TGJB,

I'm not sure I understand your view on Pletcher and Bandini.

I scan your trainer/speed figure stats (which are great by the way), but I haven't looked at all of them very carefully.

However, I've been following Pletcher horses for as long as he's been a top trainer. His horses do generally come out running, but they also improve at approximately the same rate as he moves them up the ladder. They also seem to improve more often than for just about anyone else - hence his incredible win percentage. He spots them where they belong as they improve. IMO, he may be the best trainer on the planet in this regard.

This may be a different profile than someone that brings out a potential star dead short and then moves them forward in a couple of massive spurts, but I thought Bandini was an absolute mortal lock dead stone cinch to improve in the BG. Several lengths was certainly not out of question given how lightly raced he was. It was just a matter of exactly how much because of the issues with his foot.

IMO, Pletcher is one notch below "GOD" and all his horses should be viewed in that light. He should have been elected pope! :-)

I won't talk about the others in the race as per your request.



Post Edited (04-20-05 17:24)