We need a volunteer to captain this team and delegate some responsibilities. I am completely out of the loop and am even considering skipping BC altogether this year. Sacrilegous and sad, perhaps, but highly possible. Still, I'll get the pp.s and take a peek at them. Someone else will need to coordinate and construct a ticket.
GAM, stop with the nonsense, guy! You will get involved and indeed play well this BC weekend. I'll step up to take the lead if Pas and Propro have no objection. While in no particular order a scheme of 4 X 4 X 2 X 2 would satisfy the generous stipend Hooper has allotted. I suggest we think along these lines as we pick apart this series of races. Identifying the 2 legs where we only go 2 deep is probably one of our first challenges. Anyone got a "lock" exacta box in any of these? My opinions are already out there so let's hear from the 3 of you as to your strong feelings in any of these 4 legs. Thanks again, Hooper.
Good point, Hooper! Problem is the only "singles" I feel good about are in my wallet. LOL! Maybe one of the others can sell that angle though. If so, and in the spirit of this election season I'll play Ross Perot in saying "I'm all ears"!
"Is Midnight Lute fit"? He's the best horse in here. If he's ready to go, he's going to be so tough to beat. If it's not Midnight Lute, there's so much gas in this race that it just has to be shaping up for someone coming off the pace. In Summation is going to have clear sailing today and should be rolling late at a great price. Street Boss is an obvious contender at a short price. I'm just not sold on Street Boss in a big situation against the best that's out there. I think Midnight Lute is going to be ready to roll and is a must on our ticket.
Propro, his works say he's fit but I don't like the single 2008 race prep campaign and that being a stinker to boot. You'll note that some races I go 3 deep in my analysis and in some I'll list a "saver" or 2. I had Midnite Lute penciled in as my saver in the Sprint before deciding several others figured as high so I settled on a top 3 play only. Having said that, I have no problem using him as long as we spread in this leg. Most years that would be a no brainer but with only 9 entered this year, is this a leg you want to go 4 deep? PAS and/or GAM, your thoughts on this one?
GAM, do you have any thoughts on one or more of these races? Propro, let's hear your feelings on the other 3 legs too. I'll check back in from work later today and tonight we'll bring the collaboration together and commit to a play. In this scheme of races does anyone see a "single" that they'd hang their own $64.00 personal play on?
Work and golf today, so I can't post anything more until tonight. Here's a question though...do we think the Euros are going to like the rock hard turf course?
I took a quick peek last night and will try to some more during the day. Will do my best to collaborate.
LL, I'm pretty serious about skipping, although looking at the p4 got a few juices flowing and I might throw in a "what if Curlin loses" p4 play. If the weather isn't crappy in The Burgh tomorrow, I may head down to Heinz Field and attend the Pitt-Rutgers game instead.
Juv Turf - Grand Adventure has enough speed to get position in here and might have the best closing kick. Westphalia is a contender who might wind up the favorite. The horse I keep looking at is Paddy The Pro. 2 wins on the poly after 1 awkward start on the turf. They're not shipping for the exercise.
Turf - I think these Euros really lay over the North American contingent. The owners of Soldier Of Fortune brought their rabbit Red Rock Canyon over to insure a fast pace and that should not only help Soldier Of Fortune, but also the talented Eagle Mountain and Conduit. I think the winner comes from these 3.
Classic - If it's not Curlin, I think Raven's Pass has a good enough kick to get it done.
Juvey Turf looks wide open and a logical "spread" race. Plausible inclusions are Westphalia, Donativum, Skipadate, Bittel Road and Grand Adventure.
Sprint, I like Fabulous Strike and the 3yo up and comer Fatal Bullet.
Turf, I like the Euros, Winchester and Conduit.
Classic, I'd like to try to beat Curlin. Can use Curlin, but OK with tossing as well. I'd spread with Casino Drive, Duke of Marmalade and Raven's Pass.
This likely to be my last contribution so, LL, you are granted discretion in putting together a ticket.
As always, thanks go out to Hoop for the generosity and for having faith to include me on his team.
This message has been edited by GAM-II on Oct 24, 2008 10:42 PM
Appreciate the contributions, team. We have a consensus in a couple of these races. I'll firm it up by 9:00 A.M. per hooper's request consistent with his travel plans. Good luck to all tomorrow.
The moment of truth is upon us. Structuring 1 ticket to make it easier on our generous benefactor demands a 2 X 2 X 4 X 4 play in my mind. The question is where to spread? No more indepth analysis is necessary as it's all out there already. Here's hoping we don't "zig" when we should have "zagged"!
Juvy Turf - 4 Westphalia and 12 Grand Adventure (It was painful leaving Skipadate out of this)
Sprint - # 9 Fatal Bullet, # 6 Black Seventeen, # 7 In Summation, # 4 Midnight Lute
Turf - 3 Grand Couturier and 4 Soldier Of Fortune (3 or 4 others very dangerous in here)
Classic - # 12 Champs Elysees, # 1 Go Between, # 9 Curlin, # 4 Duke Of Marmalade
By the numbers: 4,12 / 4,6,7,9 / 3,4 / 1,4,9,12 = $64.00!
Thanks again hooper, and don't forget to plug in the $30.00 BC play you won in the Saratoga contest! Good luck to you at Foxwoods today and the best of luck to all of us here at "the finest horse chat site on the web"!
