Something Has To Give - Gonna be Epic

[Silver Charm]

Songbird is 11 for 11 Lifetime. Never been tested in the final furlong. Beholder is 13 for 15 Lifetime at Santa Anita. A multiple champion. Stellar Wind is 4 for 5 at Santa Anita a Champion and has the fastest fig in the race.

Thanks to TG I\'m going in the Double. With the 5 and 8. Beholder got the draw they wanted. Similar trip to Pacific Classic. Mandela is unreal in these spots. Songbird will earn her greatness here.

[RICH]

me to in big pk 3\'s good luck , need 5 or 8

[richiebee]

...also great to see Smith and Stevens still in the spotlight at this point in
their careers.

In the Juvie Filly Turf, quite a race by Lull, sans Lasix as Frank pointed
out, cutting a suicidal pace and staying for fourth.

Lets hope this race lives up to the hype.

[P-Dub]

I think that qualifies as Epic.

Greatest race I\'ve ever seen, surpasses the Zenyatta Classic at SA. Just spine tingling stuff. I\'m out of breath. Nice ovation from the crowd for both horses.

[jimbo66]

No doubt, an exciting race and thrilling stretch run.

Now, taking the cheerleader skirt and pom poms off, and putting an analyst hat on, Beholder was MUCH the best.  

Songbird got to set a 23, 47, 1:11 pace, on a pretty fast track, alone on the lead, without an ounce of pressure.  Beholder was at least 3.5 paths wide on the first turn, possibly 4, and then 3 paths wide on the second turn, as the Chatterbox horse was an equine barricade throughout the race, keeping Beholder wide.

And the old champ still got up on the wire.  

If songbird couldn\'t beat her today, with those conditions, she wasn\'t going to beat her.

MAndella can have them ready on BC day, can\'t he?

Jim

[TempletonPeck]

Trakus said Beholder went 39 feet further IIRC.

[P-Dub]

Geezus Jimbo, relax

[jimbo66]

Paul,

Just stating that Beholder was the best today, by well more than a nose.  And she was.  

Old Man Mandella a helluva trainer.

[P-Dub]

No problem Jimbo, and no doubt agree.

Thought you were giving me a hard time for looking at it as just a great race to watch, irregardless of race dynamics etc..

Perhaps a little touchy after watching the late P3 flame out.

Beholder was phenomenal today and 100% the best horse.

[jimbo66]

Could be me on tilt Paul.

Was alive to some good scores in the late pick-3 as well.  To 3456.

And thought I was home as the race developed...

Oh well.  this game can be crual.

[P-Dub]

jimbo66 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Could be me on tilt Paul.
>
> Was alive to some good scores in the late pick-3
> as well.  To 3456.
>
> And thought I was home as the race developed...
>
> Oh well.  this game can be crual.


We had the same ticket.

10 horses, if you gave me 8 of them I don\'t know if I have the winner.

[SoCalMan2]

jimbo66 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No doubt, an exciting race and thrilling stretch
> run.
>
> Now, taking the cheerleader skirt and pom poms
> off, and putting an analyst hat on, Beholder was
> MUCH the best.  
>
> Songbird got to set a 23, 47, 1:11 pace, on a
> pretty fast track, alone on the lead, without an
> ounce of pressure.  Beholder was at least 3.5
> paths wide on the first turn, possibly 4, and then
> 3 paths wide on the second turn, as the Chatterbox
> horse was an equine barricade throughout the race,
> keeping Beholder wide.
>
> And the old champ still got up on the wire.  
>
> If songbird couldn\'t beat her today, with those
> conditions, she wasn\'t going to beat her.
>
> MAndella can have them ready on BC day, can\'t he?
>
> Jim

Beholder was also giving Songbird 3 lbs.  

Here is a question -- anybody know why in the Distaff, the weight disparity between 3yo and older is 3 lbs, but in the Classic it is 4 lbs?  Does it have to do with the distance (9 furlongs versus 10 furlongs)?  If yes, I have always just assumed 5 pounds equal one point regardless of the distance.  Have I been mistaken?  is 5 pounds worth more or less points depending on the distance.

[SoCalMan2]

P-Dub Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jimbo66 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Could be me on tilt Paul.
> >
> > Was alive to some good scores in the late
> pick-3
> > as well.  To 3456.
> >
> > And thought I was home as the race developed...
> >
> > Oh well.  this game can be crual.
>
>
> We had the same ticket.
>
> 10 horses, if you gave me 8 of them I don\'t know
> if I have the winner.

I was alive in the pick 4 to 7 horses in that last race....I thought it was open.....but not that open....alas, did not have the winner.....one of only 3 I tossed.

[P-Dub]

I just watched the replay back at the hotel. Collmus on the call.

That stretch call was begging for a memorable call, and Collmus butchered it. I\'ll give him credit for noticing the tardy start for Stellar Wind. He fumbled for words mid-stretch, and his voice shrieked at the finish. Just awful.

Wrona not much better, his stretch call lacked any real drama.

Where is Durkin when you need him? Trevor would have knocked it out too.

[TheBull]

1,000,000 % agreed P Dub.

Wrona called the race like a nickel claimer at GG....but that has been standard with the foreign announcers we have. Got home to watch Colmus\' version on replay and was equally let down. Sometime it feels like Colmus doesnt have anything compelling to say so he just yells louder. Too over the top. It is sad that these calls will be the everlasting sound of such an all time great moment in our game.

I know Durkin set such a high bar, but man, can someone get even remotely close please?