Track bias and big days

[Calzone Lord]

As far as biases go, I don't think it was that much of a speed bias over the two days.

The South American horse in the Dirt Marathon came from more than 20 lengths out of it to blow them all away in the stretch.

Pace battles never materialized in a lot of spots where they figured to. The Dirt Mile looked loaded with speed on paper -- and that pace was an absolute crawl.

Rail Trip and John Scott really got screwed badly when Shackleford blew the start. The dirt mile field was so bunched up, John Scott's dead last and just 5 behind that crawl ... and he's pulling Espinoza so much that he feels the need to try and circle six wide.

Other than Mike Smith on Atigun and Royal Delta I didn't see unexpected overly aggressive tactics from any riders.

I think the performances of Tapizar and Fort Larned have A LOT more to do with Shackleford and Game on Dude both blowing the break, and no one else wanting any part of being anywhere near the lead than they have to do with that track.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I think the performances of Tapizar and Fort Larned have A LOT more to do with Shackleford and Game on Dude both blowing the break, and no one else wanting any part of being anywhere near the lead than they have to do with that track.

In what way did Game on Dude blow the break? Looked to me like he got away fine.

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

In what way did Game on Dude blow the break? Looked to me like he got away fine.

I haven't had time to watch all the replays yet, but he was beat out of the gate by Brilliant Speed and they crossed and cleared on him.

Maybe he didn't have a visual excuse at the start, but he clearly did not perform well in the first few strides and he got crossed and cleared on because of it, in a race where NO ONE else wanted any part of the lead. Smith had Mucho Macho Man under a hamerlock down the backstretch.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

I haven't had time to watch all the replays yet, but he was beat out of the gate by Brilliant Speed and they crossed and cleared on him.

Maybe he didn't have a visual excuse at the start, but he clearly did not perform well in the first few strides and he got crossed and cleared on because of it, in a race where NO ONE else wanted any part of the lead. Smith had Mucho Macho Man under a hamerlock down the backstretch.

He got checked going into the first turn and never looked comfortable after that, but the actual break was clean, unlike Shackleford's.

Tapizar was an underlay at 15-1 to me. I'd love to hear McLaughlin start answering for why his horses run so disparately in and out of NY.

[Calzone Lord]

Yeah -- Emcee ran an atrocious race all things considered. A bigger X than even Game On Dude's performance.

Mclaughlin and Baffert both had terrible days.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

In what way did Game on Dude blow the break? Looked to me like he got away fine.

He broke flatfooted.The 4 and 6 clearly outbreak him if you watch the overhead view.

http://www.breederscup.com/results/2012/classic

He didnt stumble but he did not break alertly. Where Bejerano screwed up was not trying to send game on dude between Alpha and Ft L passing the 1/8th pole the 1st time. He grabbed him and tried to look to get outside rather than try to get around Alpha.

Brilliant Speed did a fine job enhancing his stallion credentials.

[TheSpyder]

I stumbled repeatedly over the two days only to recoup everything on the 10th at Santa Anita Sunday.

Lifes ups and downs!

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

As far as biases go, I don't think it was that much of a speed bias over the two days.

The South American horse in the Dirt Marathon came from more than 20 lengths out of it to blow them all away in the stretch.

Pace battles never materialized in a lot of spots where they figured to. The Dirt Mile looked loaded with speed on paper -- and that pace was an absolute crawl.

Rail Trip and John Scott really got screwed badly when Shackleford blew the start. The dirt mile field was so bunched up, John Scott's dead last and just 5 behind that crawl ... and he's pulling Espinoza so much that he feels the need to try and circle six wide.

Other than Mike Smith on Atigun and Royal Delta I didn't see unexpected overly aggressive tactics from any riders.

I think the performances of Tapizar and Fort Larned have A LOT more to do with Shackleford and Game on Dude both blowing the break, and no one else wanting any part of being anywhere near the lead than they have to do with that track.

You make some good points but even BC races aside, particularly on Thursday, I felt like horses on the lead in the stretch just kept staying on and closers were spinning their wheels. Every dirt race felt like a parade from the quarter pole to the wire. Meaningful moves from off the pace were mitigated regardless of the pace. Sure, a few closers clunked-up for a share, but on a fair racetrack, I think we see a lot of different results. Too many horses just didn't quit down the lane all weekend.