Q. .maybe they keep him at tampa ..calmer environment and he's familiar with the track
A. I talked at Christmas with Tony D. He was in Tampa and driving to the track. He says it is a super place to train a horse in the winter. He raved about the turf course as well. So I think you are correct in your assessment.
Q. .probably not though as todd wouldn't be hands on with him (if that's the dynamics of him staying there)..out of my area of knowledge and possibly a guess even for you
A. Well, yes, it is somewhat of a guess. I mean, every trainer wants to see there top horses train and check them out everyday. But if anyone is used to having nice horses at a split barn, it's Todd.
He has a group of horses all pointing for the Derby. He needs to manage them as a group. I have to think he has a list of probable's at this point but that list will shift around as the races run prior to Derby day. We do not know if this horse is near the top of the list, which would indicate that the horses potential has him up that high, as he has not actually done enough to be there as of now. Or, he could be down the list and needs to earn his way up. That is kind of how it works when you have multiples looking at the same spots. You have to list them for yourself and that list will ultimately change some as we go. It was not an easy task when I had 4-6 horses for the same claiming race coming up in 3 weeks so it's got to be miles tougher for this type. But, then again, with the races they need to run in prior to the Derby, that does sort a lot of things out.
Because the horse is still relatively new to the scene, I'm not sure Todd would want to jostle him around at this point to make Todd feel better. He will do what he feels is the horses best chance and work within that in all probability. That might mean bringing him to Gulfstream or ,as you said, leave him at Tampa and allow the horse to rise there. He can still see the horse as often as he likes. It's a short flight back and forth and with young horses, you need to take all these little mental things they might be challenged with and weigh them carefully. The trainer won't just move him because it's best for himself. He will do what he feels is best for the horses. That goes for all of those on that list. Hope that makes sense.
Q. .I've heard trainers like to run there..surface and environment I guess
A. Yes, totally correct JBEX. Like I said, Tony loves it there. He says the horses love it and both surfaces are excellent.
And that is why Tony loves it. It's ALL about the horses happiness and safety for trainers that put the kind of effort into there stock that Todd, Tony and these top tier guys put in. Horses first. They eat, then you eat. It's how they live and think each day.
Heck, in my house, we ate Thanksgiving dinner to accommodate the horses schedule. Same with Christmas present opening for the kids. If you are a dedicated horse trainer, that's your life. Everything revolves around the horses schedule.
Sounds like you are really starting to get the hang of this thing JBEX. It is pretty cool to watch this unfold every spring, isn't it ? Especially when you see all that goes on that most fans don't have the opportunity to see or realize.
All the best !
