A "Grand" Advantage for Home Team in the World Cup?

[derby1592]

You have to figure there is significant advantage to the home team in the World Cup. Grand Hombre looks like a potential super horse off his 3yo form and he could certainly run a new top off the bench at 4 for a layoff barn. If he moves forward, he could win even if the two faves fire and there are some reasons to think that the faves may not even run there best in here.

I am still not convinced the M\'Doro is at his best at 10f and the post, pace and ship all make him a vulnerable favorite in here.

PP may have traffic problems or also may have to go wide and he has never run outside of Southern Cal so the ship may really affect him.

I have no idea what the odds will be but I am guessing that double-digit odds on GH is probable, which looks pretty tempting to me. The biggest concern is the 10f distance, particularly off the bench but you have to figure that the Godolphin gang will have him pretty tight for this. Grand Hombre, rather than Funny Cide or Perfect Drift, just may turn out to be the super gelding that will win a lot of races and money over the next few years...

There are also some interesting, wide-open turf races as well on the card with some very live potential longshot bombs.

Good luck.

Chris

I don\'t think MDO is suspect at 10 furlongs anymore - certainly not at this stage of his career. I thought he ran a huge race in the BC to put away Congaree (who was/is always highly suspect at 10F) and continue very gamely.

If Grand Hombre wins here they should immediately build a statue of the trainer. IMHO, last year GH was a lightly raced improving 3YO with a lot of potential. However, I think he was overrated at the time he was stopped on because of a win in the mud against Dynever - who did not fire that day (no matter was the TG figs say). He certainly has the potential to be \"anything\", but IMHO he will have to run MUCH better than he has ever run to contend here (no matter was the TG figs say). To do that off a layoff running at 10 furlongs for the first time would me a momumental training feat. I am looking forward to seeing how good he can get later this year.

[Mall]

Chris: Don\'t be mislead by the TVG ads & the 10am start of their coverage. The Mile(Firebreak) & Derby(Lundy\'s Liability) are already over & you\'re going to need to be ready to pounce on the longshot bomb you like in the turf race shortly after TVG goes on the air. Good Luck.

[Michael D.]

i think i will take a shot with GH. i don\'t know how far he can run, but with blinkers on, i have to imagine they will be gunning from the start. with the home court advantage, i\'m hoping he gets a bit brave, and never stops. i will go with alke as well. pletcher has the quarter horse genes (father was in the game), he might have an advantage over the other US trainers when preparing a horse to run without ever taking a turn. good luck everyone !!!

[P.Eckhart]

I guess GH is showing up well on TG, looks to be around 13/1. He\'s too much of an unknown quantity for me here though, and must improve a deal. I\'ve taken a bit of 3/1 PP which is a shade of value to my opinion. Mandella has a solid record abroad, touch of seconditis, but that\'s the rub. Good luck.