Gio Ponti a HOTY candidate?

DanipDanip Member
edited August 2009 in Horse Racing Forum
Gio Ponti proved yesterday that his win in the Man o War was not just luck. He can win from a mile to 11 furlongs and there is no reaso to wonder if he can't get one more furlong. RA has been extremely impressive this year, going unbeaten, and stringing togeather 4 grade one victories. But as of yester day Gio Ponti also has 4 consecutive grade one's. He beat one heck of a field yesterday and did so in the Man o War as well. A win in the turf would likely get him a lot of votes for HOTY, but if RA wins out this season he will likely finish second. Many call Santa Anita's Pro Ride brown turf, and we already have seen by einstein and the top two finishers of last years classic, turf form translates very well onto the Pro Ride, so why not go for the jugular by running him in the classic. There he will probably face QR, SB, MTB, Rail Trip, Fame and Glory. Two horses that may, but may not come are Zenyatta, who may stick to the females, and then Europes best Sea the Stars, who could stay in Europe for the Arc. If Gio could beat that type of all star line up he'd most likely steal HOTY right out from under RA feet. What does everyone think about this?

Comments

  • DiscreetCatDiscreetCat Moderator
    edited August 2009
    Sea The Stars isn't coming. The main European threat figures to come from Rip Van Winkle.

    Regarding Gio Ponti, i agree that he deserves serious consideration for HOTY. I also agree that he won't get it.
  • DanipDanip Member
    edited August 2009
    Even w/o Sea the Stars that will be one heck of a line up. Gio Ponti will need to win the Classic to get HOTY, if he goes to the turf he won't and if he goes to the mile he really won't be in the major running. The Classic is it, unless he just runs Conduit into the ground and the record he set last year.
  • DiscreetCatDiscreetCat Moderator
    edited August 2009
    Just ran across this post-race quote from trainer Chris Clement on the Arlington website:

    “We were very patient with (Gio Ponti) when he was a 3-year-old and he keeps maturing and is a better 4-year-old,” said Clement in post race comments immediately after the Million. “There are many good races around and he could go in any one of them. Let’s just enjoy today.”
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