tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9651790.post6416806891436349293..comments2009-08-26T17:34:40.086-04:00Handridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10365169347148710377handrideclothing@yahoo.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9651790.post-3402710457109482712009-08-26T17:34:40.086-04:002009-08-26T17:34:40.086-04:00Patrick,<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder what the hell you are thinking. Quality Road is a very fast horse. He is also bred for two turns. He has had issues with quarter cracks. Like many horses in the modern era, he has his ailments. Why on earth would Pletcher have raced him at the spring Belmont meet following the Belmont? A reasonable prep was either the one turn race he won or the two-turn Jim Dandy, which is the traditional two-turn prep. He will win the Travers, then be pointed for the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and with the dam&#39;s pedigree, it&#39;s all but certain he will race in the Breeders&#39; Cup. In fact, his stud value would be enhanced tremendously if they were to place him on the Turf. That is something which is certainly possible. It&#39;s not like he was put away to stud like Smarty Jones because of the foot issues after showing outstanding performances at such a limited number. <br /><br />Gale Sayers proved to be brittle, too, but he was about as great as it gets as both a running back and kick returner. He had moves and speed.<br /><br />I&#39;d equate football&#39;s Sayers to both Quality Road and Ghostzapper. As for the latter, he is the fastest horse I have seen in person in the past decade of well over a thousand races I have witnessed in person in NY. Ghostzapper ran so fast that Frankel was most worried about him having his body not keep up with his legs. He even once said that he ran TOO fast.<br /><br />Look it, does Tiger Woods play every PGA event? He plays about 15 a year. Greatness is defined in destroying your competition, not in longevity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9651790.post-56826758575743589932009-08-26T15:28:20.865-04:002009-08-26T15:28:20.865-04:00Can&#39;t argue with any of your points, but I&#39;m compelled to pull for him as he is a VA-bred. However, the strategy you outline would only make him yet another &quot;poster child&quot; for modern racing: &quot;Don&#39;t get beat, Hype, hype, hype stud value.&quot; <br /><br />Repeat as necessary. <br /><br />Good news is Evans is old school and not terribly concerned with stud values and (maybe) not even year-end awards. I don&#39;t believe he is shy about telling trainers what he would like to do, so keep your fingers crossed.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14617725665429393738noreply@blogger.com