5/8/2011

Congrats to Animal Kingdom, Trainer G. Motion, Jockey – J. R. Velasquez and owner Barry Irwin & Team Valor…

My take starts in the first strides with Schackleford out-fotting Comma To The Top to the first turn.  I thought that was very likely and it’s one of the handicapping ideas that influenced me to consider betting on Schackleford.  For me it was fine, I got a good run from Schackleford and turn for home with the lead at 23/1 odds.  He ran like a fit horse, he just isn’t good enough to get 1 1/4 miles at this time of his career.  It doesn’t look to me, like he wanst more than 1 1/8th.  some are made to go 1 1/4 miles most are not.  Animcal Kingdom cetainly is and to add a thought, maybe this is really going to be a great horse, one to remember 20 years from now.   Oh yeah, one more comment that most good handicappers already know who follow racing on the East coast, trainer – G. Motion is at the top of  class trainers.  everyone knows how I feel about him, dating back to the last Breeders’ Cup…

The second comment I feel needs to be made is that the #1 post hurt Archarcharch in more ways than just taking his racing chances away.  He broke from the gate and in the very first stride, he was completely twisted by the ground severe slop to the left.  All his weight lunged forward to find the surface he was reaching to, was uneven and would not support him.  But more important than the bad racing luck and it’s effect on his chances to win the Derby, he came up lame after trying to race.  No chance after that imbalanced start and we can only hope that he comes back from this injury…  The people at Churchill Downs need to wake up….

Well – I am guessing we are all a bit emotionally spent at this time…Again if you had Animal Kingdom,  good play!