gio ponti in the breeders cup turf

[bisket]

i've heard many handicappers say they don't like gio popnti past 1 1/4 miles. question: how does the fact that 1 1/2 mile races at santa anita start on the downhill portion of their turf course figure into this. i believe the first 2 to 3 furs of the race will be downhill. this gives the field an almost effortless start. would this move gio ponti up? my opinion would be: yes!!

[andymays]

i've heard many handicappers say they don't like gio popnti past 1 1/4 miles. question: how does the fact that 1 1/2 mile races at santa anita start on the downhill portion of their turf course figure into this. i believe the first 2 to 3 furs of the race will be downhill. this gives the field an almost effortless start. would this move gio ponti up? my opinion would be: yes!!


The downhill course has the only right hand turn in American racing I believe, and it is downhill so it probably plays close to an eighth of a mile less in my opinion.

[bisket]

lots of times speed can get out to a free 1/4!! theres a 1 1/2 mile graded turf race that runs in the spring i hit two years running with what i would call cheap speed. both times i got good odds on those horses. if precious passion runs; she'll probably be in the tri. most handicappers don't take this into consideration. it makes a difference!!

[tribecaagent]

Why wouldn't Clement & Co. take a shot and run in the Classic? HOY is already locked up. What's to lose?

[bisket]

i think the classic would be where i'd run him, but i wouldn't toss him if he does show up in the turf. i think ponti may just be our countries best hope at winning the classic.