Baffert believes Belmont good fit for Bob and John
Bob and John galloped for the first time over the Belmont Park surface on Thursday morning, a track that trainer Bob Baffert believes the Seeking the Gold colt will enjoy when he starts in the $1-million Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday.
After a rough trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1) for Bob and John, Baffert believes the 1½-mile Belmont Park oval should prove a good fit for the colt.
"He's still like a young kid," Baffert said. "He doesn't want to get involved in a lot of jostling and he can't really stop and go yet."
Those weaknesses were revealed in the 20-horse Derby, where Baffert said Bob and John backed out of some tight racing early before finishing 17th in the 1¼-mile classic.
Baffert thinks the 12-horse field for the Belmont should spread out enough to allow Bob and John to deliver a performance similar to his winning effort in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) on April 8 at Aqueduct. In that start over a sloppy track, Bob and John tracked Keyed Entry, dueled with that rival in the stretch, and scored a 1½-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile race.
"He should be able to get into his race here," Baffert said. "I had Sarava after his Belmont win and he was like that, in that he could race at a high cruising speed."
John Adger, racing and bloodstock manager for owner-breeder Stonerside Stable, said Bob and John excels when he is able to quickly get into stride.
"We did have a troubled Derby trip. I hate to make excuses and I certainly think the best horse won that day, but we did have some trouble," Adger said. "Bob and John is at his best when he gets into his rhythm. He'll get an opportunity to do that on Saturday."
Bob and John flashed well defined muscles as he entered the sealed track for a gallop on Thursday morning.
"He has really changed in the last few weeks," Baffert said. "I think he has developed and he looks good."
While rain in the New York area stopped on Thursday, Baffert would not mind seeing a sloppy track on Saturday. Bob and John won the Sham Stakes (G3) on a fast track at Santa Anita Park and the Wood Memorial on a sloppy track.
Source: www.thoroughbredtimes.com
After a rough trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1) for Bob and John, Baffert believes the 1½-mile Belmont Park oval should prove a good fit for the colt.
"He's still like a young kid," Baffert said. "He doesn't want to get involved in a lot of jostling and he can't really stop and go yet."
Those weaknesses were revealed in the 20-horse Derby, where Baffert said Bob and John backed out of some tight racing early before finishing 17th in the 1¼-mile classic.
Baffert thinks the 12-horse field for the Belmont should spread out enough to allow Bob and John to deliver a performance similar to his winning effort in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) on April 8 at Aqueduct. In that start over a sloppy track, Bob and John tracked Keyed Entry, dueled with that rival in the stretch, and scored a 1½-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile race.
"He should be able to get into his race here," Baffert said. "I had Sarava after his Belmont win and he was like that, in that he could race at a high cruising speed."
John Adger, racing and bloodstock manager for owner-breeder Stonerside Stable, said Bob and John excels when he is able to quickly get into stride.
"We did have a troubled Derby trip. I hate to make excuses and I certainly think the best horse won that day, but we did have some trouble," Adger said. "Bob and John is at his best when he gets into his rhythm. He'll get an opportunity to do that on Saturday."
Bob and John flashed well defined muscles as he entered the sealed track for a gallop on Thursday morning.
"He has really changed in the last few weeks," Baffert said. "I think he has developed and he looks good."
While rain in the New York area stopped on Thursday, Baffert would not mind seeing a sloppy track on Saturday. Bob and John won the Sham Stakes (G3) on a fast track at Santa Anita Park and the Wood Memorial on a sloppy track.
Source: www.thoroughbredtimes.com
posted by Jacobo | 8:42 PM
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