2/22 (FG): Risen Star (G2), Mineshaft, FG, Rachel Alexandra (G3's)

[pmayjr]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

I find it interesting that Pletcher sends Intense Holiday here instead of keeping him at Gulfstream for the Fountain of Youth. So in his last 3 races he's finished behind Havana, Honor Code and Cairo Prince. I think Pletcher is gauging how he really stacks up, and crazy enough I think he gets a little class relief going here. It's "put up or shut up" time for this horse, and I think he delivers with a monster effort and wins.

I'm only quoting myself, because I DIDN'T play today. Which is the way it always goes. If I actually put my money where my mouth is, Intense Holiday would've run 4th again lol.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

I'm only quoting myself, because I DIDN'T play today. Which is the way it always goes. If I actually put my money where my mouth is, Intense Holiday would've run 4th again lol.

He won as an underlay.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

He won as an underlay.

Disagree. He was about right. The two morning line favorites are not very good. Bullet Bobs horse was the underlay.

[pmayjr]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

He won as an underlay.

maybe a little, but I knew once I saw his PPs and the rest of the field's, that he'd be nowhere close to the 8-1ML odds given to him. In all seriousness I tweeted that I thought he'd be about 5-1.

The one thing I will say watching the replay-
as big of a race as Albano ran, Intense Holiday was boxed in by Vicar's in Trouble the whole race going into the final turn. Smith had to wait for Rosie to make a move on Vicar before he could move Intense Holiday. I think Intense Holiday could've won this a lot easier if he didn't have to wait.

Also... crazy, but I'd like to see Gold Hawk get one more chance. He was positioned well, and had 2 chances to put in a closing run. But on the first chance he was in tight when Vicar closed to the outside of him (granted if the horse had some killer instinct he could've bulled through easy). Then when he tried to uncork his run again, Intense Holiday came in on him a little. He wasn't gonna beat the top 2, but I think if he had a slightly cleaner chance at the top of the stretch he could've ran with Vicar.

Just saying he might be eligible for improvement with a slightly cleaner trip at the top of the stretch and some maturity.

[NTamm1215]

Anybody who uses TimeformUS had to like Intense Holiday. Why everyone was enamored with Hoppertunity off that perfect trip is beyond me.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Anybody who uses TimeformUS had to like Intense Holiday. Why everyone was enamored with Hoppertunity off that perfect trip is beyond me.

Two words.

Bob

Baffert.