Geez buddy. They fixed the horses age issue. They are probably all tired and shagged out after that.

What a joke…

Well….  As per usual, Betcha App very slow…. mainly at peak times….TAB app is not showing balance or log in…. FFS, what a circus.     

https://www.theoptimist.site/chairman-george-puts-both-feet-in-mouth-simultaneously/   Unfortunately Brian won't publish all the comments on this article, only those that favour his narrative. 

Nearly may have punched his ticket to the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Jan. 31, putting away favored Confessional in midstretch and pulling clear to a 5-length victory in a first-level allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Opportune black type awaits some of the five fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Nearly (Not This Time), who could make the starting gate for the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 31, was well-beaten on debut during the Belmont At The Big A meet Oct. 26. Shipping to South Florida to face state breds, the dark bay won by an eye-catching 9 1/4 lengths Nov. 22. Tabbed as the 6-5 second choice after the pre-race scratch of intended favorite Mob (Gun Runner), Nearly was bumped hard by Confessional (Essential Quality) at the break, which put him several lengths behind coming on to the backstretch. The 3-year-old did not show any signs that he was ready to throw in the towel as he sprinted to put a nose in front of his rival–the chalk–around the far turn. Firing down the lane, the colt announced his presence with authority and sailed home to clear the condition by five lengths over Confessional. “Kind of a messy start but he was able to kind of settle after that and get in a good rhythm, made a good run and finished up well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He's always trained [well]. “We were shocked he didn't run better in his debut than he did,” he said. “He just reacted very negatively to the kickback. I'm glad to have him regroup and show what he's capable of,” he added. “It seems like he's a little more professional each start. I liked the way he finished and we look forward to stretching him out. “We know there's options almost every weekend all spring, so we'll talk to the Centennial guys and come up with a plan. He's 2-for-2 here at Gulfstream so you have to think about the Holy Bull,” Pletcher said. “If he needs a little more time, there's other options as well.” The second to the races for his dam, the winner has a 2-year-old half-sister by Authentic and a yearling half-brother by Taiba. Ib Prospecting was not reported as bred for this season. Nearly's second dam, MSW Stormy Frolic (Summer Squall), is a half-sister to GSW Super Frolic (Pine Bluff). She is responsible for MSW Frolic's Revenge (Vindication), who herself produced MSW & UAE-bound as of 2024 Drew's Gold (Violence). 8th-Gulfstream, $77,900, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 1-2, 3yo, 7f, 1:22.88, ft, 5 lengths. NEARLY (c, 3, Not This Time–Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft) Sales History: $350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $78,950. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Centennial Farms; B-Wind Hill Farm (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post Not This Time’s Nearly Rolls In Optional Claimer At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

OK. It really comes down to whether you want a race where the best horse wins (WFA), or one where they theoretically all have an equal chance (handicap). These days the Pattern committees want G1s to do the former.

Young Gainesway stallion Muth, a Grade I winner at both two and three, welcomed his first foal, a filly, on Jan. 1 at Gainesway. The filly is out of the winning Marlinspike (Tapit), herself a daughter of 2000 Eclipse champion Surfside and a granddaughter of 1994 Eclipse champion Flanders. The new filly, who was born at 2:30 a.m. on New Year's Day, is a a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Bullet (War Front). Muth, the $2-million OBS March topper in 2023, as well as a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' for Zedan Racing, won both the GI American Pharoah Stakes and the GI Arkansas Derby. In 2026, he will stand his second season at Gainesway for $30,000. The post MGISW Muth’s First Foal is a Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article