Re: Belmont possibles (587 Views)
Posted by:
ringato3 (IP Logged)
Date: May 19, 2015 10:00AM
Mike,
I hear you. I did read that Kiaran said they did the procedure despite any proof the horse needed it.
Yes, a complete "make over" for the Wood. Dropped further back, new jockey and the procedure.
To me, the hardest horse to read of the contenders. I hear your view point that dropping further back than usual to increase his "punch" could have been the key. But I am assuming you saw the earlier race where he inhaled the leader with Ortiz like a statue turning for home, then stopped like he was shot. It sure looks like a horse that had trouble getting air. He want from a sure winner to stopping on a dime.
If I don't believe the surgery helped, and it was the race tactics, then i also have to believe he had to be perfectly ridden to get the 1 1/8 and has little shot to get the 1 1/2.
Rosario another X factor. I know he has never been popular on this board, but last year I thought he was an up and coming "muscle" rider, who would learn finesse and become great. He took a HUGE STEP BACKWARDS this year. Hard to believe how poorly he rode at Gulfstream. Since when did "miss the break, rush up 7 wide with a middle move to brush to the lead like they do at Yonkers or the Meadowlands" become a winning move. Or get blocked in 40% of your turf races. Was waiting to read the announcement that he was getting divorced or checking into a rehab clinic. The riding was that bad IMO. That said, he appears to be coming out of it a bit the last few weeks, riding a bit more like his old self.
On a related note, becoming hard to not use Javier in turf races. Starting to remind me of Ramon, who I will always think was the best of his generation, but never got his due because he didn't travel to ride the big names.
Rob