The Green Monkey won't start at Saratoga after all

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;2561980]
So much for accurate reporting. At least four, maybe more, have gone over the $10m mark, in the case of T.M Opera O, $7m over.[/QUOTE]

I’m certain the intent was to say no US-based horse has exceeded the $9.9M mark …

In terms of reporting accuracy I take greater issue in the fact that a race with a purse of $37,200 does NOT mean if you win you get a check for that amount The winner likely is to take home just 60% or less.

For T.M. Opera O (who isn’t exactly considered the best horse to ever have run despite the fat bankroll - not unlike Smarty Jones and his highly skewed “earnings”) it was a total of 1,835,189,000 yen; which is US$14,100,000 at $1 = 130 yen

[Glimmerglass]

Todd seems to be perhaps backing off from the New York Times article that suggested a race was almost picked out - an allowance for maidens - during the Spa meet:

A year later, the Monkey still hasn’t run, but he is getting closer, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.

“He could possibly run up there; he is doing well,” Pletcher said. “He is training more forwardly now than he was last year.”

The Green Monkey was all the buzz last year with his first start being hyped on a daily basis until he got hurt early in the meet.

“I don’t know if it will be quite as much this time,” Pletcher said of the buzz, “but I am sure people would come out to see him, see if he could make some headlines.”

Pletcher has not yet picked a race for The Green Monkey.

Source: Albany Times Union July 18, 2007

[Glimmerglass]

Maybe, maybe not … although Todd knows that every eye in racing both hardcore and casual fan will be watching that poor horse if he does run.

AP July 24, 2007 The Green Monkey Could Swing Into Action at Saratoga"

The much anticipated debut of the Pletcher-trained The Green Monkey – purchased as a 2-year-old last year for a record $16 million – could come sometime after Aug. 13.

“I’m sure there will be more stories written about him running first time out then any other maiden I’ve been around,” says Pletcher. “We’ll try to put him in the best position to run well his first time out.”

Pletcher says Saratoga is a mixed blessing for him.

“I look forward to it,” he said, “and I look forward to it being over as well.”

[Texarkana]

I wouldn’t want to be in Todd Pletcher’s shoes trying to pick a race for the Green Monkey, that’s for sure! It’s not like he can drop him into a cheap 'n easy maiden claiming race to get some mileage and confidence in him, which you could do with just about any other “dud” who didn’t cost his owners $16 million.

[Glimmerglass]

So who is going wear this shirt to Saratoga? I just don’t suggest asking Todd to sign it

[Glimmerglass]

As, onthefarm, directed to this news update from July 12, 2007:

Also working at Belmont for Pletcher was The Green Monkey, who went five furlongs in 1:00.62, breezing. Pletcher said “it will be close” whether the $16-million colt will run by the end of the Saratoga meet.

Again: here is the aforenamed The Green Monkey sand trap in Barbados

[solargal]

First the shirt is great.:lol:

Secondly, get on with it Pletcher. You’ve worked him 4 5/8’s all ready. If you don’t want to run him at the spa, take him to an easier track and run him MSW there.

If the owners want the horse to run(which obviously they do) run him, or tell them to send him to another trainer to run him. This is getting ridiculous. Take him to River Downs.

[Glimmerglass]

He officially worked out yet again on Saturday at his base of Belmont Park

I still wonder if he’s obtained a passing grade for entering the gate.

The Green Monkey

Date: August 18, 2007
Track: BELMONT PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 59:98 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt training
Rank: 3/13

source: equibase.com

[pinkdiamondracing]

LOL @ Green Monkey At River Downs

OMG!! :lol::lol: How funny (pathetic) would it be if that ended up being where TGM was destined to run?? It sure would boost the attendance at the Riveria-- bet lots of people would come out to see the 16 million dollar mistake

[Glimmerglass]

This thread title looks to be right - good for yet another year

Times Union (8-16) “Pletcher’s options are open and shut”

No Green Monkey

It looks like it will be another Saratoga summer without The Green Monkey. The intriguing 3-year-old, who was bought for a record $16 million last year, has yet to run.

Pletcher had hoped he would have a race for him by the end of the Spa meet, but it appears that is not going to happen.

The Green Monkey is at Belmont Park and in training.

“I don’t think we’ll see him unless a race comes up in the last week,” Pletcher said.

He said the colt has not had any major setbacks but is not ready to run.

When asked if The Green Monkey would ever make it to the races, Pletcher nodded.

“Oh yeah, he will,” he said. “He’ll run at Belmont.”

[Glimmerglass]

From the UK’s Independent regardin Magnier’s terrific “Myboycharlie”

Even Magnier can get horses wrong, of course, and it is difficult to imagine how his partnership’s decision to spend a record $16 million (£8m) on a Forestry colt at the breeze-up sales in Florida 18 months ago can now pay any kind of dividend.

Christened The Green Monkey, the hapless creature is still unraced – but there are finally signs of life. He worked five furlongs from the gate at Belmont on Saturday morning, in the third fastest time of the day. Todd Pletcher, his trainer, seems unlikely to give him a debut before the end of the big meeting at Saratoga, but the autumn meeting at Belmont now beckons. Magnier will soon learn what, if anything, can be salvaged from his investment. In the case of My-boycharlie, however, he seems guaranteed an instant dividend

[Texarkana]

“I don’t think we’ll see him unless a race comes up in the last week,” Pletcher said.

What exactly Pletcher expecting to “come up” at this point?

Maybe he’s twisting someone’s arm into writing:

Maiden Special Weight- For thoroughbred three year old non-starters who were purchased for over $10 million- 220 yards on the the dirt

[Zephyr]

[QUOTE=Texarkana;2637120]
What exactly Pletcher expecting to “come up” at this point?

Maybe he’s twisting someone’s arm into writing:

Maiden Special Weight- For thoroughbred three year old non-starters who were purchased for over $10 million- 220 yards on the the dirt[/QUOTE]

:lol:

It’s not like the condition book hasn’t been out for a while.

[NMK]

Maybe he’ll head for the opening debut of Presque Isle. I’d bet they’d write one in for him there.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Gee, seems like just over a year ago I started this thread with close to the same headline…

The Green Monkey won’t start at Saratoga (yet again)…

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=40421

I still think he’s an eye-catching colt at least :lol:

[ravenclaw]

[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;2643929]
Gee, seems like just over a year ago I started this thread with close to the same headline…

The Green Monkey won’t start at Saratoga (yet again)…

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=40421

I still think he’s an eye-catching colt at least :lol:[/QUOTE]
Same sh*t, different year.

He IS a pretty horse. Maybe he wants to be a hunter or eventer instead of a racehorse.

[Glimmerglass]

On Saturday - far away from the noise of Saratoga - The Green Monkey finally got his fastest at the distance award

Date: September 1, 2007
Track: BELMONT PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.00:10 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 1/9

Source: Equibase.com

I’m reminded of Cake’s Going The Distance more and more …

No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine,
Hes haunted by something he cannot define.
Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse,
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force.
In his mind, hes still driving,still making the grade.
Shes hoping in time that her memories will fade.
Cause hes racing and pacing and plotting the course,
Hes fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
And long ago somebody left with the cup.
But hes striving and driving and hugging the turns.
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns

[Iride]

@Glimmerglass;2662849

Cake’s Going The Distance more and more …

No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine,
Hes haunted by something he cannot define.
Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse,
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force.
In his mind, hes still driving,still making the grade.
Shes hoping in time that her memories will fade.
Cause hes racing and pacing and plotting the course,
Hes fighting and biting and riding on his horse.
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,
And long ago somebody left with the cup.
But hes striving and driving and hugging the turns.
And thinking of someone for whom he still burns

Wow, I found that poem/lyrics to be very moving. It brings to mind so many horses - always trying, not necessarily meeting ‘our’ expectations.
Thanks for posting.

[Glimmerglass]

Iride, I take no credit for the lyrics whatsoever and I thought a lot of people equated that well-known song to horse racing already Its been used in a lot of personal videos as the backdrop music.

Live performance (09/08/06) of “Going the Distance” by Cake in their native San Fran

They did a great show last year here in Chicago at one of the neighborhood street festivals.

[Iride]

Glimmerglass - that’s it - I’m officially old and out of the loop!! :winkgrin: