The Wood Memorial

[Shammy Davis]

The comparison between UNCLE MO and SECRETARIAT doesn't fly either. Everyone is making the comment that Big Red ran 3rd in the Wood and then went on to win the TC. SECRETARIAT was broken to saddle in VA but he was trained in NY. As I recall all of Chenery's horses, once broken, were trained in NY. Repole discards the travel and new environs for UM's show finish, but it is significant with most racehorses and should be well planned. During a post race interview on HRTV, Repole made the comment that UM only had a 2 hour plane ride from FL to NY. I don't think it is that simple.

TJ posted:

Hi Shammy,
Actual that comment was in response to something I said....so I guess I should get the blame for bdw's comment. . .

That's nice of you to take responsibility for Bdw0617's comment, but he makes these comments all the time. MAD or not, I think his flip statement is utterly absurb. Anyone who has ever straddled the back of horse, hack or race, will tell you that a rider's competence is gauged by his/her ability to maintain a solid safe seat while adjusting to the physical strength and movement of the horse. We can pick apart JV's Wood Memorial ride, but even on this laboring horse, JV saved ground, refrained from useless urging, and brought the horse across the finish line with a show.

I agree with Zinn21. When UM grabbed the quarter, it may well have bothered him. It is significant, but he moved well into stalking position early in the race. I think Mahubah is also right. I think there is something more here. I personally think that the change in climate might have effected him, but with horses it could be anything. I'm still thinking about SPECTACULAR BID and the safety pin theory. I've seen hack horses run over absolutely awful surfaces including hard rock without problems and then Buddy Delp brings this excuse up as the reason SB failed at the TC.

I guess there is something to it, but who really knows.

[Cree]

Is there a possibility that he's just not the best 3-year-old? Yes, he was the best 2-year-old, but maybe (and how often does this happen), the crop caught up with him.
I'm enjoying going back and looking at Pletcher's comments before the race:

“The only thing I can say so far in Uncle Mo’s career, in his maiden race no one could challenge him; in the grade I Champagne, no one could challenge him; in the grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, no one could challenge him; so I don’t know where I would go looking for someone that’s going to press him. In most of his races so far, all he’s been running against essentially is the clock. He challenges himself, because he’s running so fast anyway it doesn’t matter who else is in there."

He got challenged and didn't win. I don't think he's the superstar that Pletcher hoped he was. And he's not big, and I don't find his ENORMOUS stride, that enormous.

[bdw0617]

but but.. his last workout was perfect

[Shammy Davis]

bdw0617 posted:

but but.. his last workout was perfect

You need to give up the "sound bites" and the "imaginative videos" and make some intelligent or, at the very least, pertinent points.

[Deltalady01]

Anybody think anything of Toby's Corner? He has never been off the board, is adding blinkers, and has an interesting pedigree.

Well, Toccet02, you were very nearly clairvoyant! Haven't been out here in a while but wanted to see the reaction to yesterday's Wood. I'm hoping that one of the fallouts from this may be that next year we will see horses in contention racing more than a couple of light races going into the KD and the TC. The horses and the sport will be better off, IMO.

[TJ]

The comparison between UNCLE MO and SECRETARIAT doesn't fly either. Everyone is making the comment that Big Red ran 3rd in the Wood and then went on to win the TC. SECRETARIAT was broken to saddle in VA but he was trained in NY. As I recall all of Chenery's horses, once broken, were trained in NY. Repole discards the travel and new environs for UM's show finish, but it is significant with most racehorses and should be well planned. During a post race interview on HRTV, Repole made the comment that UM only had a 2 hour plane ride from FL to NY. I don't think it is that simple.

TJ posted:

Hi Shammy,
Actual that comment was in response to something I said....so I guess I should get the blame for bdw's comment. . .

That's nice of you to take responsibility for Bdw0617's comment, but he makes these comments all the time. MAD or not, I think his flip statement is utterly absurb. Anyone who has ever straddled the back of horse, hack or race, will tell you that a rider's competence is gauged by his/her ability to maintain a solid safe seat while adjusting to the physical strength and movement of the horse. We can pick apart JV's Wood Memorial ride, but even on this laboring horse, JV saved ground, refrained from useless urging, and brought the horse across the finish line with a show.

I agree with Zinn21. When UM grabbed the quarter, it may well have bothered him. It is significant, but he moved well into stalking position early in the race. I think Mahubah is also right. I think there is something more here. I personally think that the change in climate might have effected him, but with horses it could be anything. I'm still thinking about SPECTACULAR BID and the safety pin theory. I've seen hack horses run over absolutely awful surfaces including hard rock without problems and then Buddy Delp brings this excuse up as the reason SB failed at the TC.

I guess there is something to it, but who really knows.

Hi Shammy,
I just finished a post to bpressley about the Secretariat, Uncle Mo comparison (if you get a chance take a look).....there will never be another as sound or resilient as he was. There is no comparison between these two horses....although I would love to have Uncle Mo:>)
When a horse grabs a quarter many times the adrenalin is flowing and it's not as meaningful during the running. Yet I'm sure he knew it happened...sometimes when a horse is held too much it will cause a horse to grab a quarter and I think that's what happened....didn't seem to be over reaching coming out of the gate?
I have nothing against JV, but this ride brought to mind Quality Road and Blame in the Whitney. At the wire JV looked shocked to see he was headed by Arthur's Tale then Toby's Corner. Sometimes a reality check such as this is what's needed to stop resting on laurels and start training like the Derby is at stake.....but as you said who really know's, but it does make for interesting conversation on the forum:>) TJ

[reenci]

Before I make a judgment about his performance I'd like to see the BSF and PF for the race. It will be interesting to see what the numbers tell us. This race may very well be just what the doctor ordered. He lead most every step of the way and was caught inside the final sixteenth. Track looked kinda deep and no surprise a horse losing first time at a new venue. If he gets the deep conditioning, that will be all he needs.

If he were to race this bunch thirty days from now he trounces em'. I ain't counting this horse out, not for a second. He is still two-year-old Champion and that was his first defeat.

Looking forward to the numbers.

heck ..UNCLE MO....that plug ...he couldnt beat Tobys corner at 1 1/8th miles with a head start...he proved it yesterday...that sucker was looking for a place to lay down and curl up for a nap... ...it is funny how history always repeats its self....bellamy road wins the wood ...now his son slays the giant in the same race ...thing is TC i dont think went over the top in this race as bellamy road did.....its a new day in regards to the K.D.

[kimberley mine]

bdw0617 posted:

but but.. his last workout was perfect

You need to give up the "sound bites" and the "imaginative videos" and make some intelligent or, at the very least, pertinent points.

I think perhaps BDW was being sarcastic here?

[bdw0617]

NM

[Patuxet]

TOBY'S CORNER Werk Nick Rating: F.

[zinn21]

TOBY'S CORNER Werk Nick Rating: F.

That's a good one. Needless to say the Derby is going to be interesting. This is the first hiccup for Mo. I'll give him the grabbed quarter and excuse the race.. For me, he is still the best three year old out there but, certainly, a number of colts are rapidly improving.

Midnight Interlude ran a big race. Hooked a very experienced battle tested Comma to the Top and got up to win. and Mr. Commons with a big improvement getting 3rd although graded earnings will not get him to the dance. Perhaps the Preakness for him.

It will be interesting to see who goes off Derby favorite. Will the public excuse Mo and make him favorite or? Mo looks 4-6 to 1 on Derby day to me and that might be a gift if he rebounds.

[reenci]

it certainly would not be the first time i was wrong ..and probably wont be the last time..for that i am certain...but uncle mo wont even hit the board in the K.B.....he was EXPOSED for the pretender that he is concerning 1 1/4 miles...too many other horses that have much more upside when we get to longer distances

[erhrdt3]

Is there a possibility that he's just not the best 3-year-old? Yes, he was the best 2-year-old, but maybe (and how often does this happen), the crop caught up with him.
I'm enjoying going back and looking at Pletcher's comments before the race:

“The only thing I can say so far in Uncle Mo’s career, in his maiden race no one could challenge him; in the grade I Champagne, no one could challenge him; in the grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, no one could challenge him; so I don’t know where I would go looking for someone that’s going to press him. In most of his races so far, all he’s been running against essentially is the clock. He challenges himself, because he’s running so fast anyway it doesn’t matter who else is in there."

He got challenged and didn't win. I don't think he's the superstar that Pletcher hoped he was. And he's not big, and I don't find his ENORMOUS stride, that enormous.

So very well stated Cree. Why is it every time the "next super horse" fails to win a race as the situation was that we saw yesterday, we always usually hear the 'grabbed a quarter' remark from the trainer, and esp. THIS trainer?!
Mo is just another good horse that showed himself a bit earlier than the others did, but now the not so great crop is showing up with him, and he just plain up and got beat. No reason to make excuses all the time, there, Mr. Trainer. He GOT BEAT. If he was injured, he will get better, if he didn't, well maybe the announcers yesterday were right and MO is just a good miler. ?????

[TJ]

Uncle Mo will ship to Churchill Downs on the 18th and will obviously have his final preps there if his bloodwork comes back OK, read the article below. TJ
http://www.drf.com/news/uncle-mo-have-b ... erby-trail

[Whirlaway]

TOBY'S CORNER Werk Nick Rating: F.

That's a good one. Needless to say the Derby is going to be interesting. This is the first hiccup for Mo. I'll give him the grabbed quarter and excuse the race.. For me, he is still the best three year old out there but, certainly, a number of colts are rapidly improving.

Midnight Interlude ran a big race. Hooked a very experienced battle tested Comma to the Top and got up to win. and Mr. Commons with a big improvement getting 3rd although graded earnings will not get him to the dance. Perhaps the Preakness for him.

It will be interesting to see who goes off Derby favorite. Will the public excuse Mo and make him favorite or? Mo looks 4-6 to 1 on Derby day to me and that might be a gift if he rebounds.

No doubt, that 4-6 to 1 will be a gift and considering the luv for Dialed In and The Factor, who knows . . .