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"I might be worried by what the rest of the field in a race like the Phoenix had done since if it wasn’t for the fact that George was back in his box having a cup of tea by the time they trailed in."
Lol – right about that.
My general point was that it is easy to be champion of your generation if your generation is not very good.  It is also easy to win in spectacular style if you are running past trees. ÂÂÂ
Bulwark’s point was that George had achieved more amazing things than any other horse. Comparing generations is tough, but a two length defeat of Golden Arrow would generally be accepted as not as impressive as a two and a half length defeat of Oratorio.
My point was not that george had acheived more than any horse ever. My point was that he has shown enough to establish himself as a genuine champion who is a class above all who can oppose him.
Also on the subject of george beating golden arrow, its not the winning margin (as with a most of georges wins) its the way that he does it. If you actually saw that race, it was an absolute demolition job, from 5 lengths back to 3 lengths clear, quicker than you could say "holy sh#t".
AOB now quoted on racing post as leaning towards Classic with GW.<br>Very interesting.
Pretty clear now thats where he will go. Scorpion for the Turf, and the two milers (Aussie Rules and Ad Valorem) for the mile.
Anyone who has taken the 6/4 for the BC Mile is going to feel sick, as they should do, saying that i might consider getting a bet on for the classic, hes not being sent there for nothing…
Really disappointed to see them aim George at this, his near certain failure will put a real downer on a stunning career.
Delighted to see that Scorpion is heading to the Turf. Front running sort, loves fast ground, fresh horse….looks ideal if he is at his peak.
I look at it like this aiden, if he fails, theres a good chance he’ll stay in training, what he has done this year has been brilliant, but even magnier must realise that hes got much more to offer, i think hes actually got a great chance, the way he went in the QE suggests he may well get the trip if they go a tad slowly and he switches off, it’ll be a site to see if he can. I’m glad they are having a stab at it rather than go for an easy (well odds on) race in the Mile.
It doesnt even matter about the trip, the amount of kick back the horse is going to have to face will turn him off. I wouldnt back him at any price for the classic. Would absolutely love to see him win, he is one of the best horses on the planet but the classic looks the worst possible target for him.
I must admit,  a week ago I didn’t think there was really that much of a chance of George going for the Classic.  As you first pointed out last week Roland, you can see why Coolmore is tempted to go for the Classic rather than the mile. Like Aidan I would be reluctant to part with my money betting on George winning (kickback, traffic, 10f trip etc.) but neither would I want to bet against him.  For sure, memories of Hawk Wing and Galileo don’t help to ressaure me.  On the other hand it could be a hell of a race and, lets face it, if George were to win with Barnardini coming second – that  would catapult George to real superstar status, probabably convincing even the most seroius doubters. If he goes for the Classic I can only interpret this as a vote of confidence in George from AOB et al, and not a lack of confidence in him for the mile as Sal has suggested.
APO realises the mountain GW faces in the mile;tight track,short run to the first turn etc.The Classic plausibly allows him to ditch Kinane,possibly run another whom GW can sit on the quarters of in the clean air.But left handed for the first time in the Breeders for someone who leaves no stone unturned?That boulder presents a greater problem to face than any amount of kickback.<br>
Sadly it is AOB who is going to make a complete fool of himself if GW runs in the Classic. It will be as embarrassing as DT’s run at Belmont, with a RPR of 70. The USA horses will leave GW for dead at the start and on dirt there is not the traction for "acceleration" which is GW’s strength, mid race. If he tries catch up on the dirt he will blow up long before the final quarter.
APO realises the mountain GW faces in the mile;tight track,short run to the first turn etc
Think that is significant… To me hes never looked like a horse that would love chester (Didnt appear to like Goodwood)
huge amount of negativity on here in reference to GW’s potential Classic bid, but there’s at least 1 yank across the pond who seems excited at the prospect.
"Talk overseas is that Coolmore owned GW may try the Classic instead of the Mile where he is currently the fave. Interesting story,bred and sold for $2.1 million by the owners of Barbaro,he is a half to the good stakes winner Grandera who won on dirt in Dubai. Mare and 2 other siblings won at 10F or more. Kinane says "I’ve ridden good ones,but none better". Would be coming off a career top number in his last and many will toss because of no dirt experience. Sire Danehill this year has had 51 dirt runners from a total of 196,15 dirt winners from a total of 89 and 1 stakes winner from a total of 19. Adds more excitement(and potential sire value) going to the Classic than the Mile in my opinion."
from Badator’s american racing forum<br>
I wouldnt say that Berardini is the best Dirt horse in a long time, I think he is very much beatable, especially by a horse who has more speed than anything in the race.
I can see that there are a lot of doubts about GW but this is his big target and when has George ever failed on the big occasion? In big target races he has a 100% strike rate, i think hes got a good chance of getting the trip, and the direction of the track/ground etc have all been considered by those who know him best and dont want him reinjured.
People talk about george washington like he is a run of the mill horse with plenty of questions, I honestly think that its 50/50 that he will silence everyone again, but his odds are 7/1, not even money, meaning he is value.
Just have a bit of faith in the Gorgeous one. He owes us nothing. I think that we are lucky that in GW and Teofilo we have two quite exceptional horses in training at present, until they fail to do something I am not going to speculate about failure.
On a different note are drugs allowed this year?<br>I take it that O’Brien will have his horses on lasix (salix) and bute if that is the case to get the level playing field.
Lingfield
As far as I know, salix is now permitted everywhere in the States, as the New York authority – the one standout for many years – caved in quite a while ago.
What they will also have at the Breeders’ Cup, though, is the pre-race quarantine barn to guard against milk-shaking etc.
<br>This link gives the current state of play in Kentucky:
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