English Channel

[Gander]

Besides this race is much tougher than some Grade 1's.

I cant agree with that. I dont think this field is good at all. Maybe for a 57K allowance its good but Einstein and Dreadnaught are both far better horses than anything in this lineup (besides EC). EC wins this race at 75% of himself.

[SentToStud]

Gulfstream Park - February 22nd, 2007 - Race 7
Estimated Local Post Time: 3:54 PM
Race Type: Allowance
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $57,500
Distance:One And One Eighth Miles
Surface: Turf
Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 M B Sea (KY) 8 Horse 118 Mark Guidry
2 Mending Fences (KY) 5 Horse 118 Eddie Castro
3 Golden Commander (NY) 7 Gelding 118 Rene R. Douglas
4 Palladio (FL) 5 Horse 118 Edgar S. Prado
5 Request for Parole (KY) 8 Horse 118 Javier Castellano
6 English Channel (KY) 5 Horse 118 John R. Velazquez
7 Sabre Baby (FL) 6 Gelding 118 Rafael Bejarano
8 Putonyerdancinshuz (PA) 4 Gelding 118 Kent J. Desormeaux
9 Croton Road (KY) 4 Colt 122 Eduardo O. Nunez
10 Gun Salute (KY) 5 Horse 118 Cornelio H. Velasquez

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

If EC can't win there, that might not bode well for the rest of the year. I will say I find it alarming that he was set to start in 2 different stakes and missed both. Now shows up in an allowance. They can't still be considering Dubai right?

That's really the only way this makes sense though. If they want the extra week rest going into Dubai and want to keep him shorter to prep for it then I can understand why they would do this. Otherwise it is mindboggling when there is an easier G1 next week.

[Gander]

An easier Grade 1 than this?
Exactly who in this field is any good? I think this is as soft as it gets.

[brockguy]

the dubai races look very very deep. you need a type who can race up with the pace, a la tin man, collier hill etc.. thats the place to be in Dubai. EC isnt that type is he?

[Gander]

Yes, EC has pretty decent tactical speed and wins a lot of races by creating perfect trips for himself.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by Gander

Yes, EC has pretty decent tactical speed and wins a lot of races by creating perfect trips for himself.

thats certainly a help. somehow though, i cant see him winning either the 9f or 12f turf race! he looks very exposed to me!

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Gander

An easier Grade 1 than this?
Exactly who in this field is any good? I think this is as soft as it gets.

I believe that if Pletcher was to enter his filly Honey Ryder in that Grade 1 race, she would be the post time favorite. That's how soft a group it is for the Grade 1 level.

Heck, the ultra moderate Ramazutti will be a factor in there. Dreadnaught was not nominated for the race. Einstein is the defending champion, but he was off the board in an alw race at a mile, and is hardly a bigtime horse to fear

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I believe that if Pletcher was to enter his filly Honey Ryder in that Grade 1 race, she would be the post time favorite. That's how soft a group it is for the Grade 1 level.

Heck, the ultra moderate Ramazutti will be a factor in there. Dreadnaught was not nominated for the race. Einstein is the defending champion, but he was off the board in an alw race at a mile, and is hardly a bigtime horse to fear

That's surprising. He runs second wherever he goes and they won't find an easier G1 for the rest of his career.

[Gander]

This allowance field is the pitts. Mending Fences, Request for Parole, MB Sea. These are real plodders. Soft as a cotton ball.

I think Dreadnaught and Ramazutti are pretty good horses, better than anything in here.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

That's surprising. He runs second wherever he goes and they won't find an easier G1 for the rest of his career.

I was thinking the same--perhaps he's not right

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

That's really the only way this makes sense though. If they want the extra week rest going into Dubai and want to keep him shorter to prep for it then I can understand why they would do this. Otherwise it is mindboggling when there is an easier G1 next week.

Honey Ryder can win that Grade 1 race next week.

English Channel is a very aggressive type and doesn't always settle well early on, he's not the kind of horse you'd want to bring back at a 1 3/8 mile distance, off that long of a layoff.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Honey Ryder can win that Grade 1 race next week.

English Channel is a very aggressive type and doesn't always settle well early on, he's not the kind of horse you'd want to bring back at a 1 3/8 mile distance, off that long of a layoff.

Nice job of having her in your stable and for moving to second place in the TVG Fantasy.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Nice job of having her in your stable and for moving to second place in the TVG Fantasy.

Thanks.

I had a feeling Pletcher would run her in the Grade 1 against the boys and she'd be the favorite---which is why I didn't take anyone else for that race---so, I finally made what looks like a pretty sharp move this month.

However, I thought I was screwed at the start of the month, because I took Downthedustyroad when no one else ahead of me did. It's kind of funny how things work out when you think you're screwed, and how something goes amiss when you're confident you have the upperhand.

Honey Ryder will probably run 5th now...and Einstein and Ramazuti 1st and 2nd.