hard spun ..impressed..not really

jpops757 · #1 03-25-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

After viewing all three races in question I still believe that yesterdays race was very similar to the Southwest. In the LeConte Hard Spun basically set an even pace and finished up well. In the last 2 races he was taken in hand while in a wide stalking position though he was a bit closer to the pace yesterday. The difference in my opinion was that when he made his move yesterday he was closer to the leaders, was a bit stronger and was doing it on a track that is condusive to that type of move. In the Southwest he had to make up a little more ground and was used up a little in making up that ground in a fairly fast 3rd quarter and was doing it on a track where it was virtually impossible to make that move.
I dont like or dislike this horse or connections. I think that he is a good horse and thought he ran really well yesterday. But that three wide in hand trip is not going to work out many other tracks like it did yesterday and it most assuredly wont work at CD on the 1st sat in May. The biggest question I have about this horse is can he rate BEHIND other horses? Not outside of them, but behind them. I'm sure that there will be plenty of pace in the Derby and my question for this horse is can he sit behind horses, take dirt in his face and handle it?

I agree with your wvaluation even though Im sure you dont need that. what I wonder is that you question his ability to come from behind not being out side and others knock Street sense and his style of doing exactly what you think HS hasnt shown the ability to do.Street Sens is alway knocked about his perfect trip. Dont horses with ability alwayts seem to carve a perfect trip. If you look back at the BC SS got the perfect trip but if you watch the replay . The inside hole was quickly closing but Borel had the horse to take the hole before it closed.

Sightseek · #2 03-25-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpops757

I agree with your wvaluation even though Im sure you dont need that. what I wonder is that you question his ability to come from behind not being out side and others knock Street sense and his style of doing exactly what you think HS hasnt shown the ability to do.Street Sens is alway knocked about his perfect trip. Dont horses with ability alwayts seem to carve a perfect trip. If you look back at the BC SS got the perfect trip but if you watch the replay . The inside hole was quickly closing but Borel had the horse to take the hole before it closed.

I don't think people are knocking SS for his trips and resulting victories, but rather are saying that he got the edge over Any Given Saturday. Having the edge of being willing to cut inside horses is a positive in my mind...but it doesn't always mean you were the best horse in the race.

jpops757 · #3 03-25-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I don't think people are knocking SS for his trips and resulting victories, but rather are saying that he got the edge over Any Given Saturday. Having the edge of being willing to cut inside horses is a positive in my mind...but it doesn't always mean you were the best horse in the race.

A lot of the so called better horses arent good enough to take advantage of the inside holes. What I cant understand is why cant a horse that makes a good trip cant be the best horse. AGS was in front of SS but chose to go outside so why say he got the worse trip. Maybe his rider didnt have the horse to take the inside.

Sightseek · #4 03-25-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpops757

A lot of the so called better horses arent good enough to take advantage of the inside holes. What I cant understand is why cant a horse that makes a good trip cant be the best horse. AGS was in front of SS but chose to go outside so why say he got the worse trip. Maybe his rider didnt have the horse to take the inside.

I guess if you believe Borel that he had a lot more horse under him that could very well be the case. I don't mean to sound as if I am personally knocking Street, both horses ran tremendously.

Danzig · #5 03-25-2007, 07:12 PM

so glad to see hard spun came back with a win. was hoping his first loss a few weeks ago was an anomaly.

slotdirt · #6 03-26-2007, 08:56 AM

Glad to see the insight on Hard Spun here. This has been my personal Derby favorite from the get-go, so from that stand point I'm glad to see he's probably going to have the earnings to get in the race. I'll be interested to see how he runs in the Blue Grass against what looks to be a loaded field. If he runs well, that will be one short price on Derby day.

JJP · #7 03-27-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpops757

A lot of the so called better horses arent good enough to take advantage of the inside holes. What I cant understand is why cant a horse that makes a good trip cant be the best horse. AGS was in front of SS but chose to go outside so why say he got the worse trip. Maybe his rider didnt have the horse to take the inside.

If SS ran the better race than AGS, he would've won by more than 1 inch. When two horses finish an inch apart, one closing on a fast pace while saving every inch of ground while the other is closer to the fast pace and goes wide on the second turn, I don't think its hard to see why most feel AGS ran the superior race.

jpops757 · #8 03-27-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJP

If SS ran the better race than AGS, he would've won by more than 1 inch. When two horses finish an inch apart, one closing on a fast pace while saving every inch of ground while the other is closer to the fast pace and goes wide on the second turn, I don't think its hard to see why most feel AGS ran the superior race.

Did you see the race? The inside was there but he chose to go outside. AGS was ahead of SS and chose to go outside. How can you say AGS was better mthan SS.

jjf1031 · #9 03-27-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpops757

Did you see the race? The inside was there but he chose to go outside. AGS was ahead of SS and chose to go outside. How can you say AGS was better mthan SS.

If jockey chose to go outside yet horse still ran SS to a nose decision, how does that not make it a superior race. Have to agree with JJP

Kasept · #10 03-27-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjf1031

If jockey chose to go outside yet horse still ran SS to a nose decision, how does that not make it a superior race. Have to agree with JJP

Don't know why anyone would try to separate 'the superior race' from between Any Given Saturday and Street Sense at Tampa or what is accomplished in trying to do so...

Saturday had the advantagve of a race over the surface and 2nd/start off the layoff... Street Sense had the disadvantage of first start off a 100+ day layoff and a trip over the slower part of the track... Saturday lost some ground on the turn and Street saved some... They arrived at the wire together. Equally terrific performances and neither deserves to be identified as 'superior'.

They each were superb and they both exit the race as worthy of praise and expectations of ongoing excellence this campaign.

jpops757 · #11 03-27-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjf1031

If jockey chose to go outside yet horse still ran SS to a nose decision, how does that not make it a superior race. Have to agree with JJP

What it amounts to is both horses ran there race and SS won. If they both run again I look for similar style and maybe AGS will turn the table but dont tell me AGS was the best horse in last. The finish tells te tale.