Highs

California Chrome returning in fine fettle. Songbird.

Lows

Breakdowns at Del Mar, Recepta

Quote from: stark on August 07, 2016, 11:03:01 AM
Maybe only 98 but very nice indeed!?

I'm only quoting the TVG talking heads. Apparently, they were wrong.

Straight Fire looked incredible in the Shared Belief colors of Jim Rome yesterday at Del Mar. He broke his maiden with an impressive 101 Beyer.

I think it was Mike Joyce of TVG who said, after American Cleopatra's gallop out, "We in the wagering world are a bunch of morons."

I won't red board, but she sure looked good in the post parade. Debutante next? I hope so.

Quote from: Dusty on July 30, 2016, 10:15:36 PM
Soooo - will Beholder run ..or not??? I really was surprised that Stellar Wind won - happy  but surprised

Not, I think her next start will be in the Zenyatta, where she'll probably run against Stellar Windows again. I'd like to see Beholder in the BC Dirt Mile, so she can be the first horse in BC history to win 3 different races.

He reminds me of the other Guillot runner, Moreno.

Melatonin is such an underrated horse. He's been so consistent, running race after race we other triple digit Beyers.  It would be a shame to see him not run.

I think Coburn lives in Nevada, or did live there recently, hence the name.

She got the "look in the eye" test, and passed with flying colors.  Alabama here we come. She'll win by a pole.

Quote from: curtis on July 24, 2016, 08:22:24 AM
They can't breed her until next year so the timing is strange. Pletcher probably doesn't think she's able to be competitive with the top fillies going forward.

I wonder if she may have had some subpar workouts and the decision was made to retire her. If anyone follows her please fill us in.

Quote from: stark on July 24, 2016, 08:07:40 AM
California Chrome earned 111 Beyer Figure in thrilling G2 San Diego on Saturday at Del Mar. Dortmund, runner-up by half-length, earned 110.

Well deserved high number for these two game horses.

Dortmund really is one BIG horse, small wonder Baffert wanted him to take off 20 lbs prior to this race.

http://www.stonestreetfarms.com/2016/07/24/rachelsvalentina/

Surprised they didn't continue with her through Saratoga.

Quote from: CA_Chrome on July 24, 2016, 05:02:12 AM
Both horses were coming off layoffs, although Dortmund's was longer.

Neither horse was geared up 100% for this race.

Chrome was giving Dortmund 5 pounds.

Many think Dortmund is best between 1 mile and 1 1/8ths.

Chrome has been running classic distances and had to shorten up from 1 1/4 to 1 1/16th.

Dortmund did get even with Chrome in the stretch, but Chrome was pulling away at the end which tells me the longer they would have gone, the more Chrome would have won by.

Completely agree with everything you say. When you look at the final 16th, you can see Dortmund's ears are pinned during the stretch duel while CC is not being pushed as much after the initial "uh-oh, he's not going to cave" moment, when Victor calls for an extra burst from Chrome.

If I were his connections, I'd place Dortmund in the BC Dirt Mile. He'd be hard to beat there. Or if he's lucky he'll draw an outside post like Bayern, take out half the field coming out of the gate, win, and not be taken down. Meow.

Quote from: Diver52 on July 23, 2016, 11:00:31 PM
It's possible that Stevens and Espinoza will be caught up with each other stalking and Dortzilla could sneak away.  Right now my strategy might be to put the pedal to the metal on D.  A slowish pace just let CC stay close.  But mostly I just hope they both show up in the PC with Beholder.  Great race by both.

Dortmund will need to find another rider, because there's no way Stevens is going to opt for him over Beholder.

Wow! OK, it was more like 6 1/2 inches. Good time, that final 5/16 must have been FAST!