In The Sulky Forum
General Category => General Harness Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Headpole Dave on September 09, 2012, 07:11:33 PM
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Bolt the Duer and my good buddy Mark MacDonald continued their solid year, winning tonight at the Red Mile in 1:48:2, setting an all time speed record for Kentucky Sire Stakes racing. Congrats to Mark and all the connections, this is a nice colt.
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There are going to be some extremely fast miles in Lexington here in a few weeks. Definitely some 47 miles...maybe better????
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Bolt The Duer = jug favorite!
He has the off the wings quick speed and explodes coming out a hole. Yannick has sent Rock N Roll winging about enough, starting to flatten out a bit (still a monster)...thats why "jugs" morning line favorite is Bolt!
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I said the same thing a couple weeks ago Jug, Bolt the Duer can fly and gets around the short tracks well... I love him in the Jug.
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Bolt The Duer, probably the best of the bunch has to overcome his driver in the Jug. 1/2 mile track races are often determined by the draw.
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I am predicting many heats. Bolt The Duer got the trip last night. Not taking anything away from him, but this is a wide open Jug. The half equals things out for a lot of horses.
idunno
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Bolt The Duer, probably the best of the bunch has to overcome his driver in the Jug. 1/2 mile track races are often determined by the draw.
You mean the driver who already won a Jug in the past?
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You mean the driver who already won a Jug in the past?
Yes, that's exactly who I mean. The driver who's win % at YR is lower than Jim Pantaleano, Cat Manzi & Brent Holland.
Mark's win in the Jug only proved that he can steer a very fast horse. He's gotten this horse into more trouble than the Lone Ranger did with Silver!
I don't mean anything personal about him - I don't know him, I'm sure he's a great guy.
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He did smile at me last night...he has to be ok. 8)
Mike Lachance said hello to me too. This guy is either real friendly or he has a memory like an elephant. He is always very kind and friendly to me. Just amazes me if he remembers me from the years I worked at the Big M many, many years ago while Lew Williams was still alive. Might have also been from the Grand Circuit, where Irvine sent me most summers.
Also ran into Frank Omara, another top trotting man in my opinion. He said "Man I can't even remember the last time I saw you, Was it Pompano or Michigan? We later figured it had to be 1981 in Michigan.
I had forgotten to get an invitational pacing horse lasix and Frank got me taken care of. He is the best! thumbsup
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Gary, you must just be unforgettable. Frank Omara = Mystic Park.
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Mark has won Breeders Crowns, the Jug, North American Cup, Fan Hanover, Confederation Cup, Gold Cup and Saucers, the Adios and numerous other stake races. He has great hands and can make speed with anyone.
Sure it's been a bumpy first year - but he went to a new driving colony that's very strong and isn't open to others, only to fit in and very gradually acquire some power. You have to remember that he was coming off his third major injury and only had commitments from one trainer - Mark Ford - and we all know Ford doesn't have the stock he used to have.
Meanwhile with the Duer, it took some time but everything looks to be figured out and moving in the right direction as opposed to Sweet Lou who started strong but has faded. Mark put a world record on the colt at the Adios and a Kentucky stakes record on him last night... I'd say he's peaking in time for the Jug and Mark is better on a half mile track.
Plus good things happen to good people and Mark is one of the best. He's been in the USA less than a year, I think he's had a decent go and will only improve... But I'm probably biased.
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Enjoy it, Dave.
I don't consider him to be a top 10 or top 20 but I'm sure he fits after that. I do think he's got the best colt of the crop & that the horse has had several losses that he wouldn't have had with Sears or Tetrick...
I'm not sure how you can describe him as one of the very best if you believe YR has a great driving colony. Outside of Brennan, Sears is only a part-timer & then you have a bunch of mediocre guys, of which Mark's % is the lowest.
But that's not to say he's not capable of winning big races. Almost anyone is.
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Bolt The Duer = jug favorite!
He has the off the wings quick speed and explodes coming out a hole. Yannick has sent Rock N Roll winging about enough, starting to flatten out a bit (still a monster)...thats why "jugs" morning line favorite is Bolt!
Amy likes it when you talk like that
The jug still does heats, correct?
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Amy likes it when you talk like that
The jug still does heats, correct?
Oh yes. I am predicting a race off this year. thumbsup
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Oh yes. I am predicting a race off this year. thumbsup
If I was post 8, I would take my chances in trying to win the final and raceoff.
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Mark definitely top 10. He has had to go thru some really bad injuries. He is top notch in my book
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Mark definitely top 10. He has had to go thru some really bad injuries. He is top notch in my book
So your top 10 would be?
(Don't forget Pat Lachance has a higher win %!)
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Pats wins also come mostly off his own stock... And Pat isn't recovering from major injuries/surgery or new at Yonkers either.
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So your top 10 would be?
(Don't forget Pat Lachance has a higher win %!)
Ok he is in my top 11
1 Sears
2 Tetrick
3 Brennan
4 Pierce
5 Jamieson
6 Gingras
7 S Fillion
8 D Miller
9 Morrill
10 Palone
11 mcdonald
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Jody, Slyvain, and Y all in front of David Miller??? C'mon man. I love all those guys but they are not better than David. Also, you're putting McDonald in front of a guy named John Campbell???
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Jody, Slyvain, and Y all in front of David Miller??? C'mon man. I love all those guys but they are not better than David. Also, you're putting McDonald in front of a guy named John Campbell???
Currently driving JC doesnt make the top 30.....best of all time, but not now just average. I would rather bet Slyain over David or Jody, he can make them go and usually gets value.
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I love Sylvain. He drives everything for us in Canada and has done an overwhelmingly good job. He also has the richest owner in Canada going for him, which helps.
Campbell, in my mind, is still up there simply because he's earned it. He doesn't get nearly the talent he used to. I mean...what am I supposed to say? My son's name is Campbell!
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Currently driving JC doesnt make the top 30.....best of all time, but not now just average. I would rather bet Slyain over David or Jody, he can make them go and usually gets value.
thumbsup
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I know Gary's going to enjoy this but I am serious:
I'd put Brett Miller ahead of MacDonald. And speaking of Miller's, Andy too. And eventually, Marcus.
I just don't understand how you can rate a guy who's got a 9% winning % that close to the top. You can make plenty of excuses but can't explain those excuses, like he doesn't get great stock - so then, why are better trainers NOT using him? The facts are the facts & numbers don't lie.
JJ put MacDonald up a handful of times at M1 & YR & got the typical bupkis!
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Funny that Sylvain is only really getting recognized now as a great driver - he dominated at Rideau and Blue Bonnets/Hippodrome Montreal for years. Even when the big guys came in he would dominate there. When he went to Woodbine or Flamboro he was solid before he made the full time jump... He was loyal to Quebec until they went under. I'm sure you all remember the Monster from Montreal - Goliath Bayama! Filion's top 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZnuUGviiVo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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Couple of blurbs on Mark: June 1, 2011 00:06:00
Dave Briggs, In Harness
Jody Jamieson of Moffat is convinced he was spared serious injury or even death by the selfless act of his fellow harness driver Mark MacDonald of Cambridge.
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Pacingguy, at viewfromtheracetrack.com, states on his blog that,
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Also you said MacDonald messed up driving Bolt the Duer, I was looking at his losses so far this year and I remember these:
Puts away Hurricane King Cole but gets beat by a flying Rock N Roll Dance who is a nice colt in the Hempt. Made all the right moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FUQw8PLY9E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Puts away Hurricane King Cole again but Sears picks up the pieces off a great trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Q5aSZwy8g&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Just gets nipped by Bettors Edge at the wire in the Adios. Again it was a good drive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa3EMvfLQrQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This one bothered me - meadowlands pace elim. Had a ton of horse and there looked to be an opening but Tetrick shut the door quick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip8GkJssPyM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The final wasn't good either, he ducked looking to follow Sweet Lou. Than everyone pulled and nobody went anywhere. I didn't like this drive either. Those are the only two I can think of really:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hhkTuUcPNc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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Dave, you have mentioned "all the right moves" or "good drive" & sometimes it's just that little extra bit of magic that separates the top drivers from the rest. The 2 M1 drives were really poor & again, top drivers do not get into those spots often.
I also recall a drive at M1 maybe 2 years ago - it was a HUGE race & he had the big favorite & he stuck himself out 3 wide at 3/8's & just took his shot which worked out very badly. Can't remember the horse but it was the kind of drive that you might expect from Rod Allen.
As I've said this has no bearing on his character & he sounds like the kind of guy you want to pull for so I don't blame you. I have Bruce Ranger on a pedestal & admit I am a poor judge of his driving abilities.
Pacingguy, at viewfromtheracetrack.com, states on his blog that,
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I know Gary's going to enjoy this but I am serious:
I'd put Brett Miller ahead of MacDonald. And speaking of Miller's, Andy too. And eventually, Marcus.
I just don't understand how you can rate a guy who's got a 9% winning % that close to the top. You can make plenty of excuses but can't explain those excuses, like he doesn't get great stock - so then, why are better trainers NOT using him? The facts are the facts & numbers don't lie.
JJ put MacDonald up a handful of times at M1 & YR & got the typical bupkis!
I don't understand how you can put Brett ahead of McDonald, when the last big time horse Brett drove he was yanked in favor of David because he couldn't get the job done. Don't get me wrong, I think Brett can drive and do it very well but I don't think he is better than Mark McDonald.
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I don't understand how you can put Brett ahead of McDonald, when the last big time horse Brett drove he was yanked in favor of David because he couldn't get the job done. Don't get me wrong, I think Brett can drive and do it very well but I don't think he is better than Mark McDonald.
I'm saying this with complete confidence:
As an owner, I'd choose Brett Miller, Andy Miller, Campbell (ouch), all of the names rattled of by Pezz & several others before I'd choose MM.
Let me ask you this: If they go another full year at YR & MM is still behind Bartlett, Brent Holland, Pantaleano, 97 year-old Manzi, Pat Lachance & Larry Stalbaum, would you change your tune? I know absolutely that Brett is better than all of them!
And I haven't even gotten started on Eric Ledford who was THE leading driver (ahead of Sears) at the Big M before his whole world fell apart.
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I don't understand how you can put Brett ahead of McDonald, when the last big time horse Brett drove he was yanked in favor of David because he couldn't get the job done. Don't get me wrong, I think Brett can drive and do it very well but I don't think he is better than Mark McDonald.
slaphead dorkusinterruptus noway
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I'm saying this with complete confidence:
As an owner, I'd choose Brett Miller, Andy Miller, Campbell (ouch), all of the names rattled of by Pezz & several others before I'd choose MM.
Let me ask you this: If they go another full year at YR & MM is still behind Bartlett, Brent Holland, Pantaleano, 97 year-old Manzi, Pat Lachance & Larry Stalbaum, would you change your tune? I know absolutely that Brett is better than all of them!
And I haven't even gotten started on Eric Ledford who was THE leading driver (ahead of Sears) at the Big M before his whole world fell apart.
If you are going to base the numbers off of Yonkers.....you must say Bartlett is 20 times a better driver than Sears.
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imo there is no real #1 driver out there
give the same horsepower i think there are 4-5 that are interchangeable and after that maybe 20-25 that are equal
i have never seen what other people perceive as greatness in tetrick
i also don't think jc currently is as bad as some would have you believe
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imo there is no real #1 driver out there
give the same horsepower i think there are 4-5 that are interchangeable and after that maybe 20-25 that are equal
i have never seen what other people perceive as greatness in tetrick
i also don't think jc currently is as bad as some would have you believe
IMO, what makes Timmy better than just about everybody else is the abilty to keep one alive.
slaphead dorkusinterruptus noway
I knew our fearless leader would not like my comment about his man crush heartluv but it still does not change my mind on the issue. ;D
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I've known TT since he was a baby. I used to outdrive him when he was a kid driving his Dad's 'junk' horses. (Dad drove the best ones himself) It wasn't very many years until I was hiring Tim to drive mine. Shortly after that I couldn't get him because the big stables had him tied-up. He has an innate ability to 'feel' a horse and know when, and when not to use him. He also has the ability to feel the flow behind him without looking back, which is why he is so good at not getting a horse in a bad spot. Not surprising he's at the top of the game.
JC is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, and if he's lost a step he's still better than most. He's not getting all the top mounts like he used to... hence not the numbers.
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If you are going to base the numbers off of Yonkers.....you must say Bartlett is 20 times a better driver than Sears.
Brian Sears 24.2%
Jason Bartlett 13.2%
http://www.empirecitycasino.com/uploadedFiles/DriverStats.pdf
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Brian Sears 24.2%
Jason Bartlett 13.2%
http://www.empirecitycasino.com/uploadedFiles/DriverStats.pdf
Got me on that one...... rflmao1
Sure seems like Bartlett is better when I watch, but numbers dont lie!