretty good, but your credibility suffers in my opinion when you mangle sentences in your posts.

This is definitely not a personal attack like Oracle's, but if you are representing yourself as a writer, that demands clarity and error-free writing. Do you not agree?

I can accept that some of these are just typing errors, but "I NO...." come on?

I didn't say i was the best typer on earth..as a matter of fact i am not....and i never check my osts for selluing or grammar errors because it is a waste of time.....I don't have to be credible in this forum, as long as I am in the forum that pays me...

btw, CR, so far you were pretty much right on the money with saying that Godolphin/Darley would dominate the big races in the 2nd half of the year. My only complaint was that you were repeating that prediction every chance you got. But I can't complain about the accuracy of it. Those horses ran beautifully this weekend.

--Dunbar

Id love to work for Godolphin one day that would be my dream job, or doing something with Dallham Stud in England

He was right on and you have to hand it to him, he said it would happen.
But I agree, it's the repetition and the sheer giddiness about it that strike me as odd.

It is like he is a part of their harem

Who cares? A horse doesn't know what background his/her owner comes from. I root for who I think is the best horse, plain and simple.

Joel,

You really do need to chill out, though. It is very unprofessional of YOU to be a hypocrite and point out that others in the business may not like Oracle. Why did you feel the need to post that? It's a shame that you can't grow some balls and stick up for yourself without putting another person down... disappointing... :(

And its professional of the oral guy to come and attack Joel? Thats hilarious. Joel responded to being attacked but you act like the oral80 guy is beyond reproach. Amazing.

Joel-

For the record, your stuff is the best on this forum. Keep it up!

If you go through and read all of the posts, it has really gotten quite ridiculous on this board. Both the posters are personally attacking each other, and quite frankly, I think everyone is getting fed up. Trust me, you probably don't want to get into this unless you really like to stir the pot. However, if you do like to stir the pot, now would be the time to go for it. I'm staying out of it. I'd rather much talk about horse racing than point out other human beings flaws in character.

Since Joel is criticizing someone else for being a certain way, wouldn't you call it hypocritical for him to do the same damn thing? Correct me if I'm wrong, please. Also, Joel didn't respond to being attacked by sticking up for himself... he did the exact opposite in fact. He tried to make someone else look stupid (even if Oracle DOES go overboard.) So, you're saying that it's ok for Joel to do that as a professional because Oracle did it as well? That's mature.

No, whats symptomatic on this board is the attitude that everything that the oral guy does is okay and if you respond then you are out of line. Its like he's the lord of the flies and everyone just follows for fear that he may attack you next.

Joel is his own man. Oralguy has attacked him repeatedly over the last few days so he responded. I see you calling Joel out but why not the oral guy?

i learn a lot from all the posters on this board. maybe not each and every post, but overall i enjoy, and learn from the horse racing dialogue.

Because I expect MORE of Joel than that. That's why. Most of the posters on this board are aware of Oracle's outbursts and know that he hardly ever means anything from them. For Joel to call out Mike like that and degrade him in his line of business on a public message board... well, let's just say that I expect more out of him. I respect BOTH of their opinions (at different times), but in this situation, I think that Joel was out of line by bringing business into the conversation. JMO.

As a "proud american" shouldnt you support the freedom of speech right we have in America?

Joel was out of line for responding to constant attacks but the attacker wasnt out of line because you "expect more" from Joel? That makes a TON of sense. So basically, Joel gets penalised because he is usually a nice guy but Oralguy80 is given a free pass because he always does it.

Joel is human just like the rest of us. Oralguy has questioned his credibility amongst a few other swipes in the last couple of months. He also threatened him in another thread. How could he not respond?

Joel is passionate and he is well versed. I dont always agree but he is a joy to read. But the only thing i expect out of him is to be human and i dont expect any more or less out of him than i do the oralguy or anyone else.

I guess my expectations for him are higher than yours are for him...

He is young, well versed and we share a few things in common. I can't make much sense on a message board (it's tough), but basically, I expected SOMEONE to be the mature adult in the situation and it happened to be Joel. Sorry if I offended you.

Oh Cajon....you disappoint me here. How can you hold person A to certain standards and person B to other standards. If both people are professionals in the business then you should hold them to the same standards. Oracle sinks way below my standards and Joe has sunk as well. Just because someone has a reputation for acting a certain doesnt mean you have to accept that behavior. Hold both people to the same standards. Most people on this board are in the business and we all should be held and judge by the same set of professional standards.

Oh Cajon....you disappoint me here. How can you hold person A to certain standards and person B to other standards. If both people are professionals in the business then you should hold them to the same standards. Oracle sinks way below my standards and Joe has sunk as well. Just because someone has a reputation for acting a certain way doesnt mean you have to accept that behavior. Hold both people to the same standards. Most people on this board are in the business and we all should be held and judge by the same set of professional standards.

AMEN!!!!!!

Read my above post, Euro.

I haven't read Mike's posts the past few days (I've been out of town), but where did he make a mockery of Joel in a professional manner? That's all I was referring to. If he did, I apologize. The only complaint I had against Joel was the fact that he inferred that the people Mike works with have a problem with him. I didn't understand why he said that, but if Mike said something in a similar capacity, then I didn't read that.

Again Cajun, you have set two different set of standards to two people who are professionals. You have to expect and demand that both people act like adults. Just because one person consistanly act likes a child it doesnt mean that that person gets a free pass on their behavior. Just because another person always takes the high road doesnt mean that person also gets a free pass when they slip and take the low road. In this case, the two people involved are wrong and I am disappointed in both.

I agree with that Euro. BUT, I'm still disappointed in Joel because I think he should have kept to his higher standards. :p

LOL

By the way, what did you guys think about Discreet Cat? I say that is the horse to beat.

I am not real big on comparing times by horses who ran in two different races on two different days--but wasnt Discreet Cats time better than Henny Hughes for the 7 furlongs?

Well he took Invasor to the woodshed and his return off the layoff was very impressive. I just hope they run him in the BC Sprint or Classic. Doesn't matter which race.

I couldnt imagine them running Bernardini and Discreet Cat in the classic. But you never know. Be interesting to see DC in the sprint. Heck 3 year olds could sweep this years BC races (with the exception of the two 2 year old races).