English Channel ducking the big boys??
 

This outta fire up GPK! :D Seriously though, I can understand why they're keeping him at the Spa.




http://drf.com/news/article/77094.html

Makes a ton of sense, really...I like him staying stretched out..

Pletcher is the best for a reason...I question nothing he does.

I agree.. I'm kinda glad EC and Cacique can go their seperate ways for now.

me too....would love to now see Cacique win the Million and just flatter EC even more.

Me too! :)

Kev, Cacique has only finished 2nd to him, yes twice but once with a load of traffic trouble. EC finished off the board in the Manhatten. Jury is out on who is better.

I realize off the board is still off the board, but he was beaten what, 1/2 length?

and the Manhatten was an incredibily slow paced race, where IMO EC was a bit rank in the early going of that race.

Regardless of distance and shipping, I think Pletcher is smart to keep him away from the Arlington Million. There are a few horses in there that could possibly donkey work English Channel and Cacique.

I would keep EC at home too, and get the easy check.

The euros that are coming can work English Channel, and I'm not saying that with even a tinge of hatefulness GPK.

Good luck to Cacique in that one......he will need it.

I think the little filly who is running in the Beverly D named Rising Cross could beat EC and Cacique.

Hey bro, I know your not saying that with any hatefulness, because it's the truth. I think it's apparent that I am probably the biggest EC fan on the planet, but I am no where near foolish enough to believe that he is better than some of those Euros. Only an idiot would believe that. Anytime I have ever talked about him being the best, I also say in the US or North America. EC would have to run the race of his life to even think of beating some of those big boys from across the pond. I'm not sure what Euros are coming over for the BC this year, but no one is more ecstatic about that race than me. I think he did himself very proud in last years BC Turf (5th place) in being the top finishing American horse in that race....as a 3YO. I talked alot over the winter about how great I really thought he was gonna be this year as a 4YO and he has done NOTHING TO DISSAPOINT ME. He is tons better than he was last year and thats why I can't wait for the BC. One thing for sure, I will be able to get some kind of price on him in that race and I will place my usual $100 win bet on him and scream like crazy during the race as they are coming for home.:D

I think he is really good too Kev, and have followed him since he broke his maiden impressively. I think Pletcher is really smart here to stay away and poor Cacique might not know what he is in for. Watch for the little filly from the Epsom Oaks running in the Beverly D that day, she is a running little thing. RISING CROSS

Will do Mood. Thanks for the heads up my friend.

but couldn't you cover the first five horses with a baby blanket?

Zippy thats really an inaccurate take on the situation. Its a long year and EC will still have the Turf Classic and the BC Turf to run in. The Arlington Million is a great race, but when it was conceived there was no Breeders Cup. It was the Breeders Cup before the Cup was invented. A brilliant creation which brought Euros to our country to face our very best for a lot of money. Its created spectacular finishes and awesome races. The problem is that the race is a real gut-wrencher. Having to ship there and face not only the great American horses but the Euros as well has caused more than one horse to bounce the rest of the year.
EC is already a grade one winner. By keeping him at home and not having to ship to face a hard field, they won't wring him out and save some horse for the two biggies that follow. Its just an excellent move in management by a trainer who manages his horses and plots things as well as anyone. To get to a goal, you define the goal and work BACKWARDS in planning, not forwards. Obviosly they are working backwards from the BC Turf and trying to get him there with the best possible chance of winning. Todd's the sharpest knife in the drawer, that i can assure you.

"The Secretariat was a hard race to gauge," Pletcher said. "He was on the lead, and he doesn't prefer that. He ran okay, it just wasn't his best race, and makes you wonder if you need to try that again."


Humm....someone has been saying that since that race was over last year.....

You just had surgery, quit patting yourself on the back you may hurt it again:eek:

I am very excited English Channel stays here. Should be the premier race of the meet (in my opinion). Even if the rest of the card isnt all that great, you still have simulcasting from the big day at Arlington. I'm looking forward to next Saturday.

You just had surgery, quit patting yourself on the back you may hurt it again

LOL! Kev still claims hes the biggest Surf Cat fan on here. How soon he forgets who knew and loved Surf Cat since his very first start!

I've been around long enough to know the truth!

You used to love Cosmos Mariner too...is he still running, saw him win at the Big A in the late winter.