Stable has been very patient with Gitano. Original plan was the Belmont but they had to back off. An unbelievable protocol the last 10 days to get him here in peak condition. Congrats are in order to a couple of friends that own minor shares with Team Valor in the horse.
Hooper
Thanks for the info Hooper; I recall the talk pre-Belmont about the horse now.
I wouldn't read too much into the Goodwood result. Mine That Bird had been off 10 weeks. No real excuses for Colonel John, Tiago had been off since what, February? I think you'll see a better performance from the American contingent in 4 weeks. I also think many people will jump on the Euros in the Classic as a result of last year's finish and yesterday's result leading to many being overbet and better than we should get odds on the US horses.
The Euros will dominate for the simple fact that this is synthetics which runs like turf. Lets face it most of the time when Euros send their best(not counting the ones that were on the downside of their careers like Montjeu) they win. Look at Proviso she ran close to Goldikova and she one the Spinster pretty easy, Mushka was never going to run past her. Unless Summer Bird take to the synthetics or Gio Ponti (the best american turf horse) wins, the Euros should be extra tough.
Early retirements. I get so sick of it. "It's not fair to the horse" is what Oxx said. What's not fair to the horse? I mean correct me if I am wrong, but aren't horse bred to RUN? The horse came out of the Arc in great shape, gained all of his weight back according to all reports, so what is the problem? IF Sea The Stars was a gelding would he be running? OF COURSE he would. I get sick and tired of these trainers and owners acting like they are doing these earlier retirement to benefit the horse. Why don't they be honest and just come out and say the truth, "he is worth to much money to chance a injury so we are going to retire him" The only people it is unfair to is the Horse racing fans, the gamblers who keep the sport going.
As a Euro I much prefer it when we are the underdogs like last year and the Ryder Cups when when we have won. When we are favourites like Valhalla we underperform. I will be betting the American horses in my Euro account and getting fantastic prices. Also I like the Birds in the Classic but then again I have always had an eye for the birds.
We need more Round Tables .... great on the track for a few years, then great in the shed.
66-43-8-5
I doubt many good geldings get in the gate 66 times in their life in this day and age????
We're breeding more horses I guess with all these retirements of great/good one so you Cali fans can have 6 horse fields????? Wooohooo LOL
