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If they are serious about the BC Classic, shouldnt they consider open company before the biggie? Assmusen thas sayed, he thinks the 3yr olds are the best in training now. So isnt it time to step up your game.?

They will right after Labor Day. Gold Cup and others will have them facing elders before the Breeder's Cup. I doubt any serious contender will go into the BC without having a go at the top older horses. Who cares about what Assmusen does, my money has him being suspended again before the BC anyway. ;)

Not exactly an awe inspiring group of older handicap horses to go against this year. Kind of like last season when Bernardini romped against a sad bunch in his only tuneup against older horses before the BC.

If the $$$$$$$$ is there it is a nobrainer.

Right now on the horizon you still have the Travers with a purse of $1,000,000 and a Grade I, the Pennsylvania Derby with a purse of $1,000,000 and a Grade II, and the Super Derby with a purse of $1,000,000 should one of the Triple Crown winners show up and a Grade II.

With the older horses looking so bad, there's no reason to rush into a race against older horses. Besides, what are the options besides the Jockey Club Gold Cup?

Nt

one can hope.....certainly wouldn't surprise to see him laid off again.

woodward, pacific classic are two that come to mind.

The Pacific Classic is irrelevant to anyone outside California who has a 3YO because of both the timing of the race and now Polytrack. It also comes up on very short notice in terms of positioning behind races like the Haskell and Jim Dandy.

The Woodward is way too close to the Travers to be considered for 3YO. I was talking about feasible races for 3YO this year and the big ones are highly unlikely to run in the Woodward or Pacific Classic.

NT

i don't know that the pacific classic is irrelevant. altho some don't like the poly, others do. it was only a few years ago that came home went out there and won that race. surely a race of that stature isn't irrelevant?

also, not all the horses aimed for the dandy and haskell-or are now aiming for the travers. lots of big money to go around.

but then, i think this years pac classic will be ignored by 3 yo's as lava man is so dominant in so cal--and is proven on poly.

i really was just tossing a couple out there, was hoping to see some other ideas as well.

I agree- the bottom line is that the options for trainers are better in terms of keeping their horses against horses their own age.

I wonder what's going to happen when Nafzger, Asmussen, and Pletcher realize that they all may be pointing to the Jockey Club Gold Cup like David Grening's article said today. I bet then they'll be making alternate arrangements.

NT