Quote:
Originally Posted by pdiggz
Beldar C - Who do you see challenging Game on Dude early? He has shown that if no one pressures him early, he cuts out very reasonable fractions and hangs up W's. Handsome Mike? He often breaks poorly, has little interest, or quits after 6 panels. Take nothing away from RtG but he needs some pace help. Far from a gimme, imo.
Good luck and enjoy the races on saturday!
I definitely see the pace being fair. You mentioned Handsome Mike for O'neill but I also think that John Scott especially with Martin Garcia aboard is gonna be sent. I mean what other chance does that horse have besides to try and gun it--and he's not cheap speed either, although certainly not as classy as Game On Dude.
The race is definitely not loaded with speed but I truly think RTG has legitimate excuses for his 2 races prior to his last which was obv a monster effort. Even his race 3 back where he finished 2nd to Fort Larned in the Whitney was tremendous. In my opinion The Whitney win at the Spa by Fort Larned may have been the most impressive dirt race that I saw any horse put in last year (the big reason I liked Fort Larned on BC day).
I also think that while Game on Dude has run some very nice races over the conventional dirt, that he is at his ABSOLUTE best on synthetic surfaces. I really think RTG has reached his full potential for Mott, and when Mott gets them going good they usually stay on form that way--especially with top class horses.
LONGSHOT PLAY FOR TOMORROW
1st Race Gulfstream- (4) Rough Winter ML 15-1
I have had my eye out for this horse in the mid claiming ranks since his race 2 back at Aqueduct where the track was a total conveyor belt and he put in a solid closing run to be 4th. His last race was awful (trust me, I bet on him), but now they have shipped him to Fla. to run on the grass which is his preferred surface anyway. There are several angles to this horse that show me he is well meant tomorrow, and I especially like the fact that they are bumping him up slightly in claiming price off that last race. The trainer that the the Engelhart/Gonzalez camp sent him to in Florida is an underrated grass trainer too, and he excels with his first time acquisitions. I also like the fact that he reaches out to his go to rider. This horse is definitely a live longshot tomorrow and could easily be overlooked even more than his 15-1 morning line. Good Luck.