Bayern to the Travers....

[Thebigguy]

I like this. Makes the race very easy. Bayern either wires or Wicked Strong sits 3rd-4th early and grinds him down. No one else can possibly win this race. Hoping people still bet Tonalist.

[Rex Phinney]

Originally Posted by Thebigguy

I like this. Makes the race very easy. Bayern either wires or Wicked Strong sits 3rd-4th early and grinds him down. No one else can possibly win this race. Hoping people still bet Tonalist.

Wicked Strong's last race says that sitting 3rd or 4th may not be the way he wins races?

From the looks of the Jim Dandy and the Whitney if Bayern gets anywhere near the lead it's going to be all over.

[letswastemoney]

Using Timeform, the Haskell was a much faster race. I have to think Bayern wins in a fair race.

[Rex Phinney]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

Using Timeform, the Haskell was a much faster race. I have to think Bayern wins in a fair race.

All the Jim Dandy did for me was show Tonalist is not as good as I thought he was.

That being said it's the time of year where Baffert runs out of options for 3YO's out here. I don't know if he really thinks Bayern can go that far or handle the track, but where else is he going to go?

[Stillriledup]

"Speed" isn't as good at the Spa, its a more tiring surface......which is a big factor.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by Rex Phinney

All the Jim Dandy did for me was show Tonalist is not as good as I thought he was.

That being said it's the time of year where Baffert runs out of options for 3YO's out here. I don't know if he really thinks Bayern can go that far or handle the track, but where else is he going to go?

I just think a lightbulb went off in Bayern's head in the Woody Stephens. From a breeding standpoint, he should be able to go farther.

If Wicked Strong doesn't challenge Bayern early, from what the probables look like, it should be pretty easy for Bayern to conserve energy.

(got this from another forum)

Bayern (Baffert)
Tonalist (Clement)
Wicked Strong (Jerkens)
Kid Cruz (Rice)
Commanding Curve (Stewart)
V.E. Day (Jerkens)
Charge Now (Mott)
Ulanbator (Wilkes)
Viva Majorca (Wilkes)

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by Stillriledup

"Speed" isn't as good at the Spa, its a more tiring surface......which is a big factor.

If Moreno can do it...

[Redboard]

Tonalist will be the betting favorite, IMO. The Jim D was a prep. The extra furlong will help. There's no doubt he can get the distance.

[zico20]

Lets not kid ourselves. Wicked Strong has no early speed. The jock could whip him coming right out of the gate and he still wouldn't be close to Bayern after a quarter mile. If Bayern can get the mile and a quarter everyone else is running for second. Tonalist has to improve a dozen lengths off his best effort to beat Bayern off his best. Sure looks alot like bayern over wicked strong and tonalist for the trifecta.

Just remember, Baffert said back in February that Bayern was his best 3 yr old. Looks like that is finally coming true.

[1GCFAN]

If Irish You Well runs he will have a shot a part of the ticket or more.

[PhantomOnTour]

Doesn't anyone use a rabbit anymore?
Jerkens or Rice or Clement need someone to keep Bayern honest or it appears to be a waltz around the oval for him.

Still haven't seen the actual field or pp's though

[Tom]

Bayern is 4th at best.

[Thebigguy]

Originally Posted by Redboard

Tonalist will be the betting favorite, IMO. The Jim D was a prep. The extra furlong will help. There's no doubt he can get the distance.

You're joking right???
I pray to the mighty lord he's the chalk.... He has almost no chance to win this race.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by PhantomOnTour

Doesn't anyone use a rabbit anymore?
Jerkens or Rice or Clement need someone to keep Bayern honest or it appears to be a waltz around the oval for him.

Still haven't seen the actual field or pp's though

In scrolling down the posts, I was wondering how long it would take for someone to bring this up.
We don't see this as much anymore.
I remember some trainers referring to rabbits as bush league.
IMO it's kind of a dick move to enter a sprinter or miler with lots of speed in a 10 furlong race where the best horse is the lone speed.
Getting to the Travers, if Bayern is the controlling speed, he wins.
Saratoga is a funny place....The main track seems to produce winners that close in sprints but not in routes. Even if the pace is reasonable.
For example Moreno's splits were 23.67, 23.83,23.81, 24.10, 12.84. Not exactly loping on the lead..Nobody was gaining on the winner until the last 50 yards when Itsmyluckyday closed a bit, but by that time Moreno was ridden out.
Bayern's Haskell win was much the same type performance. Led every call.
Without a main speed contender for Bayern, the Travers sets up well for the colt.

[TheEdge07]

Didnt the great Frankel used a rabbit in a couple of his big races?