Amazing Alabama

TJ · Postby TJ » Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:43 pm

Questing was absolutely amazing today winning the Alabama at Saratoga. Another like the recently retired Winter Memories, who takes an erratic course through the lane...but this one definitely seemed like she was checking out the crowd. She also swished her tail every time the rider tried to get her to pay attention with a crack of the stick. With all that she still ran one of the fastest Alabama's ever. I know Go For Wand went faster....but that's all I can remember? TJ

http://www.drf.com/news/saratoga-questi ... et-alabama

Mahubah · Postby **Mahubah** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:10 am

Best performance I've seen this year over a route by a 3yo of either sex, IMO. She ran the legs off a good field in her first 3/4 and coasted home.

TJ · Postby TJ » Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:54 am

Mahubah wrote:Best performance I've seen this year over a route by a 3yo of either sex, IMO. She ran the legs off a good field in her first 3/4 and coasted home.

Hi Mahubah,
Kiaran felt the same way as you did after watching her race. He gave his 3YO colt Alpha (the likely favorite in the Traver's) a pat on his nose and said“....‘buddy, that filly would have kicked your [butt] on Saturday,” TJ
http://www.drf.com/news/saratoga-1-mill ... ext-target

FOS · Postby **FOS** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:15 pm

hi TJ...hi guys

What are your thoughts re Questing's swerving out, what appeared to be ON HER OWN, after she turned for home.

I don't believe jockey Ortiz even touched her left-handed (but appeared to use his right hand) coming around the turn (for home), but after straightening out at the top of the lane, Questing swerved/ballooned toward the outside (seemingly for no apparent reason). Instantly, jockey Ortiz tagged her numerous times right-handed, but Questing once again swerved out significantly ON HER OWN (it appeared), despite pretty aggressive right-handed sticking by the jockey. Ultimately, she seemed to straighten out closer to the rail, and appeared to finish nicely.

What's up? Has she done that before?

Thoughts?

Respectfully

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:44 pm

I think she is a shoe in to win the lady's classic. i really do she's the best 2 turn filly/mare going IMHO by a pretty good margin

TJ · Postby TJ » Sun Aug 19, 2012 4:38 pm

FOS wrote:hi TJ...hi guys

What are your thoughts re Questing's swerving out, what appeared to be ON HER OWN, after she turned for home.

I don't believe jockey Ortiz even touched her left-handed (but appeared to use his right hand) coming around the turn (for home), but after straightening out at the top of the lane, Questing swerved/ballooned toward the outside (seemingly for no apparent reason). Instantly, jockey Ortiz tagged her numerous times right-handed, but Questing once again swerved out significantly ON HER OWN (it appeared), despite pretty aggressive right-handed sticking by the jockey. Ultimately, she seemed to straighten out closer to the rail, and appeared to finish nicely.

What's up? Has she done that before?

Thoughts?

Respectfully

Hi Fos,
She's done it in both her races at Saratoga while under the whip. In her winning race at Belmont she ran true and was never shown the stick, winning under a hand ride. I thought it looked like she was interested in the crowd as she entered the stretch. I also thought she resented being hit with the stick as she swished her tail in unison with each strike...but if you read the 2nd article I posted to Mahubah...you will hear McLaughlin's thoughts on her erratic run. Nice to see you here, all the best. TJ

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

TJ wrote:
FOS wrote:hi TJ...hi guys

What are your thoughts re Questing's swerving out, what appeared to be ON HER OWN, after she turned for home.

I don't believe jockey Ortiz even touched her left-handed (but appeared to use his right hand) coming around the turn (for home), but after straightening out at the top of the lane, Questing swerved/ballooned toward the outside (seemingly for no apparent reason). Instantly, jockey Ortiz tagged her numerous times right-handed, but Questing once again swerved out significantly ON HER OWN (it appeared), despite pretty aggressive right-handed sticking by the jockey. Ultimately, she seemed to straighten out closer to the rail, and appeared to finish nicely.

What's up? Has she done that before?

Thoughts?

Respectfully

Hi Fos,
She's done it in both her races at Saratoga while under the whip. In her winning race at Belmont she ran true and was never shown the stick, winning under a hand ride. I thought it looked like she was interested in the crowd as she entered the stretch. I also thought she resented being hit with the stick as she swished her tail in unison with each strike...but if you read the 2nd article I posted to Mahubah...you will hear McLaughlin's thoughts on her erratic run. Nice to see you here, all the best. TJ

if there is any chink in her armor whatsoever that's it.. and it would not be the first horse to ever have that issue, (winning outside of toga or NYRA).

TJ · Postby TJ » Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:38 am

Hi bdw,
To be honest, that could be a mighty big chink. It may be a sign of a serious problem....whenever a horse drifts in or out it could mean trouble is brewing. Although in this case her erratic drifting would usually indicate less a physical problem and more shying from the stick or losing focus. Watching the race it did seem as if it was the stick creating that mess.....however, she did finish the race on the wrong lead, which adds a new concern. On the positive side, it's possible her being on the wrong lead was due to other than physical issues...being worried about the stick, watching the crowd and not paying attention to what she is doing, being confused after taking that erratic course to get away from the stick....there are any number of reasons, hopefully in her case none are physical? TJ

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:00 am

Drifting around and refusing to change leads are signs that all is not well. I suspect she is an ever BETTER filly when she is sound.

TJ · Postby TJ » Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:01 am

madelyn wrote:Drifting around and refusing to change leads are signs that all is not well. I suspect she is an ever BETTER filly when she is sound.

Hi Madelyn,
Off course those actions are....but when a horse is sore it will be a consistent getting out or getting in. Each time this happens the rider would try to straighten the horse out and the "sore" horse will immediately go back to drifting in or out getting away from the pain. If a horse runs erratically through the stretch and ducks from a raised stick, that is not always a sure thing that the horse is sore. In Questing's case, once he put the stick away and went to using his hands....she straightened out pretty good. It is a case, where I'm sure Kiaran will take a closer look to be sure there's nothing physically wrong with her. TJ

ct2346 · Postby **ct2346** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:28 am

bdw0617 wrote:I think she is a shoe in to win the lady's classic. i really do she's the best 2 turn filly/mare going IMHO by a pretty good margin

whoa. I think Royal Delta may have something to say about this...assuming they both get that far.

It could be real interesting. If Royal Delta swerves in like she did in the Alabama last year and Questing swerves out like she did in the Alabama this year...

TJ · Postby TJ » Mon Aug 20, 2012 11:47 am

ct2346 wrote:
bdw0617 wrote:I think she is a shoe in to win the lady's classic. i really do she's the best 2 turn filly/mare going IMHO by a pretty good margin

whoa. I think Royal Delta may have something to say about this...assuming they both get that far.

It could be real interesting. If Royal Delta swerves in like she did in the Alabama last year and Questing swerves out like she did in the Alabama this year...

Hi ct,
It's turning into a very interesting division....if they all make it to the BC. No doubt Questing is the queen of the 3YO filly's and at the top of her division. Royal Delta is also a super older filly....as well as Kiaran McLaughlin's other older good filly It's Tricky. Add Groupie Doll another 4YO filly to that group who recently ran two very much improved races since they added blinker's to her equipment. TJ

bdw0617 · Postby **bdw0617** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:44 pm

maybe my prejudice or what not but i just think questing is a better race horse than royal delta is. questing is beting better horses and is doing it easier.

it's tricky isn't that cut of mare IMHO and groupie doll is a sprinter.. though i am now 100% convince she will handle the dirt.t hat bit me pretty bad on derby

i have my eye on wine princess. I think the best is still very far ahead of her

TJ · Postby TJ » Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:02 pm

bdw0617 wrote:maybe my prejudice or what not but i just think questing is a better race horse than royal delta is. questing is beting better horses and is doing it easier.

it's tricky isn't that cut of mare IMHO and groupie doll is a sprinter.. though i am now 100% convince she will handle the dirt.t hat bit me pretty bad on derby

i have my eye on wine princess. I think the best is still very far ahead of her

Hi bdw,
Just shooting some names out there concerning the depth of the division...it will also be interesting to see which way Awesome Feather goes when/if she races again. We have the 7/8ths Ballerina on the 24th and the 1 1/8th Personal Ensign Invitational 0n the 26th both Grade 1 races that should narrow down the 4 YO and up filly/mare picture. There's been a lot of great racing at Saratoga this season! TJ