John Ward

blackthroatedwind · #1 01-23-2008, 10:27 AM

In the summer of 2006 John Ward had three promising 3YOs in his barn......Strong Contender, Minister's Bid and Dr. Pleasure. At that time, against all reason and sanity, Mr. Ward declared that Dr. Pleasure was the best of the three.

Strong Contender beat Lawyer Ron a couple months later on that one's home ground in the Super Derby. OK, Minister's Bid was never much horse, but at least he won a race or two, I believe, earlier last year. Though, in typical Ward fashion he made very few starts. Strong Contender made very few as well.....as he broke down unfortunately.

Dr. Pleasure, you know, the best of the three? Oh, yeah, he's running in a NW1X at Gulfstream this week. One year and six months later he still hasn't won his first condition. That man is one hell of a judge of talent.

The Bid · #2 01-23-2008, 10:33 AM

One of the worst BTW, its criminal

King Glorious · #3 01-23-2008, 10:34 AM

I was thinking this very thing when I saw that horse entered. I was going to post about it but I figured that you would have just told me that he's accomplished more in the game than I have and I had no room to comment cause I was dead wrong and you would have brought up Indian Blessing again.

blackthroatedwind · #4 01-23-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I was thinking this very thing when I saw that horse entered. I was going to post about it but I figured that you would have just told me that he's accomplished more in the game than I have and I had no room to comment cause I was dead wrong and you would have brought up Indian Blessing again.

Hey, I'm just glad I am helping to keep your lunacy to a minimum.

Actually, I was thinking about this because of some of the grief I have seen various posters giving trainers like Lukas, Zito and Baffert on this site. Whether you like those guys or not, and I can respect people's right to criticize them for various things, there are a lot of people who seem to remain unscathed who are far more deserving of derision.

VOL JACK · #5 01-23-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

In the summer of 2006 John Ward had three promising 3YOs in his barn......Strong Contender, Minister's Bid and Dr. Pleasure. At that time, against all reason and sanity, Mr. Ward declared that Dr. Pleasure was the best of the three.

Strong Contender beat Lawyer Ron a couple months later on that one's home ground in the Super Derby. OK, Minister's Bid was never much horse, but at least he won a race or two, I believe, earlier this year. Though, in typical Ward fashion he made very few starts. Strong Contender made very few as well.....as he broke down unfortunately.

Dr. Pleasure, you know, the best of the three? Oh, yeah, he's running in a NW1X at Gulfstream this week. One year and six months later he still hasn't won his first condition. That man is one hell of a judge of talent.

If you took all the halters off the horses in his barn, he couldn't tell you which was which.
Just another countless example of a trainer that continually underacheives with millions in blue-blood stock.

Payson Dave · #6 01-23-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VOL JACK

If you took all the bridles off the horses in his barn, he couldn't tell you which was which.
Just another countless example of a trainer that continually underacheives with millions in blue-blood stock.

his wife may be the talent in that barn

blackthroatedwind · #7 01-23-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Payson Dave

his wife may be the talent in that barn

And, perhaps, the reason they have trouble keeping good help.

The Bid · #8 01-23-2008, 10:48 AM

Usually when there is a woman in there they find a way to know everything and chase off decent help.

Nothing against the ladies, just my observation

hurricanefrank · #9 01-23-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Actually, I was thinking about this because of some of the grief I have seen various posters giving trainers like Lukas, Zito and Baffert on this site. Whether you like those guys or not, and I can respect people's right to criticize them for various things, there are a lot of people who seem to remain unscathed who are far more deserving of derision.

I agree. But as you know that comes with the territory of being high profile trainers who love the limelight. Most bettors would recognize the faces of Lukas, Zito or Baffert in an instant; most, however, would not know John Ward if they sat across from him at a dinner table. As for Ward, since Monarchos he surely is one the most notable underachieveing trainers anywhere given the regal pedigrees John Oxley buys or breeds each year.

Kasept · #10 01-23-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bid

Usually when there is a woman in there they find a way to know everything and chase off decent help. Nothing against the ladies, just my observation

But Mrs. Ward is so warm.. so friendly.. so approachable.

Rileyoriley · #11 01-23-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

But Mrs. Ward is so warm.. so friendly.. so approachable.

I met Donna Ward in 2000. I found her to be very friendly.

PPerfectfan · #12 01-23-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bid

Usually when there is a woman in there they find a way to know everything and chase off decent help.

Nothing against the ladies, just my observation

Wow, that is the stupidest post I have ever seen!! I am sorry I am not trying to be ugly, but agian Wow. Should they take away our right to vote too?? Hey were you the guy that as we stood in the winners circle getting out picture taken after a horse trained by my mother broke the 25yr old track, and was horse of the year "Hey Wayne, are you finally gonna get a man trainer now?".........

Kasept · #13 01-23-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

I met Donna Ward in 2000. I found her to be very friendly.

You did better than I do then... I think I've gotten one 'Good morning' out of her in the last 7 years at Saratoga.

letswastemoney · #14 01-23-2008, 12:27 PM

when is minister's bid racing again

Payson Dave · #15 01-23-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasept

You did better than I do then... I think I've gotten one 'Good morning' out of her in the last 7 years at Saratoga.

you just gotta offer to nibble a bit on her ear ....it drives her wild and she will be putty in your hands forever after..

Rileyoriley · #16 01-23-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Payson Dave

you just gotta offer to nibble a bit on her ear ....it drives her wild and she will be putty in your hands forever after..

Somehow I don't think that will win Steve any points with Donna Ward.

The Bid · #17 01-23-2008, 12:42 PM

PP. Sometimes they can corrupt the chemistry of a barn, especially if they come down hard on the help. I mean this with no disprespect, just an observation that I have noticed on more than one occasion.

Of course I think you should be able to vote

I wish you and your mother continued success. There are obviously some women who are very good at what they do.

cakes44 · #18 01-23-2008, 01:05 PM

Iron my shirt.

Bobby Fischer · #19 01-23-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Dr. Pleasure, you know, the best of the three? Oh, yeah, he's running in a NW1X at Gulfstream this week. One year and six months later he still hasn't won his first condition. That man is one hell of a judge of talent.

Who do you like in the race? Do you give Kaplan's gelding any shot at a decent slice the purse?

pgiaco · #20 01-23-2008, 01:35 PM

Mr. and Mrs. Ward will be signing copies of their book "How to Win a N1X With an $800,000 Yearling" at Borders later tonight.