Who knows, maybe there will be a slim chance of some of us West-coasters seeing him…Pletcher is evidently going to bring a string to So. Cal due to the polytrack.
Doofy me, I have already seen him once, and my statement was, “Oh, isn’t he cute!” :uhoh:
The Green Monkey back to work
The Green Monkey, the $16 million 2-year-old in training purchase, worked three furlongs in 39.93 seconds Tuesday morning over Belmont’s main track. It was his first breeze since Aug. 2, after which he was sidelined with a pulled gluteal muscle in his left hindquarters.
“We were just looking to stretch his legs a little bit first time back,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Pletcher said The Green Monkey missed about three weeks of training following the muscle pull. He resumed training at the end of August. Pletcher said if all goes well, The Green Monkey could debut in mid-November.
Source: Daily Racing Form 10-4-06
A bit optimistic but The Green Monkey, despite never having raced or even broken from the gate even in training, is listed with fairly decent future odds for the Kentucky Derby 2007 
2007 Jan Odds: The Green Monkey 75-1
Worth pointing out: There hasn’t been a Kentucky Derby winner who didn’t run as a 2-year-old since Apollo in 1882. In fact, Apollo is the only Derby winner who didn’t race at 2.
Sure Barbaro bucked the odds of the naysayers with the huge layoff which hadn’t been done since Needles in the 1950’s, but I doubt it.
one question on those odds…who the heck is indian camp and how did he get the jump from 300 to 1 to being the only horse listed at 500 to 1…seriously…
At this point I’d say TGM’s odds of ever getting to the track, ANY track, to actually race are about 500 to 1…
[QUOTE=Jinx;2117603]
one question on those odds…who the heck is indian camp and how did he get the jump from 300 to 1 to being the only horse listed at 500 to 1…seriously…[/QUOTE]
At 500-1 I think the answer to who he/she is would be nobody 
Actually from DRF’s Saratoga Journal of Aug 30, 2006:
Race 4: Violette firster Market Psychology ($4.90), fast-working Freud colt purchased in May for $80k, opens 3 1/2-length early lead, holds on by three-quarters over Biancone second-timer Indian Camp to win statebred juvenile race in 1:12.57.
Owner: Lewis G. Lakin
Trainer: Patrick L. Biancone
Jockey: Garrett Gomez
Breeder: A. Lakin & Sons, Inc.
Program Awards: Breeder’s Award - $2,460
Won Sep 16, 2006: 5th Race - Belmont - Maiden Special Weight - New York State-bred Two-year-olds - 6 Furlongs -Purse $41,000
Lost?
An interesting remark from Steve Haskin (1-25-07) for the Q&A session “Talkin Horses”
Q: Where is The Green Monkey?
A: Haskin: Pletcher is “unavailable” from Jan. 24-26, so I can’t get any info until after that. I asked one of his assistants, and he hasn’t a clue where the horse is.
By the way, his odds of winning the Ky Derby went from 75-1 initially to 200 to 1 as of Jan 20, 2007.
Hm. Perhaps he’s lost in the rough?
Snicker :lol:
But kinda sad that at that price the owners probably had a lot of hopes and dreams and it looks like they won’t pan out.
I’d be willing to book bets at 500-1 that the Monkey will not have run in a sanctioned race by the time the Derby starts. At last report he was at Ashford in KY, working out kinks in his backswing…I mean back end.
If Pletcher gets this beast to the races, I’ll hand him a lifetime achievment award myself!:lol:
I’m guessing that The Green Monkey is going to end up being the perfect example of that saying that in racehorses you should not spend what you are not prepared to lose or something to that effect.
[QUOTE=Linny;2169179]
If Pletcher gets this beast to the races, I’ll hand him a lifetime achievment award myself!:lol:[/QUOTE]
Brilliant! Well, if he gets him into the Kentucky Derby I’ll add to that and say I would hot walk TGM for free. Perhaps his connections should be reminded “you must have sufficient earnings to get into the Derby, not having been purchased with sufficient funds”
At the end of the day he was purchased by Coolmore - one of the wealthiest buyers [and generally more shrewed ones at that] on the planet so they can easily take the loss of this horse being a non-starter. I wonder how much the training with Todd & company has added thus far to the $16M price tag? Oats and exercise rides by Cordero Jr. aren’t cheap.
My guess is the effort (if you can call it that) of also-overpriced Ever Shifting in December was reason alone to park TGM “somewhere” in Kentucky.
Well if the racing gig thing doesn’t work out - and going to stud could happen by why pay even $5k for him at stud - there must be other means for him to earn his board.
He could …
Become a spokesperson for Kiwi-based “Green Monkey” frozen baby food
Become bartender (although I suspect with those hooves he’d give too generous of a pour of Guinness) at The Green Monkey bar and grill in New Hampshire; that’s why the great mare, Pebbles, resume wasn’t provided either
Be golf’s first moving hazzard at The Green Monkey gold course at Sandy Lane, Barbados
Or just join the internet revolution and become a web developer at Green Monkey Solutions - although my guess he’d be a slacker and just surf all day long horse ‘porn’ of fillies and mares
Last I read he was turned out at Ashford. I’d be amazed if he ever gets to a track too and if he does if he ever wins against even allowance company. But hey he’s be a pretty hunter if they didn’t totally ruin his hind end getting him to run so fast so early. =)
I just simply cannot imagine being the person who has to call the owner and explain just WHY his $$$$$$$ racehorse isn’t going to make it to the races… in 2006…or in time for the Derby… or possibly at all. Having been purchased as a 2 yo in training (instead of as a yearling) makes it worse - because the horse was “this close” to an actual race instead of heading off to started under tack as a yearling turning 2. But that is what we can expect by forcing these critters to work that blazing fast 1/8 mile in :10.1 or 1/4 in :21 as 2 yo (meaning early spring) sale. Such a shame.
He should have gone to some mixed QH races instead!
Or, I’ll buy him for 2,500 and pretend like he’s made out of gold.
Maybe they can quick get him to pony horses at Churchill Downs so he can make a Derby appearance.
Yes it would be painful to make the call… “we think maybe he can win for $12,500.”
Is the gate really a problem for him? Maybe he can 'chase. But I really like the baby food advertisement idea from Glimmerglass, other than the fact that it might imply that your baby is going to end up worthless!! 
Hey Jessi, it’s me Chevy. Need a hotwalker again?
CHEVY!!! Where ya been girlie!? You in law school now? We have a spot here for ya if you ever want one. 
Never Under is still running, and doing pretty well - Bob sends her down to us from Cleveland on raceday. I have a recent win pic around here somewhere I can scan. The Gulch filly you were grooming (Tasha) went to Cleveland to Bob then to a different trainer - they named her Galashey. Who was the third one you groomed…?
[QUOTE=Linny;2169179]
I’d be willing to book bets at 500-1 that the Monkey will not have run in a sanctioned race by the time the Derby starts.[/QUOTE]
I’ll take that bet. Who will hold my $2 until the first Saturday in May? My other $2 is going for Any Given Sat as soon as the future book opens. . .
Well as the old lottery adage goes …“you’ve gotta be in it, to win it” … hence its worth noting that a record 450 3-yr olds have been nominated to the Triple Crown (DRF 2-4-07) and no Green Money to be found.
Now he always can be nominated later - for extra fees - yet you know there are problems when they won’t cough up the $600 fee on the $16M horse
The Green Monkey could try Arab racing. In the UK this year they’re allowing JC TBs to enter Arab races, ostensibly as a way to ease into their TB season. Arab races look like a bunch of runaway wind-up toys – I imagine a TB would look funny in this company.
Anyhow, I just want the Green Monkey’s connections to consider all opportunities to get this expensive piece of horseflesh on a race track.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
