Master of Hounds

[albany]

Does anyone have an update on Master of Hounds\' status for the Belmont?

[Einstein66]

Nothing official, but Aidan O\'Brien said after the Derby that he was likely to return for the Belmont.

MMM and Nehro are almost for sure. Shackleford, AK and Santiva are likely. Stay Thirsy is almost definite.

Also Alternation, Prime Cut, Anthony’s Cross, Jaycito, Awesome Patriot and/or Uncle Sam.

Might actually turn out to be a decent field.

[richiebee]

I could fancy MOH quite a bit in the Belmont, but would like to see O\'Brien
give him some acclimation time at Belmont instead of shipping in just under the
quarantine deadline.

\"Send in the Hound\"

[Silver Charm]

LOL, Ritchie you just couldnt resist could you!

[phil23]

He\'s on track for it, according to O\'Brien\'s wife\'s Twitter feed this morning:

aobballydoyle  
Master Of Hounds worked well this morning and is on target for the Belmont Stakes on June 11th.
about 9 hours ago via web

Any guesses as to what he might go off at, odds wise, assuming all the big boys show up?

[P-Dub]

phil23 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He\'s on track for it, according to O\'Brien\'s
> wife\'s Twitter feed this morning:
>
> aobballydoyle  
> Master Of Hounds worked well this morning and is
> on target for the Belmont Stakes on June 11th.
> about 9 hours ago via web
>
> Any guesses as to what he might go off at, odds
> wise, assuming all the big boys show up?


At least 12-1

[phil23]

I just realized something looking at MofH\'s sheet.  He has basically the same pattern as the one Astrology had heading into the Preakness.  And almost the same #\'s too.  Got to a 6.75 as a two year old (Astrology 6.25).  Both opened up with 4.5\'s in late first start\'s at 3, then ran a tiny bit better in their 2nd starts.  And then Astrology did indeed run well in the Preakness, losing by 2 lengths.

If we assume that Master of Hounds handles dirt, which he did in the Derby, he now has every right for the same improvement and his pattern looks good for an a new top.  He is slower coming in, but so was Astrology.  

Plus, he certainly has experience shipping, as his last three have all involved huge distances.  

Only problem I see is that Astrology was 15:1 in the Preakness (and higher than that ante post), whereas It\'s hard to imagine MofH\'s being that price in the Belmont.  Plus assuming Nehro makes the race along with both of the other big 2 (which may not be such a good assumption mind you...would not surprise me at all to see Motion rule out AK), the field in the Belmont is at least as tough.  

MofH\'s probably would need to jump to a 0 to win.  On a positive note, you would think Gomez will keep the mount.  

20:1 I\'m all over him
15:1 I like him a bit
10:1 no thanks.

[albany]

I think he\'ll be well below 10-1 because I anticipate that there will be defections. Hope I\'m wrong.

With the exception of Animal Kingdom, who may feel the effects of the Derby and Preakness, I don\'t believe that the others will effectively handle the Belmont distance. Given his breeding and European training regimen, Master of Hounds should  absolutely love the distance and is likely to grind out quarters from a good stalking position.  Good to hear that you like his pattern. That\'s a big plus.

Gomez strongly advised O\'Brien to go for the Belmont. If Gomez doesn\'t stay, it will be interesting to see who he goes to.

Albany