Big News from Tim Ritchey?
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Big News from Tim Ritchey?
So, big news conference 2morrow at 12n EST. What do u think the announcement will be? I'm guessing retirement....HOOOO HUMMMMM
"Most people hate the taste of beer to begin with. It is, however, a prejudice that many people have been able to overcome."-Winston Churchill
http://www.drf.com/news/article/70081.html
yeah he's done for the year but coming back in either the Sunshine Millions Classic or the Donn. Bugger. Tim makes a case for HOY at the end of the article. It's a nice one but it's gonna be hard. I love him but geez not doing another race this year makes in an uphill battle. I do however agree with his point on Flower Alley to a certain extent. Afleet Alex is the superior horse both physically and talentwise and I feel he'd have done better than FA in the Classic which makes you wonder about how he and Liam then match up. Can't really use that with Ghostzapper this year as he didn't exactly have a few races to claim as a full season to even be worth mentioning cuz he'd have blown them all outta the water. Missing the Cigar Mile though just makes things frustrating. There goes an end of the year G1 with some nice horses coming in theory. Not Saint Liam but it'd have padded the ol' resume a bit. Bugger. I was really looking forward that race.
By the by...bloodhorse.com needs to do factchecking/proofreading. I keep seeing 'oopsies' that someone with a brain could see if they bothered to look. Afleet Alex didn't miss since the Belmont due to a foot bruise..people.
And no he didn't come down with one. It was and has always been the leg. http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30917 nice Ritchey quotes here though.
yeah he's done for the year but coming back in either the Sunshine Millions Classic or the Donn. Bugger. Tim makes a case for HOY at the end of the article. It's a nice one but it's gonna be hard. I love him but geez not doing another race this year makes in an uphill battle. I do however agree with his point on Flower Alley to a certain extent. Afleet Alex is the superior horse both physically and talentwise and I feel he'd have done better than FA in the Classic which makes you wonder about how he and Liam then match up. Can't really use that with Ghostzapper this year as he didn't exactly have a few races to claim as a full season to even be worth mentioning cuz he'd have blown them all outta the water. Missing the Cigar Mile though just makes things frustrating. There goes an end of the year G1 with some nice horses coming in theory. Not Saint Liam but it'd have padded the ol' resume a bit. Bugger. I was really looking forward that race.
By the by...bloodhorse.com needs to do factchecking/proofreading. I keep seeing 'oopsies' that someone with a brain could see if they bothered to look. Afleet Alex didn't miss since the Belmont due to a foot bruise..people.
And no he didn't come down with one. It was and has always been the leg. http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30917 nice Ritchey quotes here though.-
vineyridge
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vineyridge
- Grade III Winner
- Posts: 1195
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 9:41 am
hi guys
After reading the DRF article it sounds to me like the leg is NOT healing as quickly as hoped (as it relates to a return to racing) and/or to the satisfaction of the powers that be . I suggest that if trainer Tim Ritchey wanted to add some credibility to his comments he would have the veterinarian (or spokesperson for the veterinary team) that is overseeing Afleet Alex's recovery, offer some professional commentary.
Other than that, it sounded like Ritchey was taking the opportunity to pitch (on behalf of Team Alex) for the Horse Of The Year nod. I don't see it, and I'm less convinced than ever (since his injury and surgery) that we'll ever see Alex race again. Maybe he will run again, but I expect that if a money-deal (for his breeding qualities) was completed...he'd probably be retired from racing.
The article is unconvincing to me...at least to the extent that I sense that the money that Team Alex is looking for is far from what's being offered. That wasn't spelled out in the article...but I am confident that Team Alex has been aggressively looking to make a deal...and there are obviously no takers (at this time) at the numbers, terms and/or conditions that Team Alex is looking for right now. If they're looking for the dollars that were reported last year for Smarty Jones...I suggest it's a dream and not going to happen...at least not now.
Quoting the DRF article (as written by David Grening) "Ritchey said he would like to have a six or seven-race campaign with Afleet Alex next year that culminates in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Ritchey also said he would like to run Afleet Alex on the turf."
The DRF article also offered "Afleet Alex resumed training in September and had two strong workouts on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 in hopes of making it to the Breeders' Cup. That plan was scrapped when a set of X-rays taken after the second work revealed the fracture had not totally healed." What does that really mean...they were obviously drilling Afleet Alex when his fracture was not 100% healed...hmmm. What does his attending veterinarian have to say?
Regardless...I suggest that if Alex does return to the races in 2006 (as Ritchey apparently said he would like, per Grening), and if Alex returns to his early 2005 form...I expect that Horse Of The Year honors for year 2006 could very well be a reality.
Afleet Alex is a wonderful racehorse and I wish him and his Team all the best...but I sense that they might be playing poker right now...and we might be seeing some bluffing going on too.
I am confident that there are still some serious suitors ready, willing and able to make a money deal for Alex...but I also sense that Team Alex is disappointed (possibly an understatement) when they hear the numbers that are being discussed. Part of the problem might be that his pedigree is not enough to convince any suitor that they should go All-In for Afleet Alex.
If his future as a successful racehorse at the highest level becomes more doubtful than it is already (and Alex does not attain Horse Of The Year honors for 2005)...I expect that reality might set in and Team Alex will probably recognize that their asset's value (which is directly related to their negotiating power) is not exactly what they thought it was (possibly significantly less).
Then a deal will probably get done.
Good luck to all.
Respectfully
After reading the DRF article it sounds to me like the leg is NOT healing as quickly as hoped (as it relates to a return to racing) and/or to the satisfaction of the powers that be . I suggest that if trainer Tim Ritchey wanted to add some credibility to his comments he would have the veterinarian (or spokesperson for the veterinary team) that is overseeing Afleet Alex's recovery, offer some professional commentary.
Other than that, it sounded like Ritchey was taking the opportunity to pitch (on behalf of Team Alex) for the Horse Of The Year nod. I don't see it, and I'm less convinced than ever (since his injury and surgery) that we'll ever see Alex race again. Maybe he will run again, but I expect that if a money-deal (for his breeding qualities) was completed...he'd probably be retired from racing.
The article is unconvincing to me...at least to the extent that I sense that the money that Team Alex is looking for is far from what's being offered. That wasn't spelled out in the article...but I am confident that Team Alex has been aggressively looking to make a deal...and there are obviously no takers (at this time) at the numbers, terms and/or conditions that Team Alex is looking for right now. If they're looking for the dollars that were reported last year for Smarty Jones...I suggest it's a dream and not going to happen...at least not now.
Quoting the DRF article (as written by David Grening) "Ritchey said he would like to have a six or seven-race campaign with Afleet Alex next year that culminates in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Ritchey also said he would like to run Afleet Alex on the turf."
The DRF article also offered "Afleet Alex resumed training in September and had two strong workouts on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 in hopes of making it to the Breeders' Cup. That plan was scrapped when a set of X-rays taken after the second work revealed the fracture had not totally healed." What does that really mean...they were obviously drilling Afleet Alex when his fracture was not 100% healed...hmmm. What does his attending veterinarian have to say?
Regardless...I suggest that if Alex does return to the races in 2006 (as Ritchey apparently said he would like, per Grening), and if Alex returns to his early 2005 form...I expect that Horse Of The Year honors for year 2006 could very well be a reality.
Afleet Alex is a wonderful racehorse and I wish him and his Team all the best...but I sense that they might be playing poker right now...and we might be seeing some bluffing going on too.
I am confident that there are still some serious suitors ready, willing and able to make a money deal for Alex...but I also sense that Team Alex is disappointed (possibly an understatement) when they hear the numbers that are being discussed. Part of the problem might be that his pedigree is not enough to convince any suitor that they should go All-In for Afleet Alex.
If his future as a successful racehorse at the highest level becomes more doubtful than it is already (and Alex does not attain Horse Of The Year honors for 2005)...I expect that reality might set in and Team Alex will probably recognize that their asset's value (which is directly related to their negotiating power) is not exactly what they thought it was (possibly significantly less).
Then a deal will probably get done.
Good luck to all.
Respectfully
The thing that seemed strange to me is that when he was withdrawn from consideration for the Breeders Cup Classic they stated the fracture was 99% healed. Now its still not healed and they are stumping for Horse of the Year honors despite the fact he only has 2 Gr I wins to Saint Liam's 4. It also seems that he hasn't worked in a while after two really salty works in a row. Hmmmm. Could they be holding out the carrot that the horse will race next year in order to squeeze more money out of a stud deal all the time knowing the horse is not sound enough to compete again?
I love conspiracy theories
I love conspiracy theories
I don't have low self-esteem. I have low esteem for everyone else. ~ Daria
hi austique
You wrote "Could they be holding out the carrot that the horse will race next year in order to squeeze more money out of a stud deal all the time knowing the horse is not sound enough to compete again? I love conspiracy theories."
You might be right on target...I expect that Team Alex is working overtime trying to make a deal re: Afleet Alex's career at stud.
For a number of reasons, it wouldn surprise me if a deal was done sooner rather than later. The numbers (that Team Alex was looking for) apparently have turned off many that were previously interested in the colt, but I sense that a few suitors (including Three Chimneys) are still in the fray...and might be willing to step up to the plate if they could convince Team Alex to lower their sights and make a deal, maybe in the $15mil to $17mil+- range (depending on the terms and conditions and to what extent Team Alex would stay in the deal).
Consider this...reports are that Afleet Alex is not the physically impressive and/or big strapping Rock Hard Ten-type (apparently AA is more in the 15-2HH to 15-3HH range)...his pedigree is not exactly what you might write home about (unless you were questioning it, not applauding it)...and his sire Northern Afleet has been announced for 2006 at $20,000. That does not help make the case for paying the big bucks for Afleet Alex when you could breed to his relatively young sire for $20,000. I applaud Northen Afleet's connections (including Taylor Made) for announcing his 2006 stud fee at (what is in my opinion) such an appealing number.
I believe that Team Alex's dreams of receiving the kind of money for Alex that was reported re: last year's Smarty Jones deal (and I question what the real numbers and deal were anyway), is NOT going to happen (not now anyway)...nothing close.
I sense a floundering Team Alex with a possibly unsound racehorse. Sounds to me that might be enough to set a fire under Team Alex, and as a result I would guess that a deal might be close...and it wouldn't surprise me if Three Chimneys ultimately pulled the trigger.
Respectfully
You wrote "Could they be holding out the carrot that the horse will race next year in order to squeeze more money out of a stud deal all the time knowing the horse is not sound enough to compete again? I love conspiracy theories."
You might be right on target...I expect that Team Alex is working overtime trying to make a deal re: Afleet Alex's career at stud.
For a number of reasons, it wouldn surprise me if a deal was done sooner rather than later. The numbers (that Team Alex was looking for) apparently have turned off many that were previously interested in the colt, but I sense that a few suitors (including Three Chimneys) are still in the fray...and might be willing to step up to the plate if they could convince Team Alex to lower their sights and make a deal, maybe in the $15mil to $17mil+- range (depending on the terms and conditions and to what extent Team Alex would stay in the deal).
Consider this...reports are that Afleet Alex is not the physically impressive and/or big strapping Rock Hard Ten-type (apparently AA is more in the 15-2HH to 15-3HH range)...his pedigree is not exactly what you might write home about (unless you were questioning it, not applauding it)...and his sire Northern Afleet has been announced for 2006 at $20,000. That does not help make the case for paying the big bucks for Afleet Alex when you could breed to his relatively young sire for $20,000. I applaud Northen Afleet's connections (including Taylor Made) for announcing his 2006 stud fee at (what is in my opinion) such an appealing number.
I believe that Team Alex's dreams of receiving the kind of money for Alex that was reported re: last year's Smarty Jones deal (and I question what the real numbers and deal were anyway), is NOT going to happen (not now anyway)...nothing close.
I sense a floundering Team Alex with a possibly unsound racehorse. Sounds to me that might be enough to set a fire under Team Alex, and as a result I would guess that a deal might be close...and it wouldn't surprise me if Three Chimneys ultimately pulled the trigger.
Respectfully
FOS and vineyridge are right on target. I attended the media breakfast the morning after the BC and Tom Durkin asked Dutrow how it felt to have a HOY?! Guess you know what his vote will be 
Anyway, I'm sure team Afleet Alex is just trying to make sure the media doesn't forget about him.
Anyway, I'm sure team Afleet Alex is just trying to make sure the media doesn't forget about him."Most people hate the taste of beer to begin with. It is, however, a prejudice that many people have been able to overcome."-Winston Churchill
Afleet Alex will take thirty days off and then will be prepared for either the Sunshine Millions or the Donn. I think Tim Ritchey's estimation that because Afleet Alex beat Flower Alley handily twice and Saint Liam only beat him by what a length he deserves Horse of the Year is a little far fetched. I don't think Flower Alley is the same horse now that he was in the Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby and I think Afleet Alex might find him a bit more of a test today. I guess we'll never know.
I don't have low self-esteem. I have low esteem for everyone else. ~ Daria