9/20 (SUF): 66th Massachusetts Handicap

[Norfolk]

66th MASSACHUSETTS HANDICAP

$500,000 Guaranteed
1 & 1/8 Miles
Saturday, September 20, Approximate Post Time: 5:45 p.m.

Post - Horse, Jockey, Morning Line

1 - Beck and Call, Tammi Piermarini, 20-1
2 - Commentator, John Velazquez, 3-5
3 - Won Awesome Dude, Casey Lambert, 8-1
4 - Cuba, Pedro Cotto Jr., 6-1
5 - Volcanic Force, Clifford Dooley, 20-1
6 - Dr. Pleasure, Cornelio Velasquez, 7-2
7 - Riversrunrylee, Pedro Gonzalez, 15-1

Past Performance
http://grantracingstable.com/mass_cap_pps.pdf

[XIIPointStables]

Nice of Asmussen to reportedly promise to send at least one of the four horses he nominated - Pyro, Student Council, Zanjero and Magna Graduate - and send zero.

Besides Commentator, nothing to get excited about there. I'm still going but disappointed in the final field.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by XIIPointStables

Nice of Asmussen to reportedly promise to send at least one of the four horses he nominated - Pyro, Student Council, Zanjero and Magna Graduate - and send zero.

Besides Commentator, nothing to get excited about there. I'm still going but disappointed in the final field.

That's the first thing I noticed when I read the entries, in remembering that last week Asmussen said one would be coming. I wonder why. I'd say there is a fair story for that side, but it's Asmussen so I don't throw him much rope.

I'll be there too, but also disappointed in the field. Suffolk is doing a lot to turn things around, and I think they were counting on a dynamite field in this year's Mass Cap, so hopefully another year will bring that.

[SuffolkGirl]

I, too am disappointed in the field. I know Suffolk was working really hard to put together a good field. I hope there are no scratches as it is already a small field.

I will be there, Grandstand Box 1 right at the finish line.

Good luck to all

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Hard to blame anyone decent for not wanting to run against Commentator in a rich ungraded stake at a time in the calender where so many graded stakes with comically weak fields and rich Graded races are going to be run for 3yos and up going long on the dirt over the next 3 or 4 weeks.

Hopefully something goes on a suicide mission and takes it to Commentator early. He's struggled tremendously with pressure in the past - but it doesn't mean he always will.

A horse like Fabulous Strike was the king on numbers with no pressure last year - but struggled with it - until he answered the question in a huge way in the Vosburgh at 9/2.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Hard to blame anyone decent for not wanting to run against Commentator in a rich ungraded stake at a time in the calender where so many graded stakes with comically weak fields and rich Graded races are going to be run for 3yos and up going long on the dirt over the next 3 or 4 weeks.

Hopefully something goes on a suicide mission and takes it to Commentator early. He's struggled tremendously with pressure in the past - but it doesn't mean he always will.

A horse like Fabulous Strike was the king on numbers with no pressure last year - but struggled with it - until he answered the question in a huge way in the Vosburgh at 9/2.

Did Fabulous Strike ever reappear?

What if Commentator wins the BCC ? Is he then horse of the year ? I know a lot of ppl on here bash my love for Commentator, but at this point i dont think him winning the Classic is that big of a stretch.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by hrfan

I know a lot of ppl on here bash my love for Commentator, but at this point i dont think him winning the Classic is that big of a stretch.

On the contrary. I think he would need a very short stretch to win the BC Classic...

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

On the contrary. I think he would need a very short stretch to win the BC Classic...

I think he's legit, he can rate going long, that will be the key.