Big article in todays New York Post about Shug. Has one of the best records in the Breeders Cup (9 wins and 9 seconds from 49 starters). Says he would never run a horse unless he thought they had a good shot to win. I was on a few of his horses anyway; this just cements it for me, as I've always loved him. Consequence is looking more and more like my best bet. Had trouble on a yielding turf last time at 6/5. This regally bred daughter by grass loving El Prado out of champion Educated Risk worked lights out the other day over the poly and is ready to run great. Catches a weak field. Morning line of 8/1 is a joke, but 7/2 or 4/1 would still be great value in my opinion.
Carriage Trail also looks live. Don't know if she can beat the super filly Zenyatta, but we'll see.
Steve
I have always been a big fan of Shug's fillies and will definitely play all of his ladies on Friday, although I really like Laragh in th JVF Turf as the lone speed.
Mr.McGaughey has always been a nice guy(going back to his Ky.roots) and knows racehorses. I have really seen him as an under-achiever in his later years since he took over the Phipps group and had his alcohol problems.
To see him ship a group out west(and on poly) is somewhat unusual and was an attention-grabber for me. If they made the trip, I have to use them in gimmicks, and expect at least one entrant to win or do extremely well. As mentioned, he doesn't ship west just to have a starter in a race.
I think he's most high on Dancing Forever from comments I've read. I am willing to forgive the last ones on soft turf and give him a big shot at a big price.
I'll stay away from Shug's personal issues. Far be it for me to be judging folks when they've been ultra succesful on the professional side for many a year like McGaughey has. I bet his horses for one simple reason. He runs them when they are ready and where they have achance. Is he on the conservative side a little too much from time to time, indeed. But he's a horseman first and a trainer after and I can live with that. I will use all of his horses this weekend and will play Dancing Forever as my key horse in the Turf. NEXT.