chances mike smith off in the belmont

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

it's having a set of BALLS!!!!

Thats pretty funny, who knew it was that easy to be a great rider. You have to wonder if thats all it is why Calvin has struggled to be more then a journeyman rider in KY. He is not even the big fish in a small pond with his great style, or "balls" as you put it.

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Kasept

It wasn't necessarily an afterthought... Nafzger called his mentor John Nerud after the Preakness loss and asked John if should run in the Belmont. Nerud asked him what he wanted as a target the rest of the year. Nafzger's goal once the Triple Crown was unattainable was the Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic. Nerud told him to skip the Belmont in that case.

The difference may be that SS was a.) not sound and b.) a colt, with a stud value to protect. It looks like MTB will be Belmont bound and I cannot see RA running back.

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Linny

The difference may be that SS was a.) not sound and b.) a colt, with a stud value to protect. It looks like MTB will be Belmont bound and I cannot see RA running back.

I dont think her owner can pass up the chance to be in the spot light, he craves this I believe.

[largo1]

I can see the connections taking Mike Smith off if Borel is available. But if RA goes to the Belmont, I don't see why they'd take him off. He did a pretty decent job today. I was actually really surprised when they first announced he was their second choice if they couldn't have Borel. MTB really thrived under that classic Calvin Bo-Rail ride in the Derby. Now, I LIKE Mike Smith,,,, but he seems like the complete opposite of Calvin. They're just lucky he didn't take The Mike Smith Path to the wire! Or maybe that's just a Derby thing for him?

[pointman]

I would guess that Rachel Alexandra does not run back and that Mine That Bird does. As a gelding and in the form that he is in right now, I would think they would take a shot at the Belmont and then lay him off for a couple of months. I am not a big Smith fan, but I didn't see anything wrong with his ride today, he just got beat by a better horse at 1 3/16 miles today.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

How the heck was he getting inside today? Is there like a magic word that tells everyone from the 3/8ths to get out of the way?

Excuse me I'm coming thru. Beep Beep.

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

it's having a set of BALLS!!!!

What race did you watch Mr Big Balls.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by pointman

I am not a big Smith fan, but I didn't see anything wrong with his ride today, he just got beat by a better horse at 1 3/16 miles today.

I agree with this assessment, nothing wrong with the ride. Really it was quite straight fwd, from the 2 post take him back to last, save as much ground as you can, make one run and finish well. A great ride was Borel's ride in the derby, I don't agree that Smith did anything extraordinary to win the race today, it was a good ride, if he didn't check MTB at the top of the stretch and found a way to save just a little more ground he may have even gotten into the photo with RA, then it may have been a great ride.

[peetsa]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I think there is a much better chance that the filly runs then MTB, once you lose the preakness the belmont seems to be an afterthought, see steet sense.

If Jackson runs RA in the Belmont, he should commit himself to Bellevue! Only an IDIOT would run her in that spot!

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by peetsa

If Jackson runs RA in the Belmont, he should commit himself to Bellevue! Only an IDIOT would run her in that spot!

why?

Seems like easy money and all but wraps up horse of the year.....and like I said, Jess Jackson loves the spotlight, dont think he wants to pass it up.

It would be good for racing, ratings will be up 25% even in a non triple crown year.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

Why? What did he do wrong?

not a gd thing.

[blackthroatedwind]

Mike Smith gave a better ride today than Borel could have.

Today's race proved, once again, that horses win races and not riders.

[sumitas]

For sure . The first 2 legs of the Triple Crown this year have been incredibly exciting and full of surprises . Horse racing at it's best I'd have to say .

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

why?

Seems like easy money and all but wraps up horse of the year.....and like I said, Jess Jackson loves the spotlight, dont think he wants to pass it up.

It would be good for racing, ratings will be up 25% even in a non triple crown year.

Why? Because it's better for racing, better for being in the spotlight, and better for easy money if Jackson sits one out and keeps her healthy for the rest of the year, including the Travers and BC Classic.

If I can find a prop on which horse goes to the Belmont, MTB or RA, I'd bet a good fraction of my bankroll on MTB.

--Dunbar

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Mike Smith gave a better ride today than Borel could have.

Today's race proved, once again, that horses win races and not riders.

Riders lose races on good horses though.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

jess jacksons ego will make r.a go to the belmont imo

[herkhorse]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

jess jacksons ego will make r.a go to the belmont imo

I think so too.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by 10 pnt move up

I think there is a much better chance that the filly runs then MTB, once you lose the preakness the belmont seems to be an afterthought, see steet sense.

they said all along that the intent was to do well in the derby and then head to ny, where the sire won. if mtb came out of yesterday ok, i see no reason for them to skip it.
as for the ride, when you're on a one run closer, traffic can and will be an issue. he benefitted from an empty rail two weeks back-smith had to know it wouldn't be quite so easy to do the same thing. others like the rail as well.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by peetsa

If Jackson runs RA in the Belmont, he should commit himself to Bellevue! Only an IDIOT would run her in that spot!

i must be an idiot. cause if she's doing well off her two big efforts, i'd run her. either that, or if she seems to need a break, i'd head for 'toga and the travers with her.

[cowgirlintexas]

Has there yet to be a jockey do as Calvin has done?

To have won the Oaks/Derby/Preakness? (abit on two different horses..)

If he gets the mount back on Mine that Bird and wins...surely that will go down in the history books?