Funny Cide and Commentator Out for the Year

[jimbo66]

Two more drop.  Funny Cide and Commentator, both out for the year.  Both would have been at least mildly interesting as Breeders Cup candidates.  Commentator could have been very interesting in the BC Sprint, while Funny cide was unlikely to make an impact in the Classic, but always draws a little money and with the weak crop in the classic, he had an in the money shot, if he was right.  

The attrition continues.  Will we have 7 horse fields in the BC races, or full fields with lower quality horses than usual?  Either way it stinks.

I am giving 6-5 on Commentator never racing again.  

[TGJB]

Commentator is a gelding, and if it really is a shin he will almost certainly race again.

I for one am hoping the Classic continues to fall apart. We are running Super Frolic in the Hawthorne Gold Cup this weekend (which will probably be ROTW), and what would have been unthinkable even a month ago is now a real possibility. Very unlikely we can win the BC, but if he runs his best that day he could pick up a check-- especially if this is one of the years they are serious about testing and prevention. Given NYRA and TOBA\'s record, they may very well be.

[kev]

What\'s his top, Jerry??

[TGJB]

Neg 1 3/4, with a couple of other lesser negatives. We\'ll see how he runs this week before thinking about it.

If St. Liam can be as effective at 10F no one is going to beat him.  

If he isn\'t and Lava Man is still in one piece, he\'ll be tough to beat if the jockey is smart enough to keep him out of a duel. I think he ran fairly well in defeat last time out, but being vanned off can\'t be a good sign. Especially for a horse that got good all of a sudden.

The next best horse may actually be Rock Hard Ten. I don\'t know whether to laugh or cry about that. IMO, he was still developing when he went bad \"again\", but he hasn\'t been that good so far and he hasn\'t run since the spring. Plus he\'s probably even money to fall apart after his prep race.  

If ever there was a year for a Eurpean turfer to come here and take a shot on the dirt, this is IT!  

I think your horse will run better in his next race. He was used hard while wide running into that fairly hot pace. I think it was his best effort ever.  

What does the likely field look like?

[NoCarolinaTony]

Sun King Anyone? His last was very impressive from post 14.. St. Liam makes sense but maybe 10F is too much. Perfect Drift..? I can\'t even believe I\'m saying it. Mass Media off his last....? Flower Alley..I think his last was better than I intially gave him credit for. RHT....perhaps we have another Man o Mandella Day?

What else does Frankel have left in his barn?

Anyone have insight into the Euro\'s? Anyone by Noble Causeway may have a shot.

Should be intersting to see who\'s the last horse standing......

NC Tony

[Kasept]

How about a heaping helping of Borrego?

[richiebee]

Borrego has been stabled/ training at Belmont for a few days, which is a good thing, if you like his chances.

Unrelated note: The profile of Rick Dutrow, Jr. in the most recent Blood Horse does not give one many reasons to like him as a person or respect him as a trainer. The only testimonies to his abilities come from his brother Tony and his vet, Dr. Allday.

NC Tony: Of all the animals you mentioned for the Classic, the first one you listed seems the most unlikely to me. SUN KING has only 2 wins on the year (Tampa Derby and Penn Derby) and these were both races in which he was odds on. I don\'t think he has what it takes (or hasn\'t shown it yet) to beat faster older horses.

To repeat a point I\'ve made in past posts-- I would like to see another trainer take a shot with Funny Cide next season.

NCT,

I forgot about Flower Alley. He\'s a legitimate Grade 1 3YO that could move forward some more.  

[bdhsheets]

Tap Day.

Daddy won JCGC, Suburban, 3rd in Derby, 2nd in BC Sprint & BC Classic.

Not sure he can win, but exotics crasher at a price, getting better with age [only 4yo] 2nd in quick Suburban, 3rd in Sar BC Hcp. 20-9-2-1

[NoCarolinaTony]

I\'ve hit him last year at Monmouth. I thought Tap Day retired? ....I\'m Kidding.

Would be intersting to see if he shows up.

NC Tony