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Subject: Sim Sports Week 1138
Posted by: Madman
- [29246911] Sun, Aug 26, 23:07
Whoa. Entering races this week was unbelievable (I like to get it out of the way in the weekend. This frees my Monday and Tuesday up so that it's totally sim-free. A feature I really like about this game. It doesn't require a daily commitment. In fact, I don't HAVE to re-visit the sim until next Sunday. Although I WILL after Wednesday to try to find claimers and betting ops).
At any rate, I had 20 horses this week come up sharp. And I entered them all. Took 90 unbelievable minutes.
I say unbelievable, because I found something that I want to make sure everyone is aware of -- this Bidding process is changing the sim.
Consider race 4614. A 5 year ONLY low-tag starter allowance race. I was salivating :)
Consider race 0213. $52,300 5f sprint for 5 year olds only. A perfect race for Rakida's Plug return from injury!
Consider race 3315. Someone got impatient with turf routes, and carded a very restrictive CPU allowance race. Perfect for Agriculture Bomber.
Some of these bids are really changing the sim. Consider Manni Loves Ascot I and Manni Loves Ascot II. This happened with Ireland last week. One of these days, a track resident is going to start getting the bright idea that he/she can promote his/her track by bidding for lots of track-restricted races. For about 75 cents a week, he/she could card 3 track restricted races a week. If someone starts to do this, you ought to take advantage and locate relevant horses there.
More importantly, the value of 5+ year old horses has just risen substantially. If you have older horses running, you should give serious consideration to some of these races restricted to very aged runners. Previously, you were basically stuck with CPU restricted races. Now, you have the age restrictions to work with, as well.
At any rate, to sum up, bidding can have a significant influence on strategy, even if you don't do it. I think it's premature to say whether or not this will be good or bad for the sim. But it most definitely will be different. Not only will these very restricted races pop up, but the competition in the open races that are left for everyone else will necessarily get tougher. Consider yourself warned. Horses without niches are horses you don't want in your barns.
Last week, I think I suffered a bit as a result of not having as many restricted race entries as I needed. This week, I found several great niches. Thus, for me personally, I can't tell whether or not I've benefitted from this bidding process or not. Only time will tell, I suppose.
But this week, with 20 nags going, I could see 5 or 6 winners, easy, and 14 or 15 ITM. Plus, a lot of the races have adequate purses. Going to be a fun Saturday!
Hope this turns out to be true, and hope your race carding goes as well as I think mine did!
And remember -- be sure to check ALL your options. Just because you planned to run a turf sprint, check out all your horse's options. Because if you find one of these extremely restricted bid races that your horse qualifies for, even if it isn't part of the plan, I'd recommend that you go for it.
Good luck, and on Wednesday we'll see whether I have a point or am just blowing hot air. |
| 1 | Toral
Sustainer
ID: 30733246
Mon, Aug 27, 10:23
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Thanx for the tip. It has helped me with Gold River #27407. I was planning on sending him to a rather unattractive starter allowance; but I found a promising looking NW1X Alw for 6+ horses only, at the right distance -- worth a try, depending on who shows up. I would also note that players aren't paying attention to the conditions of these odd races when signing up. There's already a few 4-year olds entered in the above race, as well as one dominant horse who already has a MCOS win. So if you're assessing the quality of the field for one of these older-only races before deciding whether to enter, make sure you get scared off (if you do) by eligible horses only.
Toral
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| 2 | Madman
ID: 29246911
Mon, Aug 27, 11:47
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Cool, Toral.
One more thing that I should note is that the computer cheats when carding CPU horses for these events. Basically, a computer horse do NOT have to meet the age and eligibility restrictions of the race. This probably doesn't matter for 5 year only, or even 6 year old only races. But for the grandpa races that are very restrictive, be aware that fresh 4 year old colts may be your competition if 4 owner-owned horses don't show up.
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BTW, I'm running Jericho Velvet for the third time in 4 consecutive weeks. I'm putting him at 97% effort. Another good use of that feature? But he's sharp and there a good race for him. I'll scratch before Wed. if a stud shows up, however.
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| 3 | Madman
ID: 29246911
Mon, Aug 27, 17:19
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I just found out some good news.
You guys root for the "Jersey Gorilla Farmers" in the ASR Team Trophy race. Reason? I'm on the team, and the prize is two sponsored races per contestant. Right now we're 9 points in the lead, but there's a long way to go -- including some races that are blind luck.
At any rate, IFFF we win, I'll use my two races to card "Gurupie Only" Stakes or whatever we decide would be fairest and best.
So root for the Gorilla Farmers!
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| 4 | StLCards
Sustainer
ID: 2504849
Mon, Aug 27, 18:25
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Would a supply of bananas help? Go Gorilla Farmers!
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| 5 | Madman
ID: 29246911
Wed, Aug 29, 19:21
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Me like bananas :)
We have a great runner going this week -- Mellow Attack . . . can't remember the track number, but it should be on the Team Trophy link off the ASR Home page.
_________________
Overall, my 20 runners are in deep trouble this week. Not sure what happened. I entered Agri. Bomber in 6005 before 3315. Major oops.
All in all, there's a CHANCE I could be OK. Lots of horses that are at long odds and experiments. But some horses -- Brown Bro in 4507 and Rakida's Plug in 0213 and a few others have serious contenders in their races.
I do have one lock to win -- Sal at the Bell. He's at 6/5 odds coming from the #4 slot in 0106. I can't see him losing. But, as always with maidens, this isn't a lock.
If you want another option, try Jericho Velvet in 6207, #13 at 7/1. Worried about 3 races in 4 weeks, however.
Oh well. We shall see! This is why they run the races. And the good news in weeks like this is that I'm pushing my horses so I'll get a much better feel for what they are capable of. If you never put your horse in a position to be stretched out, you'll never know what he or she is made out of. And sometimes it's more important to know those limits than to be uncertain. . .
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| 6 | cab
Donor
ID: 33726275
Wed, Aug 29, 20:23
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Possibly another thing to look out for is if you are pointing a horse at a race 3 or4 weeks in advance(say 1152 or 1159 at this point), someone may change the conditions on you when bidding opens for that week...
16 runners going round this week for me...A few that are reasonably well favoured are
Bee stacking(0102)7/1 in a pretty open race...The fav is at 4/1 and there are a number at 6/1,7/1,8/1...I was a wee bit worried about drawing into this race...There were a heap of maidens entered by new players(18 or so out of 20 odd entries at one point i counted) but thankfully he made it..
Yankee(4805)9/1.. Is in a cpu restricted race on turf at 7 furlongs...another very open race..
Paunchi's horses(4613) at 5/1 in a msw...
Cherokee judge(2004),my 2yo is in a 9f race...She's at 28/1 but i just may put a lazy thousand or two on her ..:)
They are probably the better chances i have at getting a win...Some of the others may have ITM chances,the fingers are crossed anyway...
Good luck in that Trophy race Madman!...and good luck to all runners this week..
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| 7 | Madman
ID: 29246911
Thu, Aug 30, 00:13
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I should point out that the Trophy series doesn't end until something like December. So we have a LONG, LONG way to go. However, we have survived the first three races -- which we predicted to be three of our WEAKER races. In fact, we didn't even have a potential runner in last week's 6f starter sprint -- that's actually why I claimed Jericho Velvet :)
And this week's entry -- Mellow Attack just came out of no-where to be what I consider a co-favorite. But given the point scoring system here, all it would take is a single thrown iron and our chances to win overall would be severely hit.
But, on the other hand, we've got some quality horses in some of the races coming up.
Only time will tell. But it would be cool to have a couple of Gurupie races.
I'll probably plop down a few races whenever I get a real job, anyway. Of course, I have no idea when that will be :(.
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| 8 | Toral
Sustainer
ID: 447461620
Thu, Aug 30, 07:57
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Good luck Gorilla Farmers. I'd love to see some Gurupie races. I have some ideas already. The Sickening Disappointment stakes for older horses who have raced at least 8 times without an ITM finish. Alywagon will show up :)
The Multicomplex has 12 horses in this week. I almost like their chances better as their odds get worse.
The aforesaid Alywagon is a 2-1 co-favourite in 3202 a $5K MC at 14 furlongs. Why he's favoured is unclear since he's never gone anything like 14 furlongs and nobody, least of all me, has any idea how he'll do at that distance. Well, he's favoured because he's run 2 69s, but he's a false favourite.
Chief Tom is co-favourite among 3 7-1 horses in 2606, a CPU $155K allowance. Another false favourite because he's never done anything except in the slop. Former madman runner Kentucky Project is in this one.
2 entries in 0715, the $26K NW1X allowance for 6+ horses. Napkin Kicking, the better horse, is at 8-1; Gold River is at 6-1. I will instruct Gold River to stalk, and may instruct Napkin to take the lead, although I haven't decided that yet.
Jose's Terms steps back up in class a bit after a good showing last time and goes off at 7-1 in 0703, also in Illinois, a $10K maiden claimer at 8.5f.
Sky Starring goes off on her first effort for toral6 in 0807, a $15K claimer for non-winners of 3 at 6 furlongs. She's 10-1 under Prescott, and has pretty well as good a chance as any, I figure.
That's the first half of your Toral card for this week.
Toral
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| 9 | StLCards
Sustainer
ID: 2504849
Fri, Aug 31, 11:05
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posted in the sim message forum (for those of you who have a spare $75K):
Get your claims in on these two three year olds (Biagi Desert and Avie Vigoda). Biagi Desert has been a monster off track runner, and Avie Vigoda has shown much promise. I'm leaving the game due to lack of time, and thought that putting these in a claimer would be fairer to all players than placing them in the auction. Good luck!
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| 10 | StLCards
Sustainer
ID: 2504849
Fri, Aug 31, 11:27
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At what point do new horses get added to the SIM? I've been kicking around the idea of getting that 4th stable, (just what I need), but it seems the horse selection is incredibly, ridiculously, depleted. It's hard to find any horse in there!
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| 11 | Toral
Sustainer
ID: 30733246
Fri, Aug 31, 19:12
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StL Cards I can't answer your question but I sympathize. I've been urging some folks to try the sim but I've pulled back because the horses are so picked over and they could have a bad experience. No stated timetable for horse freshening but creator has stated that it's the most time-consuming part of the game, and getting married, he may have other things on his mind...
When new horses are created I propose to go on the other message boards and let gurupies know that this would be a good time to join. The best 3-year-olds were gone over 8 months ago from this lot....
Toral
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| 12 | biliruben
Sustainer
ID: 3502218
Fri, Aug 31, 19:24
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I knew there was a good reason why I hadn't started messing with sim horses!
;)
I was starting to feel sooooo 90s.
Let me know when the pickin's are juicy, and I will debate whether or not to waste more of my already depleted time.
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| 13 | StLCards
ID: 417433018
Sat, Sep 01, 11:56
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I need to send all my nags to the glue factory! Not a good week to say the least.
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| 14 | cab
Donor
ID: 33726275
Sat, Sep 01, 16:20
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I know the feeling Stl...I sit back,look at the results and wonder why i ever picked up some of the nags i've got!!...2 wins and a second out of 16 starters is just not too great at all..Did have a few personal bests tho..;) (which means didley squat!)
I did get 2 more maiden wins from my original 15 drafted horses which is something i guess..
Paunchi's horse's improved in leaps and bounds from his first start to get a 100sp in his win(7.5f,dirt)..pretty happy with that..
Finally,Girlfriend parking broke through for a win!!...
Jay theatre seemed to like the change of surface and went 80sp on turf(his previous best was a pretty dismal 65sp on dirt) to grab second in his race..Maybe an experimental claim that has worked??,or just a fluke??...we shall see i guess...
Other than that, lots of 4ths, 5ths and 6ths...good enough for a few bp's but not very encouraging...
Bee stacking was my real disappointment...was hoping he would step up again after his good start to his racing career...time for some experimenting with him now too..
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| 15 | cab
Donor
ID: 33726275
Sat, Sep 01, 17:36
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This sire searcher was posted on iagos message board....It may help in your search for breeding your youngsters!...I haven't checked it out properly yet(I am too tired and am gonna go to bed now!)....
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| 16 | StLCards
Sustainer
ID: 417433018
Sun, Sep 02, 02:22
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Congrats on the 100SP this week Cab. I'm still searching for a 100SP horse in any of my stables.
I guess things weren't all bad this week. One problem was that I didn't select any jocks this week and got some bad ones. Also did some experimeting that should help in the future.
Erica Bark ran a 77SP and finished well back. I stretched her out to 9f after back to back wins at 8.5f (87SP) and 8f (83SP). Guess I found her range on dirt anyway. Still need to try her on turf as suggested by Iago.
Although French Iron didn't run this week I was just looking at his stats and they are a bit puzzling. In the last 5 races he has ran a 67,65,69,68,68 the odd part is those races were at 5.5f, 7.5f, 9.f dirt, and 8.5f and 10f turf. If the 68 holds I guess I need to go way out to 16f to win.
Neatly Impregnate bombed her 3d race in a row. 2 turf trys and 1 dirt race all unimpressive. Will try a turf sprint next and then either to claimers, hold her till next year and breed her, or sell her at auction. The line is Bold Ivor and Marscay so I'm not sure if she would bring much at auction or not.
Mass Point came in way back in a $2K claimer running a 70SP and nobody put in a claim. Guess I'm stuck with him for now. The horse hase 4 wins, but seems to be uninspired now.
Picked up Stolen Boundary in a $2K claimer. Not sure why really, but he won the race against Mass Point. Maybe I'll sign them up together next time out.
Dusty Colony, 3yo colt, ran his best race yet. A 7.5f MSW dirt sprint where he ran a 91SP and came in 4th.
Retired Dan, 2yo, just missed the win by 1/4 length, in a 4 horse 7.5f dirt sprint running a 56SP.
Sally Plow was probably my biggest dissapointment yet, and I'm open for suggestions on what to do with her now. I had high hopes for a turf runner. Majestic Light x Caerleon x Blade, 5yo mare. Ran an 8.5 turf race, her 1st race, an 8/5 favorite, was RTG, 98% effort, and options set from the back, and the jock had only 2 yrs experience and was ranked about 12th. She ran a 50SP and finished way back. She has come back Sharp this week which is what I was hoping. She obviously tanked it last week. The big question for me now is whether to instantly try dirt this week or play with turf for awhile and give it a fair shake..
Her Atoms, a 2yo colt was once again unimpressive (47SP, best time yet and came in 7th)and has to be sent back to claimers or maybe eliminated for breeding.
Forty Six Champ, 3yo colt, got a turf try and hated it big time. Will save this horse for an OT 8f race as that is where it has done the best so far.
BOL next week to all. I have a few bright spots and hope to fair a bit better, although not much.
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| 17 | JKaye.
ID: 37483113
Sun, Sep 02, 14:01
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Hey guys. Due to outside reasons, week 1138 was pretty much idle for me. I'll be back for 1145. Sadly, my 7yo Mr. ProspectorxVerbatim in sunday89 is STILL "lay off!" for about the 5th week.
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| 18 | Toral
Sustainer
ID: 447461620
Sun, Sep 02, 14:27
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'Twas a poor week for me. It started out looking real bad. 2-year-old claim pickup Granny Becky ran a 20 when I picked her up; I figured she was still injured. I got her back to RTG; she ran a 39. Ouch. To dirt for her.
A 1-2-1 week in 12 starts. The oddsmakers were right: Alywagon finally won. He may have a future in starters now at 14 or 16 furlongs. When checking my auctioned horse Judge Gilded (he drew all of $501; thank you very much) I saw that madman's rotciv picked up a cheap horse that had just won a long MC. Both horses are down south right now, so I expect they may be running against each other sometime soon.
Eight Arc #24149 came back from a long injury to run a nice 2d in a turf MSW, being nipped at the wire. He will win soon. Jose's Terms ran 2nd in his $10K MC. Looks like he will win soon in a 5-10K type mile, which is better than I had hoped a while ago. And Napkin Kicking tired but held on for third in a NW1X allowance.
My stables are now full with the acquisition of 2-year old Biter Don 41742 for toral farms. I have hopes for 2 2-year olds, Deposit Burn and Down in the Drill, acquired by toral6 last week. They are both winners, so I will get some experience entering horses in non-maiden 2-year-old events -- something my homebreds don't look like they will be giving me!
Toral
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| 19 | cab
Donor
ID: 9814111
Sun, Sep 02, 16:47
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Stl...Fwiw,I think giving her another turf try is the way to go-if there is one available-just to see what she can really do now that she is sharp...The fact she was favourite in her first start would be a good sign i would think?(i never looked at the rest of the field,mind you)..Obviously the cpu liked something about her..
I hate it when plans don't come together like they're meant to!lol..Bingo come up sharp a week before he is meant to....Have a couple who ran this week come up sharp again too...Don't know what this implies..Maybe they just aren't trying?..Anyhow got 8 sharp horses this week...
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