Re: How fast was it? (522 Views)
Posted by:
fkach (IP Logged)
Date: August 02, 2007 09:11AM
>Lawyers Ron was performance aided.<
The problem with this is that LR demonstrated clear cut rankness issues in his 3YO career. Most pace sensitive handicappers ABSOLUTELY KNEW that he had more ability/potential than most final time handicappers were giving him credit for last year.
If you correct that problem, throw in some maturity development, and give TP just a little credit, this was hardly a shocking performance at this point in his form cycle. It's not like Wanderin Boy etc... are giants in the racing world. THis was a very very deep field, but there probably wasn't a legitimate Grade 1 horse in the race (until now). He wiped out a solid field, but not in an totally uncommon way unless you totally trust a clocking that is clearly suspect as to track speed.
The thing about TP that his critics refuse to acknowledge is that when his horses develop, they do so over time. He rarely gets a new horse and moves it up immediately (like some trainers). He's had LR for a long time.
That strongly suggests that something else is involved. Maybe it's horsemanship. Maybe it's horsemanship and steroids (or something else that takes time). Who knows. But IMHO, it's a lot harder to toss around accusations against a man that gets the best stock, best help, best treatments, works his ass off, and rarely has a giant move up first time he has a horse. The PP's of his horses rarely smell bad like some for some trainers.