Yawn: More Johannesburg Star Non-News
 

From Dave Grening's article in Wednesday's DRF....

Johannesburg Star sent to Florida
By DAVID GRENING
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Johannesburg Star, the beaten favorite in the Count Fleet Stakes, was shipped from Aqueduct to south Florida over the weekend and will be pointed to the Grade 2, $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 3 at Gulfstream Park. Johannesburg Star had been pointing to Saturday's Whirlaway Stakes here.

The horse was transported by van on Saturday from Joe Parker's Aqueduct barn to Collin Maragh's Gulfstream barn. Shivananda Parbhoo, the son of owner Bisnath Parboo, said the change of plans came as a result of the brutally cold weather that has enveloped the Northeast and that is forecast for the remainder of the week.

"You could see him in the cold, even in the stall you could see him shaking," Parbhoo said Monday morning from south Florida. "I know this week coming up it's going to be freezing. The cold was really getting to him, we could see it. I have nothing against Joe Parker; he still trains horses for me."

Said Parker, "It's a business. You can't get upset with this thing."

Here's the link to the entire story....


http://www.drf.com/news/article/82381.html



I know, I'm the only one keeping this non-story alive ( along with the hardest working man in racing....Dave Grening ) but there's just something about it, like a car wreck, that I can't look away.

The mystery deepens.

New to board. Life long fan of racing. No better place to start than in this thread. Not selling Johannesburg Star when connections had the chance could go down as one of the biggest follies in racing history. Speed biased maiden breaking win and inability to get past Pink Viper in last means of board finish in Florida in my opinion. Do have interest in Lawrence the Roman on Saturday but one to watch might be Sir Whimsey who had questionable ride/trip vs JS in last

Agree about Sir Whimsey getting a questionable ride, though with the addition of Sports Town and Summer Doldrums this spot could be much tougher, but I am wondering why you would like Lawrence the Roman who took advantage of the same speed bias in his recent wins that Johannesburg Star used to create his phony aura?

I also agree about the foolishness of not selling Johanesburg Star for any even mildly significant price though I think the " feeling " around here is that they never received an offer even close to the ones they claimed were made.

Prado is flying up for the mount, isn't he?

He misses the cold.

Really? Two back 'Lawrence' sat off the pace and then made a move on the turn on what appeared to be an off track.. last out, he did shoot right to the lead. I don't know how the track was playing those two days, I'll take your word that a speed bias was there. So I guess the jury is still out (to me). I just watched all 3 of his races, I haven't seen him do much wrong so far!

lol... I'm sure he does. South Florida weather is so boring this time of year.

He's also beaten less than nobody.

His last win was a bias enhanced joke, much like Magna Graduate's phony Queen's County win and Johanesburg Star's fake maiden win, but not having his pps available I can't comment on the other races.

He may be OK but he has a dressed up look based on, at least, his last win. However, without all the pps in front of us it's hard to have any kind of objective opinion.

Yeah, that's the hardest part about judging the quality of younger horses, most of the time they're facing questionable competition leading up to the bigger races.

Appreciate info on Lawrence the Roman. Unaware of biases he has used to his advantage in past couple races. Also agree that Summer Doldrums is an include on tickets as well. Allowance score impressive and actually was my top pick in Pink Viper win although connections scratch. My worry is did allowance get to bottom of him that day or is he devloping rapidly. Either way he must duplicate form but it is possible

Summer Doldrums is sharp as a tack right now. But Prado coming up to ride LTR is intriguing. Not sure LTR used bias in first two starts but definately used it his last. Should be interesting race for Aqu Inner at this time

Who's this Johannesburg Star you speak of? Will I be hearing about him again next week?

Winter coat.

Some horses just don't do well in the cold (with or without their winter coat.)