Tips/Thoughts on Breeders' Cup tickets this year?

Originally Posted by Linny

The typical "elite" US turf horse is far below the best of the Euro's, year in and year out. Grand Couturier raced in Europe and was a "listed stakes" type there. Red Rocks (who could have dominated this season, if sound) was no better than a G3 horse there. When he ran with G1 horses in Europe (Manduro, Dylan Thomas, Duke of Marmalade, Soldier of Fortune, Youmzain) he was nowhere. In fact he was crushed by Dr. Dino who is not regarded as "elite" in Europe, even though he's won G1 in Europe and Asia. Now, RR does move up here because of Lasix (etc) he's still not in the league of those mentioned above.

GC also loves a soft turf course, the SA course will not likely suit him. Dancing Forever like hard turf but I don't see him having the clas of Soldier of Fortune. I'd consider Conduit from Sir Michael Stoute. He loves 12f and has handled "firmer" going in Europe. If he looks like a G2 horse, refer to the first paragraph of this post.

what league was Red Rocks in the first time he won this race ?
Also Europe's best are running in the Classic, correct ?

[Linny]

Originally Posted by hrfan

what league was Red Rocks in the first time he won this race ?
Also Europe's best are running in the Classic, correct ?

he beat the worst bunch to Euro's to ever run in the turf. Only Soldier of Fortune and Conduit are considered G1 there, and it might be a stretch to call Conduit G1, though he won the St Leger. Since Henry (miler) and Duke (maybe past his best) are in the Classic, the Turf is more wide open and RR does have a shot, IF Soldier and Conduit (and even Eagle Mtn) fail miserably. Also, RR has scratched from the Sword Dancer and didn't go in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (his intended prep) which is a concern. When was the last time Hennig won a G1, 12f grass race off a 3 1/2 mo. layoff.

Throat, you are right about GC. I was OK in Europe but he faced a pretty poor bunch (relatively speaking) in Rail Link and Red Rocks. Look at what RR did in his recent tries w/G1 Euro's in Europe. He like firm and Lasix, and the easier company here..

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Linny

he beat the worst bunch to Euro's to ever run in the turf. Only Soldier of Fortune and Conduit are considered G1 there, and it might be a stretch to call Conduit G1, though he won the St Leger. Since Henry (miler) and Duke (maybe past his best) are in the Classic, the Turf is more wide open and RR does have a shot, IF Soldier and Conduit (and even Eagle Mtn) fail miserably. Also, RR has scratched from the Sword Dancer and didn't go in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (his intended prep) which is a concern. When was the last time Hennig won a G1, 12f grass race off a 3 1/2 mo. layoff.

Throat, you are right about GC. I was OK in Europe but he faced a pretty poor bunch (relatively speaking) in Rail Link and Red Rocks. Look at what RR did in his recent tries w/G1 Euro's in Europe. He like firm and Lasix, and the easier company here..

Hurricane Run was in the BC against Red Rocks in 2006.

They weren't top Group 1 horses over there, but even their ranks have been pretty thin the last few years in the distance Group 1s, and both were at least marginally competitive.