This is my first attempt at a handicapping entry like this. I don't claim to be an expert, but hey, this game we play is far from an exact science, so here it goes.
#1 ALPHABET MAGIC: This boy has never faced a field this strong, in fact he was claimed for $40 k two back. Doesn't have the speed to compete at this level, best Beyer is an 89. Borel decided to look elsewhere, makes me do the same.
#2 MACHO AGAIN: Last two victories came on off tracks, albeit in graded stakes, also lifetime best two Beyer's. I just don't think this colt can run the race needed today to get a piece of the prize pool.
#3 EINSTEIN: Last time the veteran didn't hit the board was in August in the Arlington Million. The fact he almost fell on his face at the start played a big part in that one. Coming off his best lifetime speed figure, will he bounce? I think he is the class of this field.
#4 ARSON SQUAD: One in the money finish in his last ten outings, beaten by two in this race in that one. The long stretch at Churchill could help his closing style. Possible play on the bottom of the tri.
#5 RESEARCHER: Won his only start against graded company in the Queens Colony at Aqueduct. Gelding seems to be in the money in all his starts, cashed tickets in 15 of 17. Has the speed and could be on the early pace. Calvin climbs aboard. Could be the one.
#6 BULLSBAY: Reminds me alot of Researcher in that he hits the board a ton. 3 for 3 at Churchill and 4 in the money finishes at the distance out of 5 starts. My only concern is he will have to run his best and hope others don't.
#7 ASIATIC BOY: O K handicapping this horse is easy. He falls into one of my handicapping don'ts. I never wager any money on a horse that has not run at least one in North America, especially in this company, that comes from the UAE. This is just my game, I have been burned to often. Show me one here.
#8 FINALLYMADEIT: 44 lifetime starts and leaves Florida for only the second time. Will be on the early lead and is 4 2-1-0 at the distance. Hit the board in his last 4 graded stakes on the dirt, can he hold the early pace and finish? I think he does.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Belmont Thoughts
It's kind of funny to me but the thing that I keep playing over in my head is the totally ridiculous piece Jerry Bailey did on what would have happened if Calvin Borel would have had the mount on Mine That Bird in the Preakness. Jerry said and had nifty photo's and graphic animations to prove that with Borel rail ride Mine That Bird would have beaten Rachel Alexandra by about a length. Seriously, Jerry, was this piece your idea or did the idiots at the network put you up to this. Do you actually think that the other jocks would have let Calvin even sniff the rail if he was on Mine That Bird in the Preakness. The fact that Calvin couldn't get close to the rail and had to take the outside on the turn in The Belmont made the whole stupid piece seem even more ignorant.
With a third place finish in The Belmont on Saturday hopefully the curtain closed on the "Calvin Borel Show". I was a big Calvin fan on the first Saturday in May, I found his youthful excitement after the Derby victory enjoyable, as I did when he won on Street Sense. Come the Preakness and the guaranteed victory in a interview minutes before the race and the finger waging and showboating even before the finish line, my opinion was changing. I began to officially dislike Calvin when he worked Mine That Bird at Churchill and guaranteed a victory in the Belmont four days later. Off to the Big Apple it was, and a trip to the Letterman Show, countless interviews and plenty of media coverage. Apparently Calvin was to busy to grab some mounts at Big Sandy and become a little more familiar with the track. Well I hope you enjoyed your vacation in NYC Calvin and the fifteen minutes of fame.
On the track I found the actual race very exciting. The run from the top of the stretch to the finish was back and forth between Mine That Bird and Dunkirk, throw in Charitable Man and the champ Summer Bird and the stretch run brought me to the edge of my seat.
Hats of the the little gelding. He had a tremendous run the last month. I, like a lot of people threw him out of the Derby as soon as the past performances came out. He proved in the Preakness and The Belmont that he belongs. The fact Mine That Bird has no value as a sire hopefully we will see him for a couple years to come.
With a third place finish in The Belmont on Saturday hopefully the curtain closed on the "Calvin Borel Show". I was a big Calvin fan on the first Saturday in May, I found his youthful excitement after the Derby victory enjoyable, as I did when he won on Street Sense. Come the Preakness and the guaranteed victory in a interview minutes before the race and the finger waging and showboating even before the finish line, my opinion was changing. I began to officially dislike Calvin when he worked Mine That Bird at Churchill and guaranteed a victory in the Belmont four days later. Off to the Big Apple it was, and a trip to the Letterman Show, countless interviews and plenty of media coverage. Apparently Calvin was to busy to grab some mounts at Big Sandy and become a little more familiar with the track. Well I hope you enjoyed your vacation in NYC Calvin and the fifteen minutes of fame.
On the track I found the actual race very exciting. The run from the top of the stretch to the finish was back and forth between Mine That Bird and Dunkirk, throw in Charitable Man and the champ Summer Bird and the stretch run brought me to the edge of my seat.
Hats of the the little gelding. He had a tremendous run the last month. I, like a lot of people threw him out of the Derby as soon as the past performances came out. He proved in the Preakness and The Belmont that he belongs. The fact Mine That Bird has no value as a sire hopefully we will see him for a couple years to come.
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