Mambo confirmed for Gold Cup

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I think Curlin's victory in the Preakness (not to mention his other good efforts in the Triple Crown) and his powerhouse performances at Oaklawn that made him a Derby favorite also had something to do with his HOY title.

I don't think Mambo In Seattle's spring races quite match up.

Obviously it's a bit of a stretch to predict that Mambo in Seattle will end up being named HOY, but if he was somehow to win the JCGC and BC he'd probably be the eclipse favorite depending on who else ran in the classic and how they did. . .

[hockey2315]

Like I said - depending on who else runs and how they do - if Mambo were to beat Big Brown in a fairly run classic (if there is such a thing on that surface) then I certainly think the argument could be made for Mambo as HOY. Especially with highly publicized weakness of the fields Big Brown has beaten so far. Maybe "eclipse favorite" wasn't the right term - since Big Brown would probably be the favorite to win it because of his name, but Mambo would have a very good chance and be very deserving of it in my opinion. But, of course, we're getting WAY ahead of ourselves here. . .

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

But, of course, we're getting WAY ahead of ourselves here. . .

I think it is much more likely that the two top finishers of this year's Travers will emulate the top two finishers of the '93 JCGC in the BC Classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP2DPO3_P5w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2K2woGfvvE

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Just curious, what makes him overrated?

I don't think he'll beat Curlin, but I hardly think it's clinically insane to say that he has a chance.

Much like Big Brown looked good beating up on nothing, so has Curlin this year. I love Curlin, but let's take a breath before we talk about him like he's some unbeatable monster. In just about every year in the past decade, he would merely be a very good handicap horse who would take some losses, not the hands down 'best horse in the world' as he's been repeatedly called.

If he goes off as the second favorite in the JCGC and any other decent older horse shows up then he's overrated. If he goes off at 8-1 then perhaps he isn't. Last two races he barely won a non-winners of a graded stakes in '08 race and then lost to Colonel John in the Travers. Both were nice races for a 3yo this year but he'd have been long forgotten had 3yos Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun, and Any Given Saturday been in those races. Cause he ran against nothing he looks better than he is. And while he shows the most promise of any 3yo router aside from Big Brown I think that is like being second best dramatic performance in a porno film.

[ateamstupid]

I'm sorry, but who are these 'decent older horses' that are so much more appealing than Mambo in Seattle? I can't think of an older dirt horse besides Curlin who I'd pick over Mambo with any confidence.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I'm sorry, but who are these 'decent older horses' that are so much more appealing than Mambo in Seattle? I can't think of an older dirt horse besides Curlin who I'd pick over Mambo with any confidence.

My whole opinion is that this 3yo crop sucks balls. The older horses suck too but are still better than the 3yos. So when I get a chance to play against a 3yo taking on elders that is overbet by his success against 3yos I'm going to take it. I got burnt at Monmouth with Big Brown but I'll try again this time assuming anyone respectable shows up. And honestly I have nothing against Mambo in Seattle (unlike Visionaire) so if he steps up and runs well I won't be upset, I'll just have lost some money trying to beat him. I think Curlin towers over him, I think Mambo's susceptible against elders, if I don't take a stand against either of them then there is no point in betting the race.

[RolloTomasi]

What's wrong with giving Past The Point another look, particularly if Wanderin Boy doesn't show up to hound him?

He looks flukey on paper, but if you ignore his abortive polytrack and turf starts this year, that leaves you with two big efforts at Saratoga on the main track. He was just coming around last year when placing in the Super Derby, before going to the bench for whatever reason.

I think the jury is still out on him, has a bit of upside.

[Smooth Operator]

Do any of the mules have a shot against Curlie this weekend?

Would be hilarious to see him go down in a dirt contest.

Fitting punishment for his despicable 'roid abuse last year.

Might've cost Street Sense a shot at the Triple Crown.





I really hate that horse.

Curlie that is...

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I don't understand. Curlin abused steroids last year? Is there a link or something where I can read more about this?

Who's Curlin?

[moke0043]

Originally Posted by GBBob

Who's Curlin?

LMMFAO!!!

[Bobby Fischer]

What the travers lacked in quality, it made up for in entertainment.

Waiting to see if Mambo In Seattle is "merely" a good allowance/stakes horse,
or a grade I classic distance runner.

[alysheba4]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I'm sorry, but who are these 'decent older horses' that are so much more appealing than Mambo in Seattle? I can't think of an older dirt horse besides Curlin who I'd pick over Mambo with any confidence.

.........no doubt, he will be the close 2nd betting chice for sure.

Originally Posted by Bobby Fischer

What the travers lacked in quality, it made up for in entertainment.

Waiting to see if Mambo In Seattle is "merely" a good allowance/stakes horse,
or a grade I classic distance runner.

Im leaning towards Grade 1 classic runner, i think he takes the race to Curlin and it could be a Epic Stretch Run.

[King Glorious]

This is a classic case of someone putting up something and hoping it happens and they look like a genius. There are no rational, traditional, or logical reasons to believe Mambo in Seattle can beat Curlin if Curlin doesn't injure himself during the race.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

This is a classic case of someone putting up something and hoping it happens and they look like a genius. There are no rational, traditional, or logical reasons to believe Mambo in Seattle can beat Curlin if Curlin doesn't injure himself during the race.

After looking at the PPs I don't think Mambo cracks the superfecta.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

This is a classic case of someone putting up something and hoping it happens and they look like a genius. There are no rational, traditional, or logical reasons to believe Mambo in Seattle can beat Curlin if Curlin doesn't injure himself during the race.

Does Neil Howard typically stable at Belmont Park during the fall?

This seems like a case of "nowhere else to run". Lots of 3yos have been forced to face their elders in these races even though there's not much hope for them on form. Coronado's Quest, Lemon Drop Kid, AP Valentine, Stephen Got Even, Go For Gin, etc. Sometimes the Hail Mary's work (eg Miner's Mark).

I'd imagine Howard wasn't looking to go back to the Super Derby (though it was the logical spot) given Grasshopper's flop last year. Then again, he hasn't been very successful in the win column this year, so maybe this sort of thing is one of the reasons why.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Does Neil Howard typically stable at Belmont Park during the fall?

This seems like a case of "nowhere else to run". Lots of 3yos have been forced to face their elders in these races even though there's not much hope for them on form. Coronado's Quest, Lemon Drop Kid, AP Valentine, Stephen Got Even, Go For Gin, etc. Sometimes the Hail Mary's work (eg Miner's Mark).

I'd imagine Howard wasn't looking to go back to the Super Derby (though it was the logical spot) given Grasshopper's flop last year. Then again, he hasn't been very successful in the win column this year, so maybe this sort of thing is one of the reasons why.

I wasn't meaning Howard. I commend him for running here when it would have been so easy to look for an easier spot. I meant the handicappers that are picking his horse.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I wasn't meaning Howard. I commend him for running here when it would have been so easy to look for an easier spot. I meant the handicappers that are picking his horse.

My mistake. Though, to be honest, I don't think that makes any sense whatsoever.

But maybe Neil Howard is only hoping for 2nd money in this one. I imagine that's what he had in mind when he ran Midway Road in Funny Cide's Preakness...

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

After looking at the PPs I don't think Mambo cracks the superfecta.

I was totally wrong, he made the super. I was really impressed when he looked Curlin in the eye and showed him what he was made of.

[RollerDoc]

Originally Posted by Quiet Chris

The real question is if Mambo wins the JCGC and BCC will he be HOY? I wouldn't be shocked at all if he pulled it off. He might be another Curlin.

For the record....this was never a REAL question. Only Big Brown would have a shot at Horse of Year and a convincing victory at BCC still may not be enough to overtake Curlin.