Michael D. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> he's a very honest animal. solid races from 7f to
> 9f as a two yr old, and solid races from 8.5f to
> 12f as a three year old (at three different
> tracks).
>
> i think he was unlucky on saturday. post 9 wasn't
> a good draw, but the horse has good tactical
> speed, and, going in, you had to think he would
> save a bit more ground than he did. if Gomez
> doesn't gun early with B&J, it's likely
> bluegrass wins the race.
>
> i'm not sure he's more than a '1' or '2' horse at
> the moment though.
>
> mid season rankings:
>
> 1. bernardini
> 2. discreet cat
> 3. SNS
> 4. bluegrass cat
> 5. sunriver
> 6. brother derek
> 7. jazil
>
> it's tough putting sunriver ahead of jazil, but
> the latter did have the better of it in terms of
> timing going into the Belmont. i don't really like
> bro derek much either, but given proper rest, and
> given the trip, he can get back to the '0' lvl.
> get him back with his comfy california
> competition, and he'll be back in the circle.
>
> potentials coming back off injuries:
>
> 1. barbican
> 2. corinthian
>
>
> the cal crew was phony, but ap warrior still
> interests me a bit. he's got the bernardini look
> of ap indy over quiet american over northern
> dancer. one of these days maybe.
>
>

Agree with many on that list Michael. Regarding the Blue Cat, most Storm Cats are precocious. They show their best at 2 and early at 3 until their peers catch up with them. Usually, I don't expect Storm Cats to run on in top company at 4, but there are some exceptions. Tabasco Cat and Cat Thief come to mind. (Correction, Tabasco Cat never raced as a 4YO). TGraph has their Sire Index and not sure if it agrees with my anecdotal experience but thats the take for what its worth. Storm Cats are usually pretty high strung too and Bluecat washing out is pretty much par for the course.

Additionally, Jazil did not break real well either and it is rare for a closer to win the Belmont from last. Think that feat was in great part a function of the horses he had to pass.

As for Discreet Cat, (who is a Forestry I believe), can't commit opinion to him as of yet. Rumor has it the competition was drugged in his big Arabia win, so have to remain a skeptic until a winning margin is displayed here. Probably will take a mighty swing at him first start stateside.

The only horse I would add is Sinister Minister. Don't think we saw he's typcial race Derby Day. Not sure what his typical race is yet, but to my mind theres reason to think he is going to demolish the Haskell field regardless of who shows up for it.

CtC




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2006 08:59PM by Chuckles_the_Clown2.