new member says hi

[Maxilon 5]

Hi byanose,

Hope you’re well over there. Great day ahead. A long, long winter ahead over here after tomorrow night.:(

I’m quite downbeat about the European challenge this year with the exception on Ouija Board who looks like an international banker.

I’m content to watch the majestic Ouija win the race, though at 2/1.  The Wait a While camp are bullish, I’m told, but I can’t see it happening. She’s something else.

Others comment on the Ballydoyle challenge extensively on the forum, so I’ll let them enlighten you, but there has been  money for George Washington. His last race can be seen on the NTRA website, where he beat Araafa pretty easily.

I’ve had a decent bet on Gorella to pick up Araafa and Aragorn late in the Mile. I have a hunch the race will be run to suit her as a battle hardened closer, and you can get plenty of sixes and sevens here. Everything in her favour as far as I can see, particularly her ability to quicken. Reminds me a little of Six Perfections. (Good race for fillies too).

Incidentally, I can’t have the Godolphin runners on my mind; don’t think they have the required class. Sheikh Mo will be in Louisville to see Bernadini, I think.

Satulagi will probably not like firm ground and is Listed class over here, (Stakes). A Hail Mary pass for this one, though the stable are to be admired for their bottle and you’ll get a big Sheikh Albadou type return should she turn out to be a star.

Hurricane Run would carry these on last years form, but whether he’s putting it all in at the moment is a moot point. Plenty short enough.

The Brian Meehan challenge may have been underestimated; Red Rocks and David Junior look to have solid Place and Show chances in their races. Both have the form to run big races and Meehan is a solid trainer. Whether they have the class to win is another matter, but again, that is reflected in their likely prices.

The Classic is the race I want to see. Though I am a fan of the Dubaians, I would love to see the streetfighter, Lava Man, knock the blueblooded Bernardini down a peg or two. Love an aggressive, never-say-die horse.

Invasor, Brother Derek, Lawyer Ron and TVG’s own Giacomo, (who I’m told is back in form) make this an amazing race.  And then there is of course, GW.

Against our own Zorro’s opinion, I’d chop my own foot off with a hacksaw to be there tomorrow.:biggrin:

PS: I’ve also backed Pine Island because I saw the win at Saratoga; awesome. Only small though.

Good luck tomorrow.

Max

[Maxilon 5]

Hi once again,

Just in case you haven’t seen it, this is the Racing Post’s US correspondents’ verdict on the Classic. Interesting reading.;)

"I love the fact that INVASOR (nap) has been drawn out wide as this is a huge advantage according to the stats.

His big rival Bernardini is drawn on the rail where traffic tends to get pretty intense in big fields like this. I refuse to believe Invasor can get beat and make him my best bet of the meeting.

I was surprised to read this!:cool:

[byanose]

Maxilon, a belated thanks for the reply!

Because I have been such a fan of OB since 2004, her win was the moment of the day for me. Along with a friend I managed to sneak in to the pricey-seat section just above the finish line to watch that race. I have to tell you that the entire crowd, not just the English or Europeans, gave her a great ovation as she came in to the winner’s circle. She’s a great one and it was a thrill to see it, even at 6-5!<br>I still haven’t processed the entire day fully- lots of excitement and great sadness too. The classic was great- Bernardini made his move, and just when I thought he was about to run off with it, there was Invasor. His trainer deserves a lot of credit. By the time the race went off I thought Bernardini would probably win given his post and the fact that the other 4 dirt races were won by horses running on the rail. Guess I forgot that the really good ones always overcome the track bias!<br>Surprising results overall for the Europeans on grass- many people favor them in BC races (with good reason!) but especially when it is at Churchill. The Mile was a much bigger surprise to me than the Turf, though.

Maxilon, too bad you couldn’t be there. Have you ever come over for a BC?

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