Verizon

[Sparc Stables]

Guys is it just me or should Verizon be in this weekends route finals ?And for that matter putty Tatt..




Thanks
Russ S

[Star Of The Desert]

Russ:

I think the resaon they aren't in the finals is because they raced in SS races with 5 or less entrants.

To earn SS points I believe there have to be at least six runners in the race, and even though both of those horses made the money in their respective SS races, the fields were too small for them to qualify.

If I am mistaken in this I am sure someone will correct me.


Burky

[Sparc Stables]

Ahhh yes thats it ty....

[Thunder Downunder]

Well I for one think that Verizon would have started odds-on favorite. With the omission of Verizon and Miss H,H on a technicality, the field did not correspond with the best of the best 2yo route fillies that we have seen during the season. This was emphasized by our 3rd best filly winning the Route Final.

I believe it is a good case to suggest that the rules should be changed to "a minimum of 4 starters" to earn qualifying points to the SSS Finals?

If it is any consolation Russ, we are willing to match race ELECTRICITY against Verizon, perhaps on the last day of the season, with the same conditions as the route final i.e. 10f dirt. You can name the entry/prizemoney conditions.

Norm/Nigel

[Sparc Stables]

Sounds like fun..I"ll go under any terms just let me know..




Thanks
Russ S

[Mysontim]

I must take exception Norm

I respectfully disagree Norm. There were quite a few races that either Miss H.H. or Verizon could have entered all season that would have given them enough points. Also by your assestment if they were the best route fillies then they should have been running in these races anyway. I would also think that if this is true then Queenie Deb is the best sprinter? I don't think she is the best sprinting filly. My own frustration with her meters has cost her from being more dominating in her route races. But this is the beauty of Horse Racing and that is everyone has their own opinion on horses.

[Thunder Downunder]

Joe, Verizon ran in 4 SSS Route heats. She won one and ran second in two and 3rd in the other but didn't get any points because of insufficient starters. The qualifying heats were in the first month of the new season but Verizon wasn't bred until June.

I'm not disputing that Queenie Deb wasn't worthy to be in the Final but I also believe Verizon had done more than enough to get a start too but was foiled by a rule which I believe should be amended.

[Ryan Express]

I agree with Norm that the rule should be amended. The only time a minimum-starters rule is needed is when the SS field fills and another heat opens. In the past, we saw abuse because the SS field would fill, and trainers would scratch to go win the 3-horse second heat, which opens automatically upon the first field filling and posting. The first heat should always be a qualifying heat. If the six-horse rule is to exist, it should only apply to the second heat. Even there, though, I think there are better solutions to apportioning and awarding points when nominations exceed 12 for a particular SS race.

[Gunner Stable]

i agree with Joe you guys make me laugh, this is a perfect example where the owner was more interested in a win than the purse. the best horse? prove it by running against the bigger fields Verizon did run in ss races but it looks like to me the spots were picked for the best chance of a win. about time the guys with the top horses started running them against the other top horses!

[Sparc Stables]

LOl i entered her in every sss race .thats where the top horses go to race .Or maybe im wrong.I ran my horses in all the big races this year never once picked there spots.you should take a closer look before making comments like that.....

[Ryan Express]

I couldn't agree more, Gunner, about top horses chasing wins instead of purses. I don't know why I make you laugh, though, as I have been the most outspoken person on this topic, agreeing with you. I just don't think that's a fair criticism of Russ or Verizon. She was created in month two, and tried seven times to run against the best, out of 14 starts. Russ always had at least one, usually 2 horses, in the SS fields. I know for a fact that Verizon was entered early in the week, hoping to find full fields. I know this because I was helping Russ manage his stable during his busy times. My point is that when horses DO enter the SS Fields and try to run against the best, they shouldn't be denied SS points because OTHER horses have dodged the SS.

[Vagabundo Stables]

I've been trying to make a post to this thread for about 2 hours now but I always seem to be going off on a long winded tangent about other things in the game.

The main point I was wanting to make was that if you scratch from a race before or after it splits you shouldnt be able to enter into either or the races. Now as we'll probably see within the next week or so in the Tracksider Miles if you wanted to play a little strategy and wait for the split and enter the second to race against fewer horses then more power to you. That's just a bit of strategy that will give someone an advantage. Of course the added purses should be prorated as well based on the number of entrants which I assume they are. I think barring entry after a scratch will help to start to solve the problem, but as the site grows especially with the number of good 2 yo's that look to be coming out we may start to see the stakes races splitting more often. Now is it fair for say horse X who finishes 5th in the full first race to not get points when it would easily finish 2nd or 3rd in the second race? Because of that I tend to agree with the set up that is in place though it is unfortunate for some horses to end up not being eligible for the finals. Hopefully more horses will be entered this year and it won't be a problem especially for those that enter their horses early to get into the main frame. You may have to skip that wednesday open allowance in order to ensure getting into the stakes race that will offer points. What a shame

As far as all the other points I was trying to make I'll hold those for a time when I feel like typing more

Brian

[Thunder Downunder]

WoW! This thread went wayward from the initial post that I intended. All I was offering Russ is for Verizon to have a crack at ELECTRICITY because she (Verizon) was denied the opportunity to get into the Final this season. I rated Verizon the best route filly of the season but looking more closely into the form of other top 2yo route fillies, Queenie Deb achieved as much if not more. I have never believed that Miss H,H was up to their standard over distance, but higher than ELECTRICITY. We did make some drastic changes to ELECTRICITY's set-up in the Final compared to previous races and hopefully we have hit on the key to her, but I suspect that the race was run to suit her on that day.

The season is grinding to a close and the match race offer was just to add some interest to the final days.

As far as the minimum number of entries rule, I was suggesting that it be amended because most of the 2yo route filly races only had 5 starters or less. Maybe it was just a poor season for this class and looking at the works of next season's 2yo fillies, this may never happen again. I just think if points are awarded to 4th place and there are 4 starters, then the points should stand.

The "GLL's 3rd best filly" statement wasn't in reference to the caliber of the Finals field, it was my personal rating. In hindsight, she may have well been our best filly on the day.

Oh well, I guess the questions will be answered next season, when they do battle again. Remind me not to put in threads like this, although they do make the Forum interesting Good to see Gunner vocal again.

N

[Mysontim]

I have an idea

What if we had some races like the Breeder's Cup. A win and your in type of set up. That way even if there is a 4 horse field the winner doesn't get left out. It doesn't have to be for all the SS races, maybe the ones held at the end of every month. I have noticed that the filly divisions are a little lean every year. Just a thought. Joe.

[Thunder Downunder]

There is a 10f Open 2yo filly turf race for fillies scheduled on Aug 30. We will enter ELECTRICITY along with an extra $15 (transferred after the race less D/D commission), if Verizon, Queenie Deb or any other hopeful wants to challenge her "Best 2yo route filly" title along with their $15 added.

I am clueless regarding the Breeder's Cup format but if it is like a 3yo Triple Crown or suchlike, I am all for it.