...is open for business.


TW

I know it's early but doesn't it all start with Wait A While???? If she goes, I think Forever Together can be a big threat. I don't see why the extra distance should be a factor off her Diana win. Just initial thoughts....

Halfway to Heaven has bags of class . Never off the board in eight starts , incuding a third behind Zarkava and Goldikova and has won on firm ground. My main concern is whether some of O'Brien's horses may be on the downslope after a multi Group One winning season

'Yup'...the 'BOUNCE' is ALWAYS a factor 'if' the 'nags' most recent race was 'it's' best in the 3 year old and up races...lol..

Well, just 4 days out and nothing to change my mind thus far. Still like Wait A While and Forever Together. Would throw Vacare in the tri, but reserve final judgement until the draw. Interesting that Gomez is named on Wait A While after Johnny V has been up in the last two? Undecided about Halfway to Heaven as I question her ability to get the distance, and what to do with Folk Opera; does she bounce off that one big run last out???

Thoughts?

European bred runners have won the last seven runnings of this race and I believe that the streak will continue here. In fact the last time this race was run at Santa Anita in 2003 they went 1-2-3. Not convinced that we will have a repeat of the sweep this time around but if Halfway to Heaven is anywhere near her best she has the class to win. I was very impressed by Dynaforce's winning effort at Belmont last time out and having run only 4 times this year she comes into this race fresh> She also has the added benefit of Alan Garciaon board and he has been on a great big race run recently. Wait a While has the perfect record here but Dynaforce finished in front of her in the Diana and I expect that form to be confirmed again.

But is Dynaforce best with some cut in the ground? That's something she certainly will not get in this one. I just figure the extremely hard/firm turf might be the undoing of some. The heat has me concerned about Forever Together as well since she suffers from anhydrosis (doesn't sweat). Still, I think she's ready to fire and can't overlook Wait A While. Maybe just being stubborn but finding nothing to change my mind.

Are we the only group doing something??? Where is everyone else?

Looking at the potential race shape, there's quite a bit of early lick in here-

Speed: Dynaforce, Folk Opera
Stalk: Vacare, Wait A While, Halfway To Heaven
Off the pace: Sealy Hill, Visit, Mauralakana, Pure Clan
Deep Closer: Forever Together

I have them ranked as follows, based on a combination of class, distance, and speed-

1)Wait A While
2)Halfway To Heaven
3)Dynaforce
4)Mauralakana
5)Forever Together
6)Folk Opera
7)Vacare

I don't care for Sealy Hill, Visit or Pure Clan and don't expect them to hit the board.

I'd like to find a key horse who we can put 1st and 2nd in triples, something like:

A/BCD/BCDEF & BCD/A/BCDEF

Given that requirement, how would you fill in the blanks? What alternative would you propose? Thanks.


TW

Tom

That works for me . Comfortable with Wait A While as the key with the rest in the order listed.

Cheers

CS

I think I've been quite obvious that Wait A While should be the key for me. In looking at the others, still love Forever Together and am willing to go with the Euro, Halfway To Heaven. In looking bit closer, if we want a horse who will be a big price, we need to look at Visit. The Juddmonte filly will be staying with Frankel after this race as it appears she will be better suited to the American style of racing up closer to the pace. She should also appreciate the firmer course in my humble opinion. Dynaforce, well she's been consistent but is she better with some give in the ground as her only poor race was on a firm Spa course. Believer that Mauralakana is tailing off, won't appreciate the warmer weather, nor the firmer going. She didn't run too well here last year in the Yellow Ribbon. Pure Clan, well, let's see what Holthus can do with all the time she's had. A bit light Beyer wise too. Folk Opera, hmm? Easy going on the lead last out and don't expect that here.

So...

Wait A While/Forever Together,Halfway To Heaven, Visit/same 3 with Mauralakana and perhaps Dynaforce would be my vote. I know Visit is a stretch so willing to concede Dynaforce in that 2nd tier as there's support there.

I had hoped for Bob(bertconvy) to chime in with his thoughts, but alas we're out of time as I'm going racing in about three hours. So, after distilling our thoughts, I've come up with this wager:

$1tri-

Wait A While
Halfway To Heaven/Forever Together/Mauralakana
Halfway To Heaven/Forever Together/Mauralakana/Dynaforce/Visit

$1tri-

Halfway To Heaven/Forever Together/Mauralakana
Wait A While
Halfway To Heaven/Forever Together/Mauralakana/Dynaforce/Visit

I hope this represents our best opinions, and I want to thank you guys for helping to put it together. Now, let's go win some big money for the TRF.


TW