I apologize for my "blogging absence" the last few days. I have been having major internet problems for the last few days that haven't allowed me to get on the web and do my usual research and postings.
Here is the latest Kentucky Oaks Runner post from Horse Racing Nation, check out the new Novel Nine and share your thoughts:
The Davona Dale Stakes was supposed to be a celebration of Dancinginherdreams but as it turned out Todd Pletcher brought in one of his fillies to crash the party.
In the Forward Gal Stakes (gr.2) R Heat Lightning finished a dull fourth behind Pomeroy’s Pistol and Dancinginherdreams as one of the favorites. In the Davona Dale Stakes she turned things around in a big way.
Breaking cleanly from the gate R Heat Lightning with John Velasquez up rated just off the pacesetter and to the inside of Dancinginherdreams down the backstretch in the 1 mile test. On the front end Forward Gal winner Pomeroy’s Pistol pressed Hot Summer from second through fractions of :23.92 and :46.53. [Read the rest here on Horse Racing Nation]
See what a clean break can do?
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see a "stumbled break" or "veered in" or similar comment,
I line out if it's a poor performance and appraise the horse based on previous efforts.
R Heat Lightning certainly figured as the beaten favorite.
Interesting, I tend to think it was more a matter of fitness than the stumble in the Forward Gal but I'm going to have to start watching that more carefully. :)
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it is that a simple twisted joint can cause the horse to run the race in pain the rest of the way. More pain = lesser the effort on the part of the horse.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really don't like to see is two horses crash into each other flying out of the gate at 40 mph on the head on replay. Even steadying or checking by the jockey can pull a muscle somewhere during the race.
It's tough to appraise the performace if you're not in the barn. And even if you are, there's a chance the horse may not show signs of his/her strain.
Good day.