I don't think he's expecting Junior to be better than Palace Malice or Will Take Charge ... he's OK with that goal for next year. Right now it appears to be only 3 year old he's wanting to prove.

As far as the Turf BC entry? Not positive what distances they're looking at. I got the impression we're looking at 8 to 10 furlong races most likely. I think you're right about the Dirt Mile as one of the nominated races. I'm almost positive he mentioned that one specifically. Definitely leaning away from the Classic right now ... but may nominate it in case Tonalist or Shared Belief try it.

Keep in mind that things can ALWAYS change ... this is horse racing you know? 

Just letting you know where things stand as of yesterday. We hung out with Steve and Carolyn all weekend at Los Al.

One add Curtis ...

If there were nothing riding on it but pride, Steve would want to beat Tonalist. He wants to prove his horse is better ... it's that simple.

But sure, he'd like an Eclipse too ... he figures beating Tonalist is a good way to get it. It's win win for him.

He's not concerned with proving Junior is the best race horse in the country ... but he IS concerned with proving beyond any shadow of a doubt that he's the best 3 year old.

He just basically wants to beat any 3 year old that people may think is better than CC though ... so that may entail beating Shared Belief too. But ... if he could only face one or the other, he wants Tonalist ... he wants revenge ... in a sporting way.

Curtis ... I haven't read your whole post yet (it's long) ...

One quick, seeming misunderstanding is that what I said, or at least meant to say, was they they will NOT have their course dictated by what outsiders or press deems is the best route to an Eclipse. Ergo ... they're not going to run in the BC Classic just because media or fans think they should.

They're perfectly happy with the 3 year old Eclipse.

They're eager to put Junior on the Turf. Per Steve, Art thinks he's going to be a monster on Turf.

One of the BC races they're going to nominate him for is likely to be on Turf. The most likely BC route will be whatever race Tonalist enters. They are eager to turn the tables on him with 4 good feet. They're uber-confident ... well ... at least Steve is. 

I'll read the rest later when I have more time.

P.S. - I don't think you're trying to be a jerk or anything, so no worries. I don't view you that way.

I think fortunately, only good people are posting here.

Quote from: curtis on July 06, 2014, 09:17:55 PM
What race would Shared Belief and Tonalist target if not the Classic?  I don't doubt the gossip that you're passing on but it sounds suspiciously like owner/trainer speak.

The "gossip" is directly from the owner/trainer ... although I'm not sure why info directly from the owner/trainer would be considered "gossip" ... seems like a pretty good source to me.

Also ... for those speculating that there will be more than 1 prep race before the BC ... not gonna happen unless they do a total 180 ... definitely not in the plans as of right now.

Just read a DRF article saying that Junior's long term goal for the year is the Breeders' Cup Classic ...

That is incorrect. He'll be entered in 3 BC races ... The ONLY way he will run in the Classic is if Tonalist or Shared Belief does ...

Otherwise, look for him in a different BC race ... that either Tonalist or Shared Belief or BOTH are in.

Bank on it.

They ARE correct about the desire to be a prep in a race to be written for him at Los Alamitos though. Steve and company are very loyal to Los Al and would love to prep there for the track.

It's his 2nd after a long layoff/retirement, but Tres Borrachos runs this Saturday at Los Al.

Quote from: peeptoad on July 02, 2014, 09:38:10 AM
He has a respectable record... and if Bayern doesn't freak he's a multiple stakes winner. I think he has a shot, but I think the public makes SB the favorite, unless Bayern runs. Two turns is the question for TF. No reason he can't get 9F, but he does seem to have a rather sprint oriented pedigree.
Of course, SB needs to be at his best 2nd off a long layoff as well, and in his first try on dirt.
I don't really think it's disputable that Bayern running would make this field a LOT stronger though.

Entries are in ... no Bayern.   

The 3 best are all together ... posts 5, 6 and 7

Quote from: peeptoad on July 02, 2014, 08:55:52 AM
That info came from DRF... yeah, we will know soon if Bayern is to run. His inclusion would really strengthen the field imo. As it stands Shared Belief should go off heavily favored, despite the fact that he will be making his dirt debut.

Top Fortitude is on fire ... he's got a real shot at the win here regardless.

Quote from: peeptoad on July 02, 2014, 04:42:30 AM
Looks like Mike Smith will ride Shared Belief and the projected field will be short: Can the Man, Candy Boy, Friendswith K Mill, Top Fortitude, and Tonito M, in addition to SB.

I've been hearing Bayern also ... but who knows? Guess we'll know soon!

If he makes it ... a field with Shared Belief, Bayern, Top Fortitude and Candy Boy, while kind of small, looks quite impressive to me. I see the win contention being with Shared Belief, Bayern and Top Fortitude. 

Quote from: Man o Taz on July 01, 2014, 12:42:08 PM
Great to see CC getting all the notoriety that he is out West and even in the Far East.

Wish we could be a part of it!

There's always the Breeders Cup! 

As far as leading the post parade for the Los Alamitos Derby? That would be cool, but Junior is vacationing ... so unfortunately it's not gonna happen.

Del Mar has a celebration planned for him though. Not sure if he'll physically be there or not though.

Quote from: Man o Taz on July 01, 2014, 10:48:03 AM
Will do. Thanks.

Are you all getting set for the Los Alamitos Derby?

It would be great if Chrome could lead the post parade, but I understand he needs his rest.

Yep! I'll be there. We're having lunch with Steve, Carolyn and Art. So I may be privy to share more then.

What I am able to share right now is they're just doing one prep(to be decided ... but in September) and Junior will be entered in 3 Breeders Cup races. The one he enters will likely have Tonalist in it.
They want to turn the tables on him. 

Japan and Dubai are pressuring them BIG TIME to run there ... but as of now, they're intent on putting the horse first ... so thankfully, they're not planning to head to either of those locales. 

Japan has told them that CC is HUGELY popular there evidently.

As far as Cali Chrome, Taz ...

Don't believe everything you read ...

It will be 2 races though. 

Quote from: peeptoad on June 26, 2014, 03:14:46 PM
Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh! I had a win bet on 6 Dickery Do in SA5... that's a heartbreaker. 

Yeah ... I was cheering for him ... he finally almost did it!

What the heck ... I'll give it a shot ...

Santa Anita today ...

Race 5 - Toowindytohaulrox - 6-1 on the morning line.

Race 6 - Longshot of the day ... longest shot by far in the field - Crimson Giant - 20-1 on the morning line. Always runs against much tougher and finally drew a lesser field.

Race 7 - Horizontalyspeakin - 4-1 on the morning line.