Quote from: Man o Taz on June 06, 2016, 01:22:15 PM
Wise words.
I agree. She will be facing what should be a stronger Stellar Wind and with that hopefully some stronger contenders than she faced in last year's edition.
This should give her a prime tune up for the Pacific Classic.
Who knows? Depending upon who California Chrome faces, she could face the stronger field.
After all, as long as Stellar Wind enters there is a G1 winner in the race. Which former G1 is going to enter against California Chrome? I would think any current or former G1 winners would be running in the Gold Cup and then pointing to the Classic with one exception. Firing Line could be an entry in the San Diego to prepare him for the Pacific Classic. It will be an interesting race to watch because Chrome is usually not at his sharpest first race off a lay off (See PA Derby and San Antonio) though this year's San Pasqual he looked pretty good. For Firing Line, though, this could be the chance to beat Chrome if he is ever going to.
When a horse is out for over a year, in this case Firing Line, it's really hard to know what you'll get. Also factoring in whether or not he'll have moved forward through maturation. If he were to come out guns a blazing, for the San Diego, there is a risk he'll bounce in the PC. My guess is he'll be about 90% for the San Diego at best, with the hope he'll tighten the screws coming up to the PC. I also don't love him at 10f but without knowing who will be in against him, I'll shelve that concern for now.
The reason, I think, for shortening the Vanity, was to attract sprinters to go against the middle distance types. All it really attracted was Lost Bus who may need to change her name to
Needs A Bus if she's going to try stretching out again against those types. Stellar Wind was at a huge disadvantage as she really needs 9f for her best trip although she can act well enough at 8.5f. Thus, the race was very predictable with the two classiest horses running one, two. Beholder will have a more formidable foe in Stellar Wind in the Hirsch, if that one goes, but I don't think that is the key in preparing her. Beholder will run her race regardless of who is in with her, now the race shape will play a factor, but she doesn't need several top mares in against her to give her a good prep. Last year she was in what I like to call
run through the bridle form after the Hirsch and going into the PC. She was as good as she could possibly be. The PC field last year were sacrificial lambs with only a peak form Bayern with much chance. Bayern was spent though and she just breezed. Now what is
run through the bridle form? I define it pretty much the way Potter Stewart defined pornography. It's really hard to explain, however I know it when I see it.