With the quality of the horse flesh in the Epsom Derby looking a bit thin on the ground, It's nice to see what appears to be a superb colt sweeping all before him in the US Classics. Having won the Kentucky Derby, American Pharoah's effort the second leg of the Triple Classic, The Preakness, went a long way towards cementing his claim as being one of the best colts we've seen in quite some time. He carted the field along at a decent clip before they came at him down the back. For a few strides, he looked in danger. Then in the terrible conditions, American Pheroah then tore them apart in the run to the post. In buying into the colt, it certainly looks like Coolmore have pulled the right rein.
I can't imagine Coolmoore got him on the cheap though, they must have paid a fortune for him. Wether he can complete the triple crown he looks to me like he should be able to, but there are some pretty telling statistics to suggest he can't. Since Affirmed did it in the 70s, 11 horses have gone into the Belmont having won the first 2 and all 11 have failed. I think it has a lot to do with the way they run out in America on the dirt, horses don't seem to pace themselves to give them a chance of staying the extra 2 furlongs, they just start taking each other on right from the gates opening. So it's very hard to find a horse with the versatility to pull it off, as the Belmont plays into the hands of an out and out stayer, speed doesn't really come Into it late on. It also doesn't help that all 3 races are in the space of 5 weeks. I think the draw could be pretty key in the final leg, if he is drawn out wide and ends up travelling 3 wide then his chance will have gone, but if he can get down on the rail then he has a chance of doing it. I hope he does it, but I wouldn't back him at Evens, just because of the stats alone. I think they are pretty telling statistics as to how difficult winning the final leg is
Fine effort by the winner on "Sloppy" ground. This ground, the "slop" as we used to call it when I lived in Canada, is a strange surface. It most definitely is not "Slow" or "Heavy", two other wet-going descriptions on the dirt tracks of North America. Some horses go in the "slop" and just seem to skim over it. Others, such as (obviously) Dortmund and Firing Line, just don't. "Slow" conditions happen a few times, "Heavy" (just starting to dry-off from "Sloppy", I guess) I can only remember once in the Summer horseracing season in Alberta. Most of the time the going was just simply "Fast". American Pharoah does have a good chance in the Belmont, but KS is absolutely right, it is a damn difficult Triple Crown to achieve.
Was the fee in the region of $50,000,000? Seem to remember Big Brown being sold for something on that mark too.
Rumour has it that it was a bottle of Lucozade, a bag of Walkers Salt 'n' Vinegar Crisps and a bag of marbles. A bit of a retro 80s deal
Just had brief access to the account files on that deal and as it turns out your pretty much spot on, except it was Cheese and Onion and not Sore Finger crisps.
Cheese and onion - in principal a great idea (can't beat a slice of cheese with some raw onion - a classic combination, especially with a cold beer) but the crisps just taste like ****e to me. Where did it all go wrong? Nice one on the Jaffa Cakes Shergs - lovely biscuit. I wonder who had the idea of the choc/orange combo first - Jaffa Cakes or Terrys Chocolate Orange ("Tap it, unwrap it ....................")?
Oddy: Good Morning, but you got up too early. Eat your chips and Jaffa cake, "hold the onion", drink your milk, and go back to bed, and then, later, concentrate on what the hell you're going to back today. Tip: Follow Fabulous Fabio (what a name!), he's almost spooky lately!
I can't get interested in the flat racing Swanny. Maybe the Derby and Royal Ascot might get me looking at it more.
[QUOTE="OddDog Nice one on the Jaffa Cakes Shergs - lovely biscuit.[/QUOTE] Is the jaffa cake indeed a cake or a biscuit as marketed? It is cake like in texture but biscuit like in it's packaged convenience.
Can't win, Cyc, there's me trying a learned discourse on "slop" () and what happens? We talk about bloody Jaffa cakes, cheese and raw onions, beer (well, that's alright), and...........Terrys Chocolate Orange. Erm, might have one to give American Pharoah a run for its money in 2-weeks time. Am totally out-of-form, but have a wee fancy for this one in the Belmont.
In Swanny we have faith. If you can get the boom colt beaten, your name will live forever more on the honour board.
I doubt if I can, Cyc, but, you never know, it might materialise. Will keep working on it, and, hopefully, will stay with my hunch! Interestingly, is lightly-raced, and seems to go on any ground, but connections decided not to run him at Pimlico the other day.
