Sunday, July 29, 2007

beyer silliness

As difficult as it may be to fathom, Ginger Punch, the winner of the Go For Wand on Saturday at Saratoga, ran a 95 beyer speed figure, not the 103 that many would have you believe. And, yes, Lawyer Ron ran a legit 116 by sitting a perfect outside trip off of a moderate pace and taking a step forward on the day. Wanderin Boy ran back to his top (111), which we know he can do when he's on his game (Note the number of Zito's horses are firing at the Spa - CP West rang big today and he won with a firster on Saturday.). Diamond Stripes moved forward off of his Churchill Down races to run a 108.

Ginger Punch just isn't as good going two turns and a route of ground. It's no big deal, just the reality of things. Sure, she can fire a 105 beyer going a one-turn mile or 7/8ths, but she's just going to s-l-o-w down with the added distance. Heaven forbid they should have a Grade One winner at the Spa with a 95 speed figure. Anyone that follows the fillies and mares out west is all too familiar with graded stakes winners running in the low to mid 90s. On Saturday, Ginger Punch did just that and picked up style points by finishing in front of a field where not a single other runner fired. For those that stick with the 103, please feel free. I'll be happy to take a stand against it at the windows down the road.

Oh, and this Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup idea has to be one of the more ridiculous ones we've had from the higher-ups. Like Lawyer Ron/Ginger Punch/Diabolical/My Typhoon aren't pointing for the Breeders' Cup? I'm sure the connections are sleeping so much easier tonight. How about ABC/NTRA focusing on the 12 horses in Whitney and one of the best betting races in some time? The $500,000 pick 4 (c'mon, make it a cool $1m)? These puff pieces and canned 'let's get excited' stories foisted upon audiences are just so lame. It's the gambling aspect that drives the bus, nothing else.

Play the pick 4 at Ellis Park. Gear up for the reduced takeout at Laurel this August. Maybe that will help get the message home.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

"It's the gambling aspect that drives the bus, nothing else" -- How dare you denigrate the Sport of Kings! You want gambling, you take a flyer down to AC and play the slots. Don't be so jaded, I know a part of you - way down deep - is thrilled merely by the pageantry of the Breeders Cup. For one day at least, Monmouth Park will have high-quality racing; that's reason enough to be excited.

Sean said...

but now i can get 4% takeout at ellis park on the pick 4 and 11% next month at Laurel. why would i play at ac given the house's edge? c'mon, man, you should know better. i'll reserve comment on monmouth park given the public nature of the forum (and my vast readership). you know how that works...thanks for checking in.