Anyone ever hear of a Trainer not running cuz of post #9?

[cj]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I may have been wrong. He would have given HOT ROD CHARLIE all he wanted and more in the PA. DERBY.

Gotta think MEDINA will now be the 2nd choice in the Classic.

I'd be surprised if he gets bet more Knicks Go, Hot Rod Charlie, or Essential Quality.

[classhandicapper]

There are a few horses in the Classic that prefer the lead or that at least want to stalk the lead. I'm not sure anyone is crazy enough to try to outrun Knicks Go, but he should have to set a solid pace to get the lead. Of course, you never know. Maybe someone will break in/out take Knicks Go out of the race early and allow Medina Spirit to make the lead.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by cj

I'd be surprised if he gets bet more Knicks Go, Hot Rod Charlie, or Essential Quality.

You think he'll be the 4th choice?

Wow. I'd wager a Diet Coke on that.

If I had to make the line for those 4 right now I'd go with.

KNICKS GO 8/5

MEDINA SPIRIT 3-1

ESSENTIAL QUALITY 7/2

HOT ROD CHARLIE 6-1

Truth be told I was surprised he went favored over TRIPOLI in the AWESOME AGAIN.

It wasn't even close. MEDINA opened at 4/5 and never went past 6/5. It tells me there's a VERY LARGE group of players who think he's VERY special.

His race shouldn't have I guess. But it caught me off guard. It was MASSIVE.

I can't see him not being the 2nd choice.

We're not far from finding out. BC at Del Mar is a month away.

Gonna be a great show as always.

I've already started my film work. Taking down the BCBC this year!

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

Give Baffert credit. Medina Spirit looked great in the Awesome Again with the extra rest and post 5.

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I may have been wrong. He would have given HOT ROD CHARLIE all he wanted and more in the PA. DERBY.

Medina Spirit is like the son War Emblem never had. Pace factor only in the Classic.

Meanwhile, Hot Rod Charlie looked like a switchboard operator in the PA Derby based on the number of times he swapped leads in the stretch. Given his earlier displays of being able to disconnect someone's account (dumping Paco Lopez from Midnight Bourbon) and providing long distance service (blowing the turn at Parx), he might want to apply for a job with AT&T.

Midnight Bourbon should skip the BC and target the Clark while hoping to mature into Gun Runner-type capabilities next year as a 4yo when most of his compatriots are probably off to retirement.

[classhandicapper]

I think Essential Quality is going to be the favorite.

I think there will be at least some skepticism about Knicks Go's ability at 10F and some skepticism about Medina Spirit's ability to win chasing Knicks Go instead of being on the lead. IMO that will probably elevate Essential Quality slightly above them in the betting. Hot Rod Charlie will also have a ton of support, but I don't think he'll get bet over Essential Quality.

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I think Essential Quality is going to be the favorite.

I think there will be at least some skepticism about Knicks Go's ability at 10F and some skepticism about Medina Spirit's ability to win chasing Knicks Go instead of being on the lead. IMO that will probably elevate Essential Quality slightly above them in the betting. Hot Rod Charlie will also have a ton of support, but I don't think he'll get bet over Essential Quality.

Sounds reasonable.


It's going to be a tough betting race if there isn't enough early speed to harass Knicks Go.

Cox has a good hand.

[cj]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

You think he'll be the 4th choice?

Wow. I'd wager a Diet Coke on that.

You're on. 2nd choice you win, 4th choice I win, third choice a push.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I think Essential Quality is going to be the favorite.

I think there will be at least some skepticism about Knicks Go's ability at 10F and some skepticism about Medina Spirit's ability to win chasing Knicks Go instead of being on the lead. IMO that will probably elevate Essential Quality slightly above them in the betting. Hot Rod Charlie will also have a ton of support, but I don't think he'll get bet over Essential Quality.

Wow! Now that's one I'd bet a whole lot more than a Diet Coke on.

IMO there's no conceivable chance KNICKS GO isn't the favorite.

You could be right about race shape boosting EQ's attractiveness.

I went back and forth between him and MEDINA for 2nd Class, if you'd like to make a friendly wager on who will be shorter between KG & EQ. You name the amount.

I'd bet $10,000 if there was someone who would take it.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by cj

You're on. 2nd choice you win, 4th choice I win, third choice a push.

Deal

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Wow! Now that's one I'd bet a whole lot more than a Diet Coke on.

IMO there's no conceivable chance KNICKS GO isn't the favorite.

You could be right about race shape boosting EQ's attractiveness.

I went back and forth between him and MEDINA for 2nd Class, if you'd like to make a friendly wager on who will be shorter between KG & EQ. You name the amount.

I'd bet $10,000 if there was someone who would take it.

The way track is playing will be an issue in my final decision but if the track is neutral and Essential Quality is 7/2 and HRC is 6-1 I’m going to bet both to win and box the exacta.

💰💰💰

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

The way track is playing will be an issue in my final decision but if the track is neutral and Essential Quality is 7/2 and HRC is 6-1 I’m going to bet both to win and box the exacta.

💰💰💰

Remember. I'm not talking about who I think is going to win. I'm miles away from that.

All I'm saying I am 1000% sure KNICKS GO will be the post time favorite.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Remember. I'm not talking about who I think is going to win. I'm miles away from that.

All I'm saying I am 1000% sure KNICKS GO will be the post time favorite.

I'm mildly skeptical of him getting 10f in a race with other quality speed. I think others will be too. My gut is petty good at predicting the betting, but you could easily be right. If you are right, next time I'm at OP I'll buy lunch.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I'm mildly skeptical of him getting 10f in a race with other quality speed. I think others will be too. My gut is petty good at predicting the betting, but you could easily be right. If you are right, next time I'm at OP I'll buy lunch.

Oaklawn Burger! Excellent. BBQ sauce on the side.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Oaklawn Burger! Excellent. BBQ sauce on the side.

I've only been there once, but I loved it. I'll be back soon. I'll try the burger.

[burnsy]

Knicks Go will be the favorite. Since when is speed not good in any of these events? I won’t say Medina Spirit ran a hole in the wind again and get made fun of. I was mad he scratched from the Penn derby cause it made the race unbettable. If you believe post 9 is the reason for scratching, look what he’s beating up on out there. This race will feature the real competition so I see Medina as a probable money burner in this spot. He will have to run faster than he ever has to see the lead here. Not impossible but I can’t bet on that. Knicks Go has one blemish this year . Off the return from Saudi….. gets a pass for that. Watching the Whitney, he’s setting serious fractions and still pulling away late. The horse �� to beat now and if the track is like it usually is on these days. Whatever price he is may be an over lay. Especially if people think he shouldn’t be the favorite. This horse is capable of stringing out the field and running them off their legs. That’s what he does when he’s right. I sort of have doubts about any of the 3 yo group keeping up with this horse until I see it actually happen.