Declan's Moon...

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Thunder
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Declan's Moon...

Postby Thunder » Sat Dec 18, 2004 5:16 pm

He has done it! Congrats to the connections. 4 for 4, What a horse (Although, C. Nakatani was on the phone, no change). It is official!!

Sam
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Postby Sam » Sat Dec 18, 2004 5:21 pm

Awesome run. Giacomo put in a nice run, too.

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Postby Betsy » Sat Dec 18, 2004 5:32 pm

Yes!!

Thank you, ! How'd he look? Was he impressive? I am so happy, especially for Malibu Moon. This guy was brilliant, and if he hadn't gotten injured as a 2 year old, he might have been something special. I'm thrilled that B Wayne Hugh's faith in MM has been rewarded. Yay!!

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Postby Sam » Sat Dec 18, 2004 5:37 pm

Betsy wrote:Yes!!

Thank you, ! How'd he look? Was he impressive? I am so happy, especially for Malibu Moon. This guy was brilliant, and if he hadn't gotten injured as a 2 year old, he might have been something special. I'm thrilled that B Wayne Hugh's faith in MM has been rewarded. Yay!!

Looked good. Giacomo made a big move to get up to him, but not without draining the tank to do it and he was still about a length back at the end. Dec had some left, not sure how much though. 9 furlongs is going to be no problem for that boy. I wouldn't say it was 'impressive' but he was running well and didn't look too tired afterwards.

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el camino
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Postby el camino » Sat Dec 18, 2004 5:42 pm

I did'nt see the race but Giacomo looked good? He is a late closer who should like added distance. Looking for Holy Bull to have a triple crown contender.

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Postby Sam » Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:22 pm

el camino wrote:I did'nt see the race but Giacomo looked good? He is a late closer who should like added distance. Looking for Holy Bull to have a triple crown contender.

He looks like a grinder to me. He may go farther, but he's not going to be real fast when he does it. He made one big move coming off the turn and fell a length short.

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Postby louis finochio » Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:56 pm

Congrats to Trainer Ron Ellis, Leo the groom and to the rest of their crew. Declan's Moon was very impressive in victory. I would like to say congrats to the person who made the mating that produced Declan's Moon.
I love to see the foundation mare Somethingroyal doubled up in DM pedigree. DM has that special class look that all TB have when they are produced from superior producers.
Those without sin cast the first stone.
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FOS
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Postby FOS » Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:59 pm

hi guys

I agree...very impressive performance by Declan's Moon (who by the way looked to be a handsome...very mature looking two year-old).

He appeared to be well within himself...and his running style (in the Hollywood Futurity) suggests he could definitely go farther.

Giacomo also impressed...and looked very game and willing at the end...although he never posed a real threat to the winner.

Wilko was game from gate to wire...but was just not good enough today...a very nice horse though.

Respectfully

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Postby Thunder » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:23 pm

Giacomo is the one to bet on. Hopefully he stays healthy for KD, Preakness and Bel. But I'll tell you today is DM's day.

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Postby FOS » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:28 pm

hi Thunder

You may be right.

Declan's Moon, though, looked extremely impressive...he appeared to be very mature.

Today was definitely his day!

Respectfully

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Postby Thunder » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:36 pm

FOS - Yes, definitely DM's day. But do you think Giacomo was coming on? He impressed me; I think he has a bright future ahead of him. I would like to see an ISO on him.

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Postby FOS » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:53 pm

hi Thunder

Yes...Giacomo was definitely coming on...but his late move was never a threat to Declan's Moon.

Giacomo seems to be a horse that may benefit from a speed-duel up front, to enhance his chances to make the kind of move that could possibly win it all.

I expect he will win some very nice races (and his performance in the Futurity suggests that added distance may benefit him)...but Declan's Moon (at least right now) seems to be the kind of horse...that if he relaxes...can (to a large degree) control the race.

But it is clear...Giacomo ran a big race...and could be a genuine threat in the classics...and the preps.

The triple crown races are still a long way off...but Giacomo is worthy of serious attention...at least until (or unless) he proves otherwise.

Respectfully

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Postby Dave C » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:45 pm

I watched the race today. Declan's Moon was clearly the best today, I'm not yet convinced (may be later) that he is head and shoulders above the horses he faced today. Wilko appeared to me to be fighting Nakatani for certainly the first quarter to 3/8ths of the race, while DM running along side was eager but relaxed. Maybe Wilko was just having to work harder than DM to maintain that pace but I felt that maybe Nakatani was not the right match for Wilko. I was very impressed with Giacomo and with Texcess by extension. The exciting thing is that we'll hopefully get to see all these boys again soon to see if any of the also rans just had a bad day, or were in over their heads.

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Postby Michael D. » Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:37 am

betsy,
i was wondering what happened to milibu moon. what exactly happened to him?

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Postby Betsy » Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:51 am

Michael D. wrote:betsy,
i was wondering what happened to milibu moon. what exactly happened to him?



Michael, Malibu Moon finished second in his debut (I believe at 5 furlongs), then won his next start at 5 furlongs, in 57 and change.....easily. What made those starts so promising is that his pedigree (Indy out of Mr. P mare, from a great European family) didn't necessarily indicate that degree of precociousness. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury and was retired almost immediately after that maiden race. Indy is my favorite racehorse and sire (living, that is - I adore Man o'War and Phar Lap), so I'm biased, but I thought MM had a great shot at stud. I almost wish he'd stayed in MD for a few more years instead of moving to KY right away - it's too easy to become a small fish in a big pond, and I didn't want that happening to MM. Maybe now it wont!