Mike Smith will ride Game On Dude in Native Diver

[Tvghrtvfan]

You have a thing with Raffy huh!!! Do you think Joe Talamo is better than Raffy???? or Even Julien Leparoux!!!!????

No just Joel. Bejarano would struggle back east getting mounts at Gulfstream Park.[/quote]

Wasn't Raffy in the top 5 one time at Gulfstream during his time on the East Coast before becoming a top So.Cal Rider.

[Nittz]

I have seen Rafa out duel Joel as well. A lot came down to had the better horse

[Tvghrtvfan]

I have seen Rafa out duel Joel as well. A lot came down to had the better horse

Still think Raffy is a better rider

[Fredo]

You want me to run around the block because I think Game On Dude is overrated ? LMAO Ya OK Vic.

[Goofonroof]

You want me to run around the block because I think Game On Dude is overrated ? LMAO Ya OK Vic.

No I wanted you to run around the block because you put "sharp post" when Pat was busting my chops about Shackleford even when I was agreeing with him.

I don't have a take on Game On Dude other than I know I'd sure like to own him.

[Curtiswright]

You could have cited horses like Precisionist (bounced in the Vernon Underwood) or Officer (couldn't win the Cal Cup Juvenile) as bet against types coming out of the Breeder's Cup. I think Groupie Doll is a poor example. If you bet against her, you made out fine but not necessarily for the right reason. Right or wrong, the tickets on Stay Thirsty cashed just the same.

I saw Precisionist run MANY times out here in the mid-80's. He would have SMOKED this group in the Cigar Mile.

No comparison.

Point is, Groupie Doll lost (and I've always said that horses coming out of BC events are play-againsts next out)/ Precisionist is 10 lengths faster than Groupie Doll (and that was on Groupie Doll's best day).

I'm sure I saw Precisionist run at least as many times as you did and you're right there is no comparison as to their abilities as racehorses--one is a Hall of Famer the other a nice filly who is at her peak. My point--which I'm pretty sure you know--is their next out placement after their BC wins. Precisionist dropped down and finished fourth in the Gr.3 National Sprint Championship, running the same conditions as his BC win, as the 2/5 favorite. Groupie Doll stretched from 7f against a suspect group of fillies to a mile and took on some Gr.1 winning males in the Gr.1 Cigar Mile. Again I agree no comparison. Precisionist won his BC race off of--until this year--a record layoff for a BC winner. Groupie Doll is at the zenith of her form as her BC race was much less taxing. Whether or not Precisionist at his best would have smoked the Cigar Mile field is irrelevant (he did lose the NYRA Mile the same race before the name change in 1988) he wouldn't have after his performance after the layoff in 1985.

[Claimboxx]

As GOOD, not great, as Precisionist was..He lost quite a few times in races he was "supposed" to win...

Precisionist had a world of talent, and was a very good racehorse, but to me was always overrated...I know people will disagree with that, but go back and look through his career...He lost plenty of races where he was heavily favored...When he was on, he certainly was very good, but not consistent enough to be labeled as great.

[Kermit]

As GOOD, not great, as Precisionist was..He lost quite a few times in races he was "supposed" to win...

Precisionist had a world of talent, and was a very good racehorse, but to me was always overrated...I know people will disagree with that, but go back and look through his career...He lost plenty of races where he was heavily favored...When he was on, he certainly was very good, but not consistent enough to be labeled as great.

I dropped some coin on his 'comeback', that's for sure.

[Fredo]

Anyone who saw the BC Classic knew GoD was spent around the far turn, bias or not he was not going to win and will be a major play against in the Big Cap if they go that route.

Give me a break. He got beat by better horses,thats all. He was spent? That's hyserical.He was 3rd 3 lengths off the lead with a clear path at the top of the stretch. Spent ? He went 1:11 and change after 6F ,boy thats a world record pace for the Classic.The pace was moderate and he got out kicked in the stretch.Why is it every time a Socal handicap horse gets beat in a big race you hear every excuse in the world in this forum why they got beat? Have you ever thought the other horses were better on that day ? My BFF's Einstein and Shackleford both got beat on BC days because they weren't good enough that day. End of story.

[Southieboy]

All one has to do is look at the BC results this year.

15 races, only two horses that were based in SoCal won (Beholder and Mizdirection).