Watchmaker's 05-29 Blog

[PatCummings]

Watchmaker referenced some comments about Pletcher and Awesome Maria in that blog post, and how Pletcher blamed himself. Thought it'd be interesting to compare Todd's pre-race comments to Dave Grening and post-race...

Pre-race DRF article about Ogden Phipps.

“Everything she’s done the last six starts, we’re hoping for more of
the same,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Awesome Maria for Joyce
Robsham. “We know this is a very, very tough race. I have a lot of
respect for It’s Tricky and the other ones in there.

“Anytime you carry 124 pounds, you get a little nervous with that
impost,” Pletcher continued. “At the same time, she’s deserving of
topweight, given all of her success and her six-race winning streak.
We hope it can continue.”

http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park...hipps-handicap

Post-race DRF article about Ogden Phipps

Todd Pletcher, the trainer of Awesome Maria, took the blame for his
mare's dull effort. "I think I did a really poor job preparing her for this race,"
Pletcher said. "We stayed in Florida too long, got rained on a lot,
missed a couple of works down there. Then I tried to make up for it
here and breezed her on a sloppy track . . . It wasn't her fault. I'll
take the blame for it."

http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park...ob-done-phipps

I wonder if Awesome Maria would've been favored had Pletcher suggested she missed some works (as opposed to a slight freshening), then tried to make up for it, etc. Look, you can see in the form she didn't have a published work for a month after the Rampart win...but does it all suggest she was hurried?

At least all the TVG coverage from Hollyhump over the weekend made it incredibly clear that you should avoid Rail Trip at all costs in the Los Angeles. Now, granted, Rail Trip was never going to be say, 4-5, but Ron Ellis did everything possible to talk people off the horse, and an interview with Samantha Siegel did the same.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

“Anytime you carry 124 pounds, you get a little nervous with that impost,” Pletcher continued. “At the same time, she’s deserving of topweight, given all of her success and her six-race winning streak. We hope it can continue.”

People, she was carrying around a backbreaking 124 lbs. Secretariat himself couldn't win dragging around that anchor.

Side note: can whoever approved "Cash for Clunkers" as a name be publicly flogged?

[NTamm1215]

I hate the weight argument, but why isn't anyone talking about It's Tricky carrying 122 lbs?

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I hate the weight argument, but why isn't anyone talking about It's Tricky carrying 122 lbs?

If it was 85 years ago -- Cash For Clunkers would have got a bowling ball less assigned to her.

I have most definitely seen horses that knew they won or lost. Some horse by nature are competetive. Farm managers will tell you when yearlings run in the fields usually the same ones will do enough to stay in front of the others.

As far as when they become racehorses I certainly have seen them get pumped, pose and have a special spring when the finish well in front. I think the reason for that are two fold. Partially a high from finishing in front. But more as a result of all the good vibes being sent their way from the jock on the gallop out and when returning to their handlers. Just for kicks I would paddock some of the horses I owned back in the day. After the race you could tell they were more animated and pumped if they'ed won. Especially if you gave them praise.

As for losers, that was even easier to see. A front runner that was passed late would be pissed and frustrated. Acting cantakerous and bullheaded.

As far as confidence. A horse that's feeling good and training great can have confidence and I suppose it could translate into a good performance. As far as winning or losing close photos affecting what attitude they bring to the next race is total hogwash. An hour after the race they are enjoying their bath, drinikng cool clear water, and checking for the groom with dinner. Period. Competetive in a race. Sure. Calculating or emotional. Nonsense.