|
|
Post by trackrat on Feb 9, 2010 14:27:25 GMT -5
Did anyone watch the races last night?
From looking at the charts, Aaron Merriman had a TERRIBLE night, finishing far down the track on more than a few favorites. Looks like he wasn't even competitive on a few of those drives. The weather wasn't any worse than normal for this time of year.
Just a bad night for Aaron or is that drive over from PA taking too much energy out of him?
|
|
|
|
Post by cliff on Feb 9, 2010 19:07:51 GMT -5
Although I did handicap the card, I did not watch the races. From my perspective I think he was made the favorite several times when he should not have been. The two times he was the legit favorite he won with Fortune Ho, and finished in the middle of the pack with TSM Queen B T. Trotters are notoriously inconsistent and it was a second tier start to boot, so I wouldn't hold that one against him either. If you're suggesting he's forgotten how to drive  I don't think we need worry about that. |
|
|
|
Post by jimhorseman on Feb 9, 2010 19:36:19 GMT -5
Trackrat:
I had some consulting work last night that kept me from watching the races. I returned home just in time to watch the final race where coincidentally I had singled Aaron in our handicapping contest. Aaron had the 9 post with Ohio Star and Wyatt Irvine had the 4-5 post time favorite GE Antonio off the rail. (Interesting that Aaron drove a Janet Irvine trained horse while Wyatt was on a DJ Milner horse).
GE Antonio left hard from the rail for the lead and Aaron pushed equally hard to follow and picked up what looked to be a perfect pocket trip. However; JD Wengerd and Madelinet tried for the front from post 5 and he and Wyatt battled through a torrid half of 58 flat. Aaron looked to be in a good spot at the half with plenty of horse but couldn't pull as Madelinet had faded just enough to keep Aaron locked in. Chisum; sitting third on the rail with Kurt Sugg smartly pulled on the backside; went three wide, cleared the now tiring GE Antonio with ease and went on to victory. As for Aaron and Ohio Star he was locked in by other horses that pulled and though he tried at the 3/4 mark couldn't force his way outside. He was stuck behind an empty GE Antonio till the top of the stretch and forced to the passing lane with no momentum. Ohio Star did close nicely to finish 4th.
I wouldn't call it a bad drive as much as bad racing luck. Locked in by a horse parked the mile from the 3/8 to the top of the stretch I'm not sure what he could have done differently. A pocket trip early in the race behind the heavy favorite seemed ideal positon. By the way, may want to keep an eye on Ohio Star in an upcoming start; especially if Aaron gets the call again.
|
|
|
|
Post by the believer on Feb 9, 2010 23:48:26 GMT -5
...Aaron was not driving well in my opinion , he seemed to get hung early in the mile the majority of his drives , oh how i miss the Grismore leaving off the gate , either get the lead or tuck in only to re take immediately and control the race. This action of Arod asking most of his horses to race outside first up the majority of the time uncovered wasn't smart and most of the time leads to defeat.
|
|
|
|
Post by trackrat on Feb 10, 2010 8:04:19 GMT -5
I was going to suggest that racing at the Meadows on Monday afternoon and then speeding back for the evening card at Northfield was taking a toll on Aaron, but the Monday card at the Meadows was cancelled.
Perhaps he unknowingly drove over there to find the card cancelled and then had to drive back through the snow? I'll just rack it up to having a bad day at the office. It happens to everyone but for someone as consistent as Aaron, it jumps out at you.
|
|
I don't think we need worry about that.