TGJB - you make two good points regarding the trainers. Looking back, you have to figure in the Frankel factor. Looking forward, I am indeed a bit nervous about counting on a Pletcher horse to dramatically improve several months into a campaign. However, Shaniko started out as a 2yo under the notoriously patient Drysdale and Pletcher did not get him until late in his 2yo year, which means that he was probably not pushed to develop early the way a typical Pletcher horse would be (at least that's my rationalization and I am sticking to it..:-)

I am pleased to hear that I will like the fig Shaniko ran in his last. Having to guess at that was what almost caused me to pass completely but after looking at all the sheets and times for the day and watching the replays a couple of times, I was convinced that he probably ran a new top, which was good enough for me. If SFTF had not been in the same allowance race, Shaniko would have swooped around the entire field (with a Derby-winning-type move) and drawn off to win by 3 and probably had his odds cut in half.

Thanks

Chris