Re: Travers handicapping discussion (691 Views)
Posted by:
Ollie (IP Logged)
Date: August 21, 2014 07:16PM
I firmly believe nothing is beating Wicked Strong on Saturday. He is a completely different runner now, that the blinkers have been added. JAJ remedied the problem, which had caused the horse to look around during his races --- being unfocused, along with the head turning, veering in and out in response to the whip, making wrong lead changes --- which cost him valuable time, and distance.
Suggest people go back and review his raw talent, that was on display in the Remsen last year. He was thrust into the race just after breaking his maiden. All the negative items cited above were on display for all to see. And despite all that, he still almost pulled it off, and won the race. He was also virtually the only horse to make up any appreciable amount of ground in the Aqueduct stretch that entire day, and that was with Cairo Prince and Honor Code, (the two front runners), setting dawdling fractions to boot. So, how just how good was he, even with all the greenness and immaturity shown?
Granted, the Remsen was nine months, and we all know how much can change in that period of time, don't we? That applies to both, good things, as well as bad things. Now that the power and the raw talent have been harnessed, I believe strongly, we are not even close to seeing the best out of this horse. For me, he just moved to a different plateau. If I can get 7/2 on him, I'll consider it a gift.
As Always, the Best of Luck to All !!!