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Claire Novak
Claire Novak has melded her love for human-interest journalism and the equine breed into a successful Turf writing career. Winner of the 2008 Louisville Metro Journalism Award for Sports Writing, she maintains connections to esteemed organizations such as the Associated Press and The Blood-Horse Magazine. Her byline appears regularly in numerous other publications.
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| Posted: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 |
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MORE FROM CLAIRE NOVAK...
A Classic Haiku HandicapperAs always before any big event, I check in with Joe Nevills of the Michigan-bred Claimer (http://mibredclaimer.wordpress.com) for his thoughts as the Haiku Handicapper. Here, Joe's take on the Breeders' Cup Classic.
#1 - Mine That Bird
Trending down since May
Weak resume at Oak Tree
A one-hit wonder?
#2 - Colonel John
Light '09 campaign
Game second in Oak Tree prep
Would be a surprise
#3 - Summer Bird
Curlin-like campaign
'07's happy ending?
Or '08's synth bust?
#4 - Zenyatta
The female phenom
Her bid for Horse of the Year
And greatest challenge
#5 -Twice Over (GB)
British invader
Not new to classic distance
Don't overlook him
#6 - Richard's Kid
Stole the Pacific
Closer will need room in stretch
A risky venture
#7 - Gio Ponti
The likely turf champ
Pro-Ride win in off-turf race
A wild card horse
#8 - Einstein (BRZ)
Multi-surface star
Does his best work on fake stuff
Could give a nice price
#9 - Girolamo
No long distance cred
Who'd he beat in the Jerome?
Don't like his chances
#10 - Rip Van Winkle (IRE)
In from the U.K.
Raven's Pass took the same road
Can lightning strike twice?
#11 - Regal Ransom
The Sheikh's first-stringer
Big in comeback, but weak field
Will be on the lead
#12 - Quality Road
Loads of potential
Hooves took him from great to good
Has to prove himself
#13 - Awesome Gem
A West Coast lynchpin
Shocking third two years ago
Hard-pressed to top it
Who will take the prize?
Gio Ponti shocks the world
Four, eight for the tri
User Comments
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4 total comments for "A Classic Haiku Handicapper"
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BILL (11/05/2009 6:02 PM)
I WILL ENJOY WATCHING RACING THIS WEEKEND FROM SANTA ANITA..I HAVE NEVER LIKED TO MAKE A WAGER ON HORSES WHO ARE NEW TO THE RACECOURSE...THE POLYTRACK RACING SURFACE IS
NOT A SURFACE THAT MOST HORSES HAVE COMPETED ON, BUT, MY ONE AND ONLY HOPE IS FOR ZENYATTA
TO WIN...
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slew (11/05/2009 5:08 PM)
I am with you on four
and eight but Gio might
get Ripped by the ten.
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Eric Reiff (11/05/2009 8:53 AM)
I wrote that last comment and figured I should leave my name. Good luck to all
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(11/05/2009 8:49 AM)
Girolamo doesn't need distance cred. His father is A.P. Indy. That means one thing. "The longer, the better" Girolamo comes from the same family as bluegrass cat and has champion breeding. The problem is that he may be more of a dirt horse and may be prepping for the dubai world cup. Mine that bird carries smart strike. Anybody who is into bloodlines knows that smart strike and his cousin regal classic are becoming the "kings of the polytrack" Mine that bird will run a nice race if we have some pace. Einstein is a beast and I was impressed with the way he played with parading in cali. Zenyatta is special but she has never seen anything like einstein before. Finally, Gio ponti is a flat out turf champion and turf horses love the poly. We are in for an exciting race.
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The opinions and views expressed by contributors to NTRA.com are not necessarily
those of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association or its affiliates.
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