I'm thinking that Ouija Board is the most logical single in our sequence, but I have to admit that I don't think she has much margin for error. If she stubs her toe in any way, Wait A While will be right there to capitalize.
I love Dreaming Of Anna in the filly event, but I'm not happy at all with her draw. The rail forces her to commit sooner than I would like her to have to. I still think the race goes through her and Cash Included. The bomber in here, as I see it, and just in case the race falls apart, is Quick Little Miss. She was striding out nicely in the stretch in the Oak Leaf behind the two top-rated fillies in the country, one of which isn't even here. She's worth at least considering on the spread at a huge price. I also would like to use Octave as well. Her connections alone make her worth the risk at a price that will be playable.
On my personal tickets intended for my personal gain, I will be singling the Blingster in the Sprint, but I don't think that's the right thing to do for a charity wager. Henny must be used, just because if he wins at 3-5, and this race is the only one we miss, it would be unforgivable.
The Juvenile is one of the most wide-open renewals we've seen in a while. My focus will be on Principle Secret and Great Hunter, and will also take a look at Stormello and Street Sense. I'm not a Circular Quay gal, and while Scat Daddy is admittedly dangerous, the Champagne hasn't, to my recollection, been a very productive prep for the BCJ, and I'm just not a huge fan of the horse. I like the four I mentioned, but with proper persuasion, could be enticed into replacing either Stormello or Street Sense with C P West.
So here's my picture of things:
Dreaming Of Anna, Cash Included, Quick Little Miss, & Octave
Principle Secret, Great Hunter, Stormello, & Street Sense (or maybe C P West)
Ouija Board
Too Much Bling & Henny Hughes
Waiting for thoughts..........Thanks guys, and thanks to Hooper for another generous move. You're the best, Hoop!
Fillies: Glad to hear you like Little Miss Quick. She is my bomb of the day. Last race she was wide & wide, and while beaten 7Ls she didn't lose ground in the stretch and was striding out nicely. She's worked beautifully since, I respect Stute, and think that she will benefit from moving "East". Her Majesty, 1st time Lasix, blinkers on, ran a really good race last out breaking from the 13 post and has also worked well. Octave & Cotton Blossom round out my top four.
Colts: Scat Daddy, Circular Quay and Stormello are my top three in that order.
Turf: Ouija Board & Wait A While (maybe Honey Ryder), Ouija is a logical single but should she get hung up in traffic just a bit, she may not catch Wait A While who gets the jump on the field at the top of the stretch.
Sprint: Henny and Pomeroy are my top choices in here. The former I feel comes into this race battle tested yet not battle worn. He's been dominating in every sense and his last against elders just solidified that in my view. Pomeroy has been up against some tough horses, can sit or go with the pace, has been drilling bullets out of the gate and comes into this race primed for a big effort. The Blingster, still not convinced he's all that, combined with he's a 3yo facing elders 1st, been away, and while he's been working a storm, there's work fit and race fit. Would much rather have seen a prep in mid to late August than coming in "fresh".
My ticket would look like:
Quick Little Miss, Her Majesty,Octave, Cotton Blossom
Circular Quay, Scat Daddy,
Ouija Board, Wait A While,
Heeny Hughes, Pomeroy
Adding my thanks to Hooper and hope we come up with a winner !
I'm going to be severely limited on how much I can post throughout the day today, guys. I'll try to keep in touch the best I can.
As much as I love Dreaming Of Anna, I am, as I said, not happy with her draw at all. I do think she's the best filly in here, but at an unattractive price and the rail, I'm willing to let her go.
I think we need to stick with a 1x2x4x4 structure. Ouija Board is the most logical place to single. While I don't necessarily think she's a mortal lock, I see her as less vulnerable than Henny. Which brings me to the Sprint.
I'm afraid, you guys, that I can't let us construct a ticket without using Too Much Bling. I feel stronger this year about him than I do any other horse on the card, especially after he drew exactly the post I was praying for. I don't care if we use others as well, but I have to have him there.
I'm not feeling all that strong on anyone in the Juvenile, so you guys can just come up with your own consensus of 4 and that will be fine with me.
Assuming the single in the F&M Turf, and maybe just using Henny and Bling in the Sprint, I hope we can keep Quick Little Miss as the bomber. Then, if you can accept my Bling, I will gladly defer to your combined expertise to fill out the ticket with the other Juvies.
Pas, you and TF like Ouija as a single and she is the logical one to single in this sequence. I'd think most all will have her on top too. WAW is my hedge against but I don't have any problems going with Ouija alone here.
It seems we're all in agreement that we can't leave Henny off in the Sprint. You're the captain and if you like TMB then by all means lets go for it.
What do you and TF think about these four for the Fillies & Colts?
Dreaming Of Anna (Pas/TF)
Cash Included (Pas/TF)
Her Majesty (TF/Jerry)
Quick Little Miss (Pas/Jerry)
Circular Quay (TF/Jerry)
Scat Daddy (TF/Jerry)
Great Hunter (Pas/TF/Jerry my 4th)
Stormello (PAS/TF/Jerry)
Pending Turffan's approval, this will be our ticket:
Dreaming Of Anna
Cash Included
Her Majesty
Quick Little Miss
Circular Quay
Scat Daddy
Great Hunter
Stormello
Ouija Board
Henny Hughes
Too Much Bling
I appreciate you letting me keep my horse, guys. Certainly I could be wrong, but I really think he's going to win the darn thing. I'm feeling very Squirtle Squirt-ish about him, and that was the surest winner on the card for me way back 5 years ago. I just hope I don't end up looking like an idiot (and costing the Exceller Fund to boot)!
Chime in Turffan with a final "It's A Go!" and it will be ready to be picked up by our generous donor Hooper.
Our Precisionist Invitational Pick 4 has been finalized and approved as above.
Thanks from all of us to you, wonderful Friend!
P.S. Hoop, could you please e-mail me at work, margifoley@californiadrop.com, with your cell number. I'd appreciate it. We've talked before, but I've long since lost the phone I had that had your number on it.
although my ticket will look more like..
Dreaming of Anna/Her Majesty/Appealing Zophie
Great Hunter/Circular Quay
Germance/Honey Rider
Thor's Echo/Frendly Island/Henny Hughes/Siren Lure
Good luck all
Thanks Hoop
