7/12 (BEL): Man O' War (Gr. I)

ateamstupid · #1 07-10-2008, 02:25 PM

9th (5:15) Man o' War S. (G1)

1 3/8 Miles (Inner turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $500,000

1 Better Talk Now Dominguez R A 120 L
2 Grand Couturier (GB) Borel C H 120 L
3 Mission Approved Cohen D 116 L
4 True Cause Maragh R 116 L
5 Sudan (IRE) Velazquez J R 120 L
6 Red Rocks (IRE) Castellano J J 116 Blk-On L
7 Curlin Albarado R J 116 L

The Indomitable DrugS · #2 07-10-2008, 02:41 PM

At least we won't have to hear Asmussen whine about the weights this time.

I'd have to think the conditions of the race are why they wanted him to run in this spot so bad - and why Shug didn't even bother to nominate Dancing Forever...who would have had to give away 7lbs to Curlin and 3lbs away to a pair of former BC Turf winners. Einstein would have also had to carry 123 in this spot.

Handicappy · #3 07-10-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

At least we won't have to hear Asmussen whine about the weights this time.

I'd have to think the conditions of the race are why they wanted him to run in this spot so bad - and why Shug didn't even bother to nominate Dancing Forever...who would have had to give away 7lbs to Curlin and 3lbs away to a pair of former BC Turf winners. Einstein would have also had to carry 123 in this spot.

Well hold on now. Assmussen will probably want his own outrider for Curlin, a new gate crew with more neutral attire and he's still interviewing for the race call. But I hear Durkin is ALMOST a shoe-in. I am excited about the horse and the race. But, once again, we are faced with having to ignore the connections.

Bobby Fischer · #4 07-10-2008, 07:13 PM

win or lose, looking forward to hearing Durkin say "Grand Cooteryay"

ALostTexan · #5 07-11-2008, 02:21 PM

I looked at my local newspaper today, and didn't see the race listed for the TV schedule tomorrow. I called the newspaper, and they said they only list the Triple Crown races, although I pointed out that they have the Delaware Handicap listed for Sunday an omitted the #1 rated horse in the world running tomorrow.

They said that they will put it in tomorrow, but we'll see...

ddthetide · #6 07-11-2008, 03:54 PM

the Man O'War is listed for ESPNNews at 5:15 tomorrow.

Scav · #7 07-11-2008, 11:54 AM

Does he have to win to go to the Arc?

I would have to say yes

texarkana · #8 07-11-2008, 12:15 PM

Asmussen says "no":

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/46041.htm

Quote:

If everything works out in the Man o’ War, a race Asmussen said Curlin doesn’t have to win but has to “look the best,” the colt would likely prep for the Arc in the Prix Foy (Fra-III) at Longchamp.

Although I think it's pretty far-fetched to believe he could lose to a field of has beens and still look good enough to be considered Arc material.

Scav · #9 07-11-2008, 12:16 PM

Glad that ESPNews is showing it, going to have to find it somewhere in Wrigleyville after the Cubs game, I am sure Cubbie Bear will have it on somewhere.....

brockguy · #10 07-11-2008, 12:18 PM

he gets 4 pounds off red rocks, i reckon if RR runs his race, Curlin would have to beat him by about 10 lengths to be considered a challanger for the Arc..

ArlJim78 · #11 07-11-2008, 12:27 PM

i'm curious if they have a plan B, should he not look the best. they've already implied that the BC classic is not interesting, because winning it back to back has already been done.

stonegossard · #12 07-11-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

Glad that ESPNews is showing it, going to have to find it somewhere in Wrigleyville after the Cubs game, I am sure Cubbie Bear will have it on somewhere.....

Go to Yaktzee's right across from the stadium. A good buddy of mine bartends there. They should be able to put ESPNews on a tv for ya.

Scav · #13 07-11-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Go to Yaktzee's right across from the stadium. A good buddy of mine bartends there. They should be able to put ESPNews on a tv for ya.

What side of Addison, north or south? I have never heard of it, although I have probably been in it

Thunder Gulch · #14 07-11-2008, 03:06 PM

Not necessarily win, but certainly must look like one of the best.

sumitas · #15 07-11-2008, 06:58 PM

A very interesting article on dirt to turf super stars here.
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...emy&id=3479881

Scurlogue Champ · #16 07-11-2008, 08:14 PM

If he doesn't go to the front, get the lead with some sensible fractions, and fight them off at the end, there is no way he wins.

Sudan will wire this field.

When Better Talk Now and co. start running, Curlin won't know what to do.

Has to go to the front...

hockey2315 · #17 07-11-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

If he doesn't go to the front, get the lead with some sensible fractions, and fight them off at the end, there is no way he wins.

Sudan will wire this field.

When Better Talk Now and co. start running, Curlin won't know what to do.

Has to go to the front...

WTF are you talking about? For the record - I'm not handing Curlin the win - and I'll play against him - but this makes no sense. Sudan isn't wiring the field for two reasons: 1. he sucks and 2. Mission Approved. He won't get the easy lead he got at Golden Gate and Mission Approved won't get the easy lead he got at Woodbine - so neither of them can capitalize on a pace advantage to make up for a significant talent disadvantage. Better Talk Now is obviously over the hill (even though he'll be the one I'll bet because his last was ok) and Red Rocks appears to be as well but still has a shot. Grand Couturier needs :46 and 1:11 to win and won't get that and the Darley horse is slow and has never run a competitive race. If Curlin takes to the turf - which isn't definite - it would take a throw-back effort by one of the two BC winners for him to not win by daylight. Whether or not he wins will have little to nothing to do with how the race is run barring some unforeseen anomaly.

CSC · #18 07-12-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scurlogue Champ

If he doesn't go to the front, get the lead with some sensible fractions, and fight them off at the end, there is no way he wins.

Sudan will wire this field.

When Better Talk Now and co. start running, Curlin won't know what to do.

Has to go to the front...

I too see this race as somewhat paceless, so Sudan should lead to atleast the top of the stretch, I've always been fond of Better Talk Now but I really see him up against it today without his pacesetter. This race looks like a perfect set up for Curlin, I don't see why he shouldn't handle the turf and if he can he should have first run from the true contenders. Red Rocks is a wildcard, despite his BC win I always thought he was a notch below the top europeans, he will take money mainly due to his reputation.

#19 07-11-2008, 08:14 PM

Is this not a great thing for racing? A really good dirt horse
who has proven himself trying another surface. Personally
I this experiment as terribly exciting. I really cant wait
to see how he performs.

miraja2 · #20 07-11-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgardn

Is this not a great thing for racing? A really good dirt horse
who has proven himself trying another surface. Personally
I this is experiment is terribly exciting. I really cant wait
to see how he performs.

I don't think anybody disagrees with that.