July 10, 2010

Beat the Big Favorite and Arlington Goes Green

Four giants of the American racing landscape in twenty-ten are all in action today. Current leader of the three-year-old filly division, Blind Luck, super sprinter, D'Funnybone, defending turf and older male champion, Gio Ponti, and the top older male on the left coast, Rail Trip, will each go off as a prohibitive favorite in big stakes races around the nation. All of them figure to be difficult for their competition to handle, as they try to strengthen their hand for year end awards. As I see it, only three of them will make it out of the weekend unscathed, and one will be taken down at odds low enough to expect the toteboard to light up. Which big favorite do I think will go down? I’ll give you a hint … in the Man O‘ War, Gio Ponti will get back to his winning ways, at Calder, D’Funnybone is close to a sure thing, and Blind Luck towers over her Delaware Oaks competition.
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7 comments:

Chalk Eating Weasel said...

I haven't looked at the Rail Trip or Blind Luck Races, but I was going to send the nice young men in their clean white coats if you had picked D' Funnybone as the one going down.

Gio Ponti should be favored, but I think the 1/2 ML is a little strong. Expansion or Strike A Deal could upset him here.

Brian Zipse said...

Thank you for not sending the men in white coats for me! ;)

NetworkEmpowerment said...

Well, I think I might have to Brian, lol. Men in white coats, sick em'.

Rail Trip was just learning last year, in his two upset starts. Ron said he was still learning, and that his first four or five starts had not taught too much. This year, he has learned to relax, which means he probably won't go after the two leaders, but sit off of them. Personally, I do not mind RK, but do not think him near the same class as RT.

Your point on the Pacific Classic, that was a Del Mar, a track not his favorite and quirky as heck to boot. HP is his track, which is good, because IMO horses that run well there can normally do well on dirt.

One last thing. Does anyone know how BL likes mud? Because it is raining cats and dogs here in DE.

Susan said...

Brian,
You just made my day! I had no idea about the mostly turf day tomorrow at Arlington!
Thanks!

Brian Zipse said...

So you meant they are still coming??? (Men in White Coats)

I do not think she has ever been on mud, but her breeding would suggest that she should handle it.

Susan said...

Blind Luck should love the mud. Pollard's Vision ran very well in it, and he's by Carson City, a true wet track sire.

NetworkEmpowerment said...

Oh, Brian, they're coming. They're coming for YOU! lol.