Point Encounter

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:35 am

Okay so buzz on this horse is kind of insane--I'm hoping not in the way that makes folks feel ridiculous after the Kentucky Derby for even mentioning him (which let's face it is what happens 99% of the time). I heard there were 12-1 odds available in Vegas on him for the KD. Also heard Godolphin's either sniffing around or is in the process of buying so not sure what's up with that. (Please tell me if they do he won't leave the country, it's starting to get ridiculous this year)

He's a Point Given with early speed of all things. Before he even started folks were talking. I only know what I'm being told (and saw from his maiden win at calracing.com), he seems largely off the radar of the folks from Bloodhorse, DRF, ESPN, etc since I haven't seen a written article extolling his awesomeness...he also doesn't have the world's prettiest movement from what I understand but didn't stop a 95 Beyer first time out at Santa Anita. Anybody care to predict how he's gonna do? Is it a matter of his own body not betraying him? At least I've heard naught about his feet.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:56 am

you must have missed the thread where I already proclaimed him as the big brown of this year. I think he's the best 2YO in the country right now.

I love what Godolphin has done for horse racing but if they buy him as well, I am going to have an issue. you can't just buy every damn contender. it's like putting in a code at the beginning of a video game and calling yourself a champiion when you win the game.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:21 am

Oh dear Lord

Sysonby · Postby **Sysonby** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:59 pm

He's very long all over--long backed especially--and while he's a nice horse, he wasn't that impressive in his debut. I don't think he's Big Brown Redux and he'd probably have to be at this point to be a real Derby contender.

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:08 pm

Sysonby wrote:He's very long all over--long backed especially--and while he's a nice horse, he wasn't that impressive in his debut. I don't think he's Big Brown Redux and he'd probably have to be at this point to be a real Derby contender.

it's not the big brown 15 length win that is impressive.

No, what's impressive is 1) unionzie is a graded stakes calibur horse 2) he ran wicked fractions that would have put him in the malibu later that day. he ran 21 and 3, 44 and change, all while battling front runners, then had enough to not onl beat, but srug off, a late closing graded stakes calibur horse.

the devil is in the details.

He reminds me of street sense more than big brown. Street Sense's maiden wasn't anything to write home about visuually. won by 1 and a half or 2 lenghts, but did it in alot the same manner as point encounter did.

louis finochio · Postby **louis finochio** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:03 pm

After PE worked in 1:10:4 he became the buzz of the backstretch. After someone told me that he could run, i saw him wlking on the toe ring, his conformation is like a blocky QH type, his right hind leg is very crooked, when he walks away from u.

Will his underpining carry his heavy frame on the Derby trail ? only time will tell. His dam started 72 times, lets hope PE inherits that soundness.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:30 pm

I know Lou. It's amazing he is oddly conformed behind. very talented. and out of a mare that ran so many times. One would think he would not last all that long as his hind legs are screwed on absolutely backwards.

jennywho · Postby **jennywho** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:50 pm

I think it was HRTV that was really touting this horse prior to his first start. They didn't even know his name just how impressed they were with him in the mornings. He impressed me big time. Anyone know where he's pointed next if he DOESN'T get sold?

On the S. Cal circuit I am looking forward to watching Turk make his second start. Probably biased since we had his 1/2 sister last year and 1/2 brother this year at the farm, but I really liked what I saw first out.

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:07 pm

bdw0617 wrote:you must have missed the thread where I already proclaimed him as the big brown of this year. I think he's the best 2YO in the country right now.

I love what Godolphin has done for horse racing but if they buy him as well, I am going to have an issue. you can't just buy every damn contender. it's like putting in a code at the beginning of a video game and calling yourself a champiion when you win the game.

Bugger, I hate it when this happens..I did a search. Oh well, glad someone said something. I too will be mad if he gets bought up. The way things are going it's gonna be Godolphin v. IEAH. Just give each of them 6 or 7 slots and we can squeeze in a few they missed. I knew PE had a funky conformation but wow, his leg looks that lousy? Well Assault won the TC with a clubbed foot right? I guess anything's possible. I'm confused, how's he long all over and built like a QH at the same time? Me, I long to see an old school, lanky TB. Used to look more elegant...now it seems like they'll fall over if they get any more muscles up top. If they're a yearling and look like a 4yo that's just nuts.

I heard Nicanor mentioned briefly on Bloodhorse or something as one of the maidens to keep an eye on but I couldn't tell if it was because he was Barbaro's brother or he actually had impressed somebody. Has anybody heard about him on his own merits as something interesting? How easily has he been getting the job done?

Vindicated · Postby **Vindicated** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:05 am

Anyone have a pic of this youngsters back legs?

If you all remember Point Given is an UGLY Mother.....

But he could run....and IMO his "injury" based retirement was far more of a precaution that anything else.

Would love for a Point Given baby to run like he did...

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:53 am

did point given have bad confirmation? he didn't run a heck of alot I know that.

I would imagine his next race would be the san rafael.

Helilady, I remember last year in AUGUST I was on the big brown train..actually 2 years ago in august when he won his maiden in such an impressive fashion. Yet the big media had no idea who he was, nor cared to know. he racved on turf and he wasn't derby meterial.

In fact, I'd be willing to say the horses that came in the money in the knetucky derby last year, the media really wasn't "oh". the media was all about war pass ""(a horse who had no chanc ein ehll of getting the distance), court vision (pedigree and owners), colonel john (best horse in socal), pyro (highlight reel closing speed but had no real chance, can't get distance)....

If you aren't trained by pletcher or assumsen, or broke your maiden by 15 lengths, according to most media you are an outsider to the derby trail looking in

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:03 am

Vin, this horse is beautiful.. minus a very long back and crazy hind legs. He was a 2 year old that looked like a 5 year old. Carla is all horseperson, and if anyone can get him to the Derby, she can.

bayrabicano · Postby **bayrabicano** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:48 am

Video of him on youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9aXeG0bxro

ginger1307 · Postby **ginger1307** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:45 pm

Thanks and i will watch the youtube video..Is he sickle hocked or what? thanks :?:

g

Bedouwia · Postby **Bedouwia** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:49 pm

Thanks for the video clip. I enjoyed watching it. I am not convinced yet, but will definitely watch and see how he develops.

Bedouwia