Noble's Promise: Did Willie Cost him at least a placing?

dalakhani · #1 05-02-2010, 04:52 PM

I don't know if this has been brought up in another thread but did anyone else think that Willie Martinez totally cost Noble's Promise at least a placing or maybe more in the derby? He was sitting in the garden spot maybe 4 lengths off the dueling leaders. For some inexplicable reason, he decides to start the horse midway around the turn. I don't need to repeat what happened but it looked to me like a terribly premature move.

The dueling leaders had carved out fractions of 22 and 46. Did he think they weren't going to come back especially considering the way the track was playing all day? His move also created the space for the winner to come through, saving ground the whole way.

Noble's Promise has a history of hanging when he makes the lead too soon. He also has a pedigree where distance is a concern.

If I were an owner or Mcpeek, I would be pretty upset and definitely looking to change my jockey for the next race.

santana · #2 05-02-2010, 04:55 PM

He had NO chance to get the distance...

Riot · #3 05-02-2010, 05:05 PM

I thought he did the best he could with the horse he had. Haven't read the post-game comments from any connections yet.

Rudeboyelvis · #4 05-02-2010, 05:10 PM

Nobles Promise = Sam P... A pathetically overrated allowance horse that everyone keeps making excuses for. Throw Dublin in that category as well.

dalakhani · #5 05-02-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Nobles Promise = Sam P... A pathetically overrated allowance horse that everyone keeps making excuses for. Throw Dublin in that category as well.

He has been in 5 grade 1 races now and has earned a check in every one. Whether he can get a classic distance is another subject but he has proven he belongs at this level. No?

Danzig · #6 05-02-2010, 05:26 PM

at the level, yes. distance, probably not. is anyone really surprised a son of cuvee didn't hit the board at 1 1/4? i think 1 1/16th is as far as he wants. never off the board til he ran past that in arkansas and then yesterday.

Rudeboyelvis · #7 05-02-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalakhani

He has been in 5 grade 1 races now and has earned a check in every one. Whether he can get a classic distance is another subject but he has proven he belongs at this level. No?

It's funny no one was bitching about WM when he was carving up soup cans over the plastic on him as a 2 year old...

1st against nothing in the BC futurity over the plastic
3rd to the LaL (who had no excuse) over the plastic
2nd to LaL (who had no excuse) over the plastic

Those are the only G1 board hits (anyone entered in a G1 "cashes" a check)

Clearly that head beat against LaL in the Rebel was much the best this guy will ever do on dirt...And considering what was in that race now clearly makes the point that he was never a classic distance type - the Ark only reinforced that IMO although I didn't totally discount the trouble he encountered, if he had any shot at a mile and a quarter he should have showed it.

Ice Box has the only legitimate bitch coming to him in the way that race was run - he was clearly the horse to beat - WM gave NP the best opportunity - he just is not that good.

ateamstupid · #8 05-02-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Nobles Promise = Sam P... A pathetically overrated allowance horse that everyone keeps making excuses for. Throw Dublin in that category as well.

This is crazy talk. Noble's Promise is way better than Sam P. Throwing out his faster than Sam P. figures, the fact that he's been able to do this well beyond a mile is remarkable in itself. He's a very nice horse. Dublin's also a good horse in the wrong hands.

Rudeboyelvis · #9 05-02-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

This is crazy talk. Noble's Promise is way better than Sam P. Throwing out his faster than Sam P. figures, the fact that he's been able to do this well beyond a mile is remarkable in itself. He's a very nice horse. Dublin's also a good horse in the wrong hands.

He needs to get back to CA and run mile and a 16th against the other also-rans over the synthetic -I'll abide the Sam P reference is a bit harsh, but I would think a further progression in the TC or further is a waste

ibet2win · #10 05-02-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

This is crazy talk. Noble's Promise is way better than Sam P. Throwing out his faster than Sam P. figures, the fact that he's been able to do this well beyond a mile is remarkable in itself. He's a very nice horse. Dublin's also a good horse in the wrong hands.

In the wrong hands? What a ridiculous thing to say. Lukas is a hall of famer who was leading money winner for like 10 years straight.....AND who do you think trained Todd Pletcher??????