Quote:
Originally Posted by pdiggz
what do you think about D Devil in the 4th at PM on the 26th? can the old timer even a run a mile, especially considering that this is his 5th race in 7wks? Horse has a lot of heart and is full of game, but this is pushing it, imo.
I've never know Velasquez as a trainer to really push a horse unduly, or who wasn't ready to run, furthermore Velasquez always does a good job with the older horses, and as a trainer I see him do quite well at the mile distance (might be selective memory) but when I see Velasquez with an older horse, racing at a mile thats an instant check mark for me in the positive.
I don't have the form for the 26th, but from a quick peek at the horses in this race, it looks like Mangold's the one who will go to the lead, D Devil typically sits right off the lead, but neither have ran at a mile lately.
This race could set up well for Form a Posse and West Seattle Boy (rains predicted for monday, WEST SEATTLE BOY LOVES IT WET AND SLOPPY) , two vets who are battle tested, and proven closers at a mile. All comes into question whether or not Mangold gets a little pressure from D Devil, but if Mangold can settle........he could carry it to victory.
I would pass on D Devil. If he was a little more consistant in the stretch with his style of run I might play him but otherwise its hit and miss, and that doesn't bode well for adding 2 furlongs.
I'm not so much worried about the race load, I don't see a recorded work for D Devil in the past 60 days, could be he doesn't train as well now that he is older, and gets bored by it so they lighten up the training load, and just put him through some light gallops, than race him on the weekend. Carries a heavy race total year after year (except for 08 when injured).
Last edited by Sti1gar; 12-24-2011 at 04:56 AM.