Jimbo:


As always, a well thought out analysis. How have the referees and placekickers been
treating you?

The race I would like to focus on is the F&M Turf, which features Wait a While,
who has been brilliant over a short career, and Ouija Board, who has been equally
brilliant over an extended career.

Wait a While-- has been untested in her 3 turf wins this year. The outcome of
these 3 races was determined at the 3/8ths pole, and she was not really
persevered with thereafter. The implication is that she could have run faster if
she had needed to. (Where is Classhandicapper to debate the effect of the
ease of her wins on the numbers she earned?) That being said, she takes a huge step up
in class on Saturday and IMO is a possible winner, but offers little value at likely odds of
5/2. WAW has also never been tested on anything other than firm going.

Ouija Board-- the oft repeated logic in past years, as racing has become
increasingly global,has been that excursions to
distant and exotic racing destinations tends to set horses
back four to six months. On November 27 of 05, OB was in Tokyo.
2 weeks later, she raced in Hong Kong. On March 25 of 06, she raced
in Dubai. On April 23, she made a return visit to Hong Kong. All
OB did after this extensive and unconventional Fall/ Winter campaign
was to return for a Spring/ Summer campaign during which she came
up against and held her own against the best turf males in Europe.

In a post a couple of months back, Michael D mentioned that OB might be compromised
by CD's tight turf turns,but OB prevailed at Lone Star 2 years back
on a similar course.

The big question for OB: How much is left in the tank for this, her likely last career start.

Film Maker--yes she is as fast as any of these, but she has been outfinished by Honey Ryder
twice and OB twice.Although she was wide in the Flower Bowl, and Honey Ryder saved ground,
my impression was that FM had every chance to get by HR, but couldn't. Trainer Motion's
runners always seem to show up on BC Day.

Longshots: Two young lightly raced daughters of Muhtathir.(A) Mauralakana, a 3YO
from Biancone who seemed to have a rough go in Keeneland's QE II from post 11
and should love added ground. No number power, and hence a huge price. (B) Satwa
Queen (improvement noted after six month freshening after Dubai races, posting
TG 2 and TG 3 in last 2 Euro starts).



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2006 11:05PM by richiebee.