Will Zito give everyone the Bird

[Silver Charm]

Birdstone has not received much attention anywhere and that is a little unusual. The horse comes in fresh off a number that is good enough to win. He tries his heart out when he is right and no doubt he can get the distance. He seems to be able to be placed about anywhere, up close, several lengths back and has a jock who has no fear.

If he wins this race he takes down everything, Three Year Title and Horse of the Year. Don\'t think for a second the connections haven\'t thought of this.

[NoCarolinaTony]

SilverCharm,

He certainly has the right running style to have an impact in this race. The horse has been good to me all year. Zito has been hot lately too.

Have enjoyed your posts over the years BTW.

Tony

Speaking of Italians ...... Abbondanza & Thunderello (are they both Italian Horses?) that ran big at Philly Park in the Gallant Bob just before the sprint? Deja Vu perhaps

[Silver Charm]

Thanks for the kind words Tarheel Tony.

At this point in the year I don\'t think enough good things can be said for horses who are rested and try hard. Being fast makes it all the more better.

The long campaign takes a toll and the ship plus the heat could have some of these packing it in half-way thru the race.

[miff]

Anyone know how the main track and the turf course has been playing at LS. What\'s SaturdayS weather look like.Thanks

[HP]

I watched a few at Lone Star yesterday.  You can\'t really form too much of an impression after a few races, but I\'ve played the track a little and I have noticed a few things...

Including yesterday, the dirt track seems to play pretty square, and I can\'t say it ranks among the most speed-favoring tracks I\'ve seen (despite the bank/not banked turn issue).  Speed doesn\'t hurt, but I have seen horses come from pretty far off the pace and get up (including one yesterday that I liked that finished second).  I vividly remember playing Lone Star (fast track) one Friday night awhile ago where I had never seen so many outside posts come in.  Every race seemed to be 11-13, 9-11, 10-14...  Have not seen that again...  

There was a Cole Norman horse in one of the races yesterday that took plenty of money (I\'m pretty sure it was the post-time favorite) and figured big time on TG (I thought only one other really had a shot against him).  I watched this one in particular.  Horse didn\'t lift a hoof.  May have finished last or next to it.  Hmmm.  

It was cloudy but I didn\'t see any rain.  I watched a one mile turf race and it didn\'t look like a heavy course where the speed was tiring.  I\'d bet it\'s firm Saturday.  

Good luck.  HP

[miff]

HP,
Many thanks for the info.

Good Luck!!

[HP]

Actually after looking at my notes I\'d have to revise my comments a little.  Around two turns I think the track can be pretty square.  In sprints it\'s tilted towards the early speed a lot more.  HP

SC,

Birdstone

I hated him coming into the year.

I hated him in the Belmont.

I disliked strongly him in the Travers.

I still hate him tomorrow.

I\'ve been playing horses for 28 years and I do not recall ever cashing a single bet on a Zito horse. As far as I am concerned the only pattern to Zito\'s horses is that they will outperform when you have a lot of knocks against them and underperform when they look like they are coming into a race perfect.

IMO, this freshening is too long between races coming into the BC Classic at 10F and the horse wasn\'t good enough in the Travers to win this anyway. Feel free to tap out. :-)



Post Edited (10-29-04 13:50)

[Silver Charm]

NorthCarolinaTony wrote:

>Deja Vu perhaps

Classhandicapper, he and I will save you a spot at the table after we score.

[jbelfior]

CH--

His 3yos all run good in the Classic....see Louie Q, 36 Red, Albert the Great.

BIRDSTONE may not win tomorrow, but he will not be easy to beat.



Good Luck,
Joe B.

Joe,

IMO, his Travers was not good enough to beat several of these and I think it\'s a mistake to try to win the BC Classic off this kind of freshening. If anything, PP is also somewhat vulnerable because of that. However, at least he\'s trained by a great trainer and is working up a storm.

Zito will wind up in the hall of fame, but I wouldn\'t give him a 25K claimer.

Like I said though, poorly prepared inferior Zito horses have a better chance of running well than perfectly prepared superior Zito horses.

Birdstone will not get a nickel of my money at less than 25-1 and I don\'t even like anyone in this field.



Post Edited (10-30-04 12:52)

[MO]

Birdstone said to have a skin rash this week.

[Chuckles_the_Clown2]

Birdstone is a good horse. Those last two races were not flukes. His Turfway Park Derby prep was a horror for many reasons. His Derby was nearly as compromising. He has the right pace style, he\'s gettin weight and he\'s working well, though I\'d prefer to see a move on the strip. This is his first against olders and he\'s caught some heavy duty horses. I don\'t know what i\'m gonna do with him yet, but dismiss him at your peril.