Nass, your right, I think most of the Europeans though would like to see some inclimate weather leading up to the race days, Some rain before or during the BC will make some very interesting outcomes
KingShergar: Although I did live over there for nearly 10-years long ago, I don't know nearly as much about North American racing as Islanderpei (and never did) but I can tell you that just about all racetracks in this region can be classed as oval, big or small. As we all know Chester is far from oval, on the turn most of the way with just the finishing stretch of some 230 yards the only straight part: http://www.racingpost.com/horses/co...sTabs=upcoming_races&bottomCrsTabs=course_map Here's a Raceform course description too: "A perfectly flat, circular course, 1m73y in circumference, with a sharp bend to a straight run-in of 230 yards. Long-distance events are an extreme test of stamina, but for middle-distance races and sprints the course greatly favours a sharp-actioned horse. Runners with previous winning form on this track are worth noting." Nothing new there for any of us, but I would doubt very much if North America has too many tracks that even faintly resemble Chester. In the most part, tracks over there are flat and oval. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Guess for really tight tracks you'd have to go a long way to beat The Garrison Savannah right-handed one in Barbados: "The track is a 6 furlongs oval grass strip and races are run at distances of 5 furlongs (1000 meters), 5½ furlongs (1100 meters), 7.8 furlongs (1570 meters), 9 furlongs (1800 meters), 10 furlongs (2000 meters) and 11 Furlongs (2200 meters), with the horses running in a clockwise (right handed) direction." Some pretty well-known people have trained over there including Sir Michael Stoute, W.C. (Bill) Marshall, and Scobie Breasley. The Barbados Gold Cup is a prestigious event in that part of the world. Scobie finally managed to win it on one of his last attempts there as a trainer, I believe.
So You Think has only received an entry in the Classic, alongside stablemate Await The Dawn who is also engaged in the Turf. It looks like they are going for the big one, and fair play to them. You can't say they have protected him this season. He's been there in all the big races and it will be a massive coup if he can land the odds across the pond. They'll have a stallion with huge appeal to the Australasian, European and American market.
Yeh they certainly haven't wrapped him in cotton wool.And i for one hope he goes over and smashes them in the Classic. But in reality i just cant see him placing never mind winning.But that said all of the yank horses look very vulnerable,especially Uncle mo who has been a sick horse for most of the year and plus i dont think would stay 10f in a horsebox .On that alone it shows how weak they all are this year.So you can never say never i guess.
I think if ever a European runner is to take the Classic on the Dirt then this must be the year. The home team look vulnerable and So You Think looks tough, adaptable and has proven himself a very good horse. He has been consistently running to a higher level than anything he will face has achieved, the question mark is whether he can transfer his turf form to the dirt, and, as has been shown in the past, it is always a big ask. However he is as consistent as they come and i wouldn't discount a bold show. I really hope he does it and, having lost money on him in the Arc and the Champion Stakes, i'll let him run without the burden of my money on him this time. That is unless i change my mind! If i leave him along he's sure to hoes up! I think its great that there is some European interest in the feature. His presence certainly adds a lot to the line-up.
I agree, I think if there is any year then this stands out. I think So You Think goes there with a great chance. He's not like some of the previous European challengers. He's a proper High Chapparal- a tough, gutsy, classy bugger who will stay all day. He has the tactical speed which is crucial in these races, is versatile, and goes there with top class European form. I have a feeling he will take to the dirt fine, I really do. I'll assess his price before deciding whether he is worth any bet.
So You Think is a grinder who should be well suited to the attritional nature of US dirt racing. If he takes to the surface Churchill Downs could be made for him, as the whole field will go hell for leather from gate to post. In Kentucky the emphasis will be on sustaining a punishing pace, without the need to quicken, which imo is where he's fallen short at the top level in europe. Cracking chance if he's not overcooked and if he takes to dirt, which he is bred to do.
On the most recently published International Classification, So You Think is rated 126. The highest rated American dirt performer is Tizway on 123. Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is rated 121. Therefore, if So You Think adapts to racing on dirt and runs to his rating, he should be good enough to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Obviously adapting to racing on dirt is a big “if”, the race may not be run to suit and also he had a hard race in the Champion Stakes.
Especially as Tizway is out. It seems he can run 5lbs below form and still win . . . Is this the year?! I hope so.
