10/3 (BEL): JCGC, Champagne, Frizette, Flwr Bowl (G1's), Kelso, Hill Prince

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by pointman

You suggested that if he ran poorly in the JCGC that it would not serve as a prep for Breeder's Cup. I suggested that being that he is unproven at the distance, they could answer that question by running in the JCGC. It could have the benefit of answering that question and if in the negative give the option to run at a mile with a set up for a situation he ran well off the last.

Except the classic is the goal. So,, shug is doing what he thinks he ought. I certainly cant find fault with his decision.
this wknd is meant for honor code to get what he needs for that ultimate goal. And better to go for the classic at 10f than the jcgc...he will get a much bigger pass if he fails at the latter.
they circled a race, wored backwards from there to get him set up.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I think I'll defer to Shug. He's pretty good.

At the end of the day, his handling of Honor Code has been exceptional. Why would anyone question him now?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Pretty difficult to have a long list considering how few 10-furlong dirt races are left on the calendar, but Curlin and Blame seemed to do OK in BC Classics after prepping in the JCGC. Bernardini too. No idea why prepping at the same distance of an upcoming big race would be a detriment. If anything, it should be beneficial, especially for a horse like Honor Code with no experience at the distance.

Every horse isn't the same and lumping form cycles/race patterns isn't germane. What worked for Curlin, Blame, Bernardini, et al, isn't necessarily appropriate for Honor Code. If you listen to Shug talk about the how and why of the Kelso versus Gold Cup, he made it clear.. He thinks the one turn mile ahead of the 10f target will keep him 'sharp', while concerned a 10f prep had potential to 'dull' his edge ahead of the key goal.

[FATPIANO]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I think I'll defer to Shug. He's pretty good.

At the end of the day, his handling of Honor Code has been exceptional. Why would anyone question him now?

Ditto

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Every horse isn't the same and lumping form cycles/race patterns isn't germane. What worked for Curlin, Blame, Bernardini, et al, isn't necessarily appropriate for Honor Code. If you listen to Shug talk about the how and why of the Kelso versus Gold Cup, he made it clear.. He thinks the one turn mile ahead of the 10f target will keep him 'sharp', while concerned a 10f prep had potential to 'dull' his edge ahead of the key goal.

That's fine, I was merely answering the question about recent US horses who prepped for BC going 10 furlongs and had success.

I never questioned Shug's wisdom or suggested he was doing the wrong thing for the horse. I was saying that, from a fan's perspective, it's disappointing to see him duck the JCGC for a much softer spot on the same card.

[blackthroatedwind]

Well, he's going to lose the Kelso, so we'll see how much softer it is.

[RHT2004]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Well, he's going to lose the Kelso, so we'll see how much softer it is.

Agree. Love Tamracuz