Morning Line points for Classic

[Turkoman]

I hadn't read the article yet, but feel this horse will have to be at his very best in order to have a chance. My choice, by the way, is still Blame.

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.drf.com/news/morning-line-looks-imitate-his-father-bc-classic

Turkoman

[Spalding No!]

I hadn't read the article yet, but feel this horse will have to be at his very best in order to have a chance. My choice, by the way, is still Blame.

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.drf.com/news/morning-line-looks-imitate-his-father-bc-classic

Turkoman
This year's Regal Ransom.

Has there been a more lightly-raced colt in the race before? Casino Drive, French Deputy, Formal Gold...

Not looking too good.

Pace factor only.

[Robert Fischer]

key differences being that RR wasn't even worth reviewing = that is he had told all there is to know with loud and clear obvious signs, and RR also would obviously hate the surface.
Completely tossed from everything, RR surprised me and ran much better than I expected, really hanging on much later in the race than he "should" have. (Luckily they pay out for finish position and not performance) I wouldn't have thought that I would be leaning toward Regal Ransom when comparing Richard's Kid to RR for the 2009 classic.

I don't really know who Morning Line is as much as I did Regal Ransom. He should like the Chuch better than Ransom over Synthetic. The unfinished work that stands out is that I have to go back and watch 7/31 and 5/22. I was very lazy for the PaD because there were 2 obvious contenders and the race hinged on how much fan money would enter the pools,(and underlaying first dude), not splitting hairs between ML and A Little Warm. I had guessed that Morning Line would easily wire that field, and I was wrong- A Little Warm eventually controlled the initiative in that race and ALW "lost it" every bit as much as Morning Line "won it", -but it was just an estimate.
Extremely unlikely that those MLs key 2 races will turn up anything, but anyway that is the difference between RR and ML IMO.

[Turkoman]

This year's Regal Ransom.

Has there been a more lightly-raced colt in the race before? Casino Drive, French Deputy, Formal Gold...

Not looking too good.

Pace factor only.

I don't know, but Morning Line has just six races under his belt, five as a three year old. He broke his maiden just three months ago.

Turkoman

[OTM Al]

If he makes the field it is a great commentary on the lack of quality horses in recent times.

[Hanover1]

I'm all for any horse/connection that thinks they have a shot. Don't horses have to meet certain criteria to even be considered a starter? Has this horse qualified in any such manner as yet? I know some races, you can nominate late, for a hefty fee, but is there not other criteria for BC entry? I remember that certain races ran point systems in the past to be qualified. Either thru earninv via sanctioned races, or top earnings.
I am not up on BC matters is why I ask. Any enlightenment in case lightning strikes my mailbox one of these days is appreciated.

[WinterTriangle]

Tiznow is the only horse who won this race twice.

And you have Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable built around Hall of Famers Zito, Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas advice.

Then, check out the female side of the pedigree.

Not sure I would discount this horse, esp. since the 3 year old ranks seems decimated this year.

bTW, you want to see a real tear-jerker, when Tiznow won, and Cecilia Straubs lost her battle to cancer 3 days after his Tiznow's first win, go here for the Robbins interview. What a memory!

Tiznow's 2001 BC classic (extended coverage)
(NBC pre-race, race & post race):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adFhbrdX4Kc

[bisket]

i'll have to see how everything shakes out as far as post positions and who shows up. at this point the only way i'd consider "morning" is if his post agreed with him, the track agreed with him, and the pace looked to be a little on the slow side. he looks to be one that a pace to fast or two slow would hinder him, but theres really not a whole lot to go on. this will be one that i'll take a little more time than others to get to know... the payoff might be worth it!!

[Turkoman]

Yes, I remember Tiznow, and what he did is amazing. But that doesn't mean much sometimes. Look at Nicanor, a FULL brother of Barbaro. Is he as good as his brother was?

I'm not saying Morning Line isn't a nice and talented horse. He will probably be very tough as a four year old, but asking him to win the Classic is a little too much right now.

Turkoman

[Hanover1]

Looks like a case of fresh vs seasoned to me....my money always sided with seasoned when it came to the big dances.