Velazquez probably picks Classic mount Tues.

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:53 pm

This from Bloodhorse: "Pletcher said a rider decision regarding the Classic will likely be made Tuesday. John Velazquez has first call on either Lawyer Ron or Flower Alley."

Any thoughts on the fact that it's sorta been assumed that he was riding FA and now seems like that's actually not for sure? We've heard LR's a difficult horse to ride but what about FA? And frankly who would you pick if you were John? I've heard Lawyer Ron's coming around but it might be too little too late for this year when it comes to calming down. I've no idea if Flower Alley's losing or gaining momentum.

sunday_silence · Postby **sunday_silence** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:53 pm

I'd get my arse on Ron. I'm expecting a big effort from him, esp. since this is his first start for Pletcher. I think they believe they've got FA right and that has a chance to do well, or they'd probably just retire him, being as he has a stud deal already. But, I like LR's chances a lot better. He needs a jock who will work with him and not fight with him. Johnny can do that.

KonaNative · Postby **KonaNative** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:59 pm

Why try to slow him down? Why not let him run. He is the speed in this race and the rest will have to hope he runs out of breath.
Conduit Mare Profile = 3-5-4-9-5 Speed = 8 Stamina = 14 Index = 0.65 Triads = 12-18-18 I like it! If I were John Velazquez I would take LR if the surface is fast and FA if the surface is wet.

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:21 pm

KonaNative wrote:Why try to slow him down? Why not let him run. He is the speed in this race and the rest will have to hope he runs out of breath.
Conduit Mare Profile = 3-5-4-9-5 Speed = 8 Stamina = 14 Index = 0.65 Triads = 12-18-18 I like it! If I were John Velazquez I would take LR if the surface is fast and FA if the surface is wet.

He's not a War Emblem/Spanish Chestnut/Shake the Bank. This is no one dimensional speed demon. If Intercontinental can win the F&M Turf with the right ride, maybe Lawyer Ron can calm the heck down. He's been in other places besides the lead, it's just he had people running the show who apparently didn't give a flying crap about winning the race because clearly he'll slow down a bit and save some for later if he's trained to do it. His class won't win everything and he's got too much general talent to waste just gunning it and hoping for the best. He just can't do it for a 1 1/4 against top horses but who knows if he's got the right conditioning..maybe he can get the distance you never know. I don't know that anybody else will get rank like he could and they will have a kick to take him down unless he's moved up in form or learned to save a reserve.

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:56 am

P Val has the mount on LR. He's training much more relaxed than he was last spring. With Pat up he could carry this colt a long way if the big two falter.