8/27 (SAR): Travers, King's Bishop, Ballerina, Victory Ride, Ballston

[ateamstupid]

Sure seems like the pace in the Travers is going to be a crawl. If Shackleford is ever going to win a 10-furlong race, this is the one.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Sure seems like the pace in the Travers is going to be a crawl. If Shackleford is ever going to win a 10-furlong race, this is the one.

He seemed to run better when the pace was faster. His Haskell was great put the pace was punishing in the Preakness and he finished up there. I do think this will be his race to lose, but I think he needs to go 1:11 or faster to make it so.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

He seemed to run better when the pace was faster. His Haskell was great put the pace was punishing in the Preakness and he finished up there. I do think this will be his race to lose, but I think he needs to go 1:11 or faster to make it so.

My biggest pet peeve with pace setters is when the jockey backs down the pace and does a fantastic job of moderating the tempo, only to let the other horses get right up to his neck on the far turn, which basically eliminates the advantage. Rarely does a pacesetter lose the lead and then come back to win, unless you're talking about a significant class/ability edge.

I wish they would step on it a bit sooner, open-up and then in the stretch, when everyone is tired, see if they can hold off any closers... which is hard to do - pass horses when you're spent.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

My biggest pet peeve with pace setters is when the jockey backs down the pace and does a fantastic job of moderating the tempo, only to let the other horses get right up to his neck on the far turn, which basically eliminates the advantage. Rarely does a pacesetter lose the lead and then come back to win, unless you're talking about a significant class/ability edge.

I wish they would step on it a bit sooner, open-up and then in the stretch, when everyone is tired, see if they can hold off any closers... which is hard to do - pass horses when you're spent.

I thought that was where Quality Road went wrong last year and got caught.

[ellpol]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

My biggest pet peeve with pace setters is when the jockey backs down the pace and does a fantastic job of moderating the tempo, only to let the other horses get right up to his neck on the far turn, which basically eliminates the advantage. Rarely does a pacesetter lose the lead and then come back to win, unless you're talking about a significant class/ability edge.

I wish they would step on it a bit sooner, open-up and then in the stretch, when everyone is tired, see if they can hold off any closers... which is hard to do - pass horses when you're spent.

Since you call hundreds maybe thousands of races per year your assesment carries far more weight than the opinion of most other observers. Also since I agree with you 100% you must be right. Actually I have often mentioned that exact thing to several of my degenerate friends and they tell me leave the riding to the jockeys. I am printing this off so I can show them I am not alone. Thanks Travis.

[ateamstupid]

Pretty damn impressive race from To Honor and Serve.

[Calzone Lord]

Yep.

Likely ran a 105 Beyer there today and ran hard the whole way. Slevin had a dream trip and got drowned -- and he's a horse who ran in the 89-to-92 range each of his last five outs. Third place was coming off of a 91.

I like Raison D'etat in the Travers. By AP Indy - Sightseek so distance not an issue.