8/28/2011

Congrats to Pletcher and Repole on the Travers win by the “game” Stay Thirsty.   Also props to both Caleb’s Posse and Uncle Mo for a stirring race in the King’s Bishop.  The inside part of the track was a big advantage at Saratoga on Saturday.   The best horses can’t always get the preferred position, and when the can’t, they are often beaten by inferior stock.   That certainly was the case in the King’s Bishop as they tripped the teletimer in 1:21.59  going 7 furlongs.  In the Travers — Stay Thirsty ran very well — turning the teletimer for the 1 1/4 mile Travers in 2:03.03.   Stay Thirsty, like Uncle Mo, raced off the very fast rail the entire trip and did attend the pace the entire way, I would classify both races under the heading of  “TOUGH TRIPS”.   Coming home, Stay Thirsty, he had every right to be tired,  yet he did visibly extend himself when asked in the final 110 yards (1/16t of a mile).  While his speed rating will not register nearly as high as Uncle Mo and Caleb’s Posse, he will do well enough to become a true Grade -II, at least.   Something none of the other contenders are, who were all fortunate to compete in the absence of Uncle Mo, To Honor and Serve, ArchArchArch, Boys At Toscanova and many others that fell by the wayside…Just a thought, Shackleford really looks like he would be best at 1 MILE and COIL might really want Turf — HELLO.

Saratoga is cancelled for Sunday.