Giant Oak Thread

[Giant Oak]

OK...

After seeing that there were 200 threads devoted to Rachel...
And now 300 threads devoted to Zenyatta...
And even a thread devoted to the poor guy that finished last in the BCC (Quality Who?)...
And a thread devoted to the poor girl that ran (walked) in the Ladies' Classic against her will...

WELCOME TO THE GIANT OAK THREAD! I mean, why not? I may not win many races, but I'm lots of fun, and can take a joke (Giant Slug?). Besides, Giant Oak Nation needs somewhere to gather and exchange information (and cheer for me!)

So here's the first bit of information (from yesterday's brisnet.com):

Block is keeping a small string of horses at Churchill Downs and one who is staying here is GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway), who was placed fourth in Friday's Breeders' Cup Marathon (G3).

"He is going to go the track tomorrow morning to train," Coontz said. "I am not sure what their plans are for him."

Giant Oak, the favorite in the Marathon, ran fourth to Blame in last year's Clark.

Yeah, so Blame beat me last year. My question is...why is he being mysteriously rushed into retirement rather than face me again in the Clark??

Giant Oak Nation...discuss!

[charismatic143]

First of all why was he the favorite for the BC? He had lost all 8 starts this year, hardly even should have been in the race.

[second_glance]

"I am not sure what their plans are for him."

This seems to be an ongoing theme, doesn't it?

[Giant Oak]

First of all why was he the favorite for the BC? He had lost all 8 starts this year, hardly even should have been in the race.

Hey, hold on a minute. One more DQ and I would have finished in the money!

[Dave in TJMex]

This seems to be an ongoing theme, doesn't it?

Yup.

His connections are still trying to figure him out.

Hope he runs in the Clark. There likely won't be much there to beat. Giant Oak can at least pick up another in-the-money check.

[Dave in TJMex]

First of all why was he the favorite for the BC? He had lost all 8 starts this year, hardly even should have been in the race.

Because (1) people have at least heard of him, as opposed to all the other no-names in the Marathon; (2) because people have no clue how to handicap a 1 3/4 mile race, because American horses so rarely run at that distance; (3) at least Giant Oak had the highest last race Beyer speed figure going into the Marathon; and (4) the casual fans attending the BC don't know him like the folks on TBC, who know that Giant Oak would always prefer to "stay with his friends" (that is, run third or fourth) than be an "alpha horse" and win.

[islandgirl45]

Because (1) people have at least heard of him, as opposed to all the other no-names in the Marathon; (2) because people have no clue how to handicap a 1 3/4 mile race, because American horses so rarely run at that distance; (3) at least Giant Oak had the highest last race Beyer speed figure going into the Marathon; and (4) the casual fans attending the BC don't know him like the folks on TBC, who know that Giant Oak would always prefer to "stay with his friends" (that is, run third or fourth) than be an "alpha horse" and win.

Sounds like he'd get along great with First Dude.

[Dave in TJMex]

OK...

After seeing that there were 200 threads devoted to Rachel...
And now 300 threads devoted to Zenyatta...
And even a thread devoted to the poor guy that finished last in the BCC (Quality Who?)...
And a thread devoted to the poor girl that ran (walked) in the Ladies' Classic against her will...

WELCOME TO THE GIANT OAK THREAD! I mean, why not? I may not win many races, but I'm lots of fun, and can take a joke (Giant Slug?). Besides, Giant Oak Nation needs somewhere to gather and exchange information (and cheer for me!)

So here's the first bit of information (from yesterday's brisnet.com):

Block is keeping a small string of horses at Churchill Downs and one who is staying here is GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway), who was placed fourth in Friday's Breeders' Cup Marathon (G3).

"He is going to go the track tomorrow morning to train," Coontz said. "I am not sure what their plans are for him."

Giant Oak, the favorite in the Marathon, ran fourth to Blame in last year's Clark.

Yeah, so Blame beat me last year. My question is...why is he being mysteriously rushed into retirement rather than face me again in the Clark??

Giant Oak Nation...discuss!

Its about time you had your own, stand-alone thread, Giant Oak.

I don't trust Victoria, though.

Twice in recent weeks she has manufactured some phony internet overload problem just to try and get rid of the Giant Oak threads. She may do it again, now that your thread is up.

Sooner or later all the other "Z versus Blame versue Goldikova for HOY" and "Z, we miss you, come back" threads will wind themselves down, and other than Uncle Mo, people on this Board will have nothing to look forward to --- or write about --- other than you, mighty Oakster!

[Dave in TJMex]

Sounds like he'd get along great with First Dude.

Probably so.

Although unfortunately, the horse Giant Oak is most compared with is Mr. Hot Stuff, another chronic underachiever.

Maybe we should threaten to turn Giant Oak into a "jumper," like Mr. Hot Stuff apparently became, to motivate him.

[gravano]

I think he compares well to Mr. Hot Stuff who is from Hollywood and looks like a movie star. Giant Oak is from Chicago and looks sort of like a fierce dairy cow.

[Vic in Chicago]

Sooner or later all the other "Z versus Blame versue Goldikova for HOY" and "Z, we miss you, come back" threads will wind themselves down, and other than Uncle Mo, people on this Board will have nothing to look forward to --- or write about --- other than you, mighty Oakster!

Speaking for myself, I can't wait for next year's BCC, under the lights at CD.

I can hear Trevor Denman's call now...

"AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!! IT'S UNCLE MO, NO IT'S GIANT OAK, UNCLE MO, GIANT OAK, AND AS THEY CROSS THE LINE THE WINNER IS..."

[second_glance]

I think he compares well to Mr. Hot Stuff who is from Hollywood and looks like a movie star. Giant Oak is from Chicago and looks sort of like a fierce dairy cow.

Good thing I've ordered a new keyboard.

[Giant Oak]

I think he compares well to Mr. Hot Stuff who is from Hollywood and looks like a movie star. Giant Oak is from Chicago and looks sort of like a fierce dairy cow.

Hi Gravano!!

I was meaning to ask you...could you please re-post the portrait you did of me a few weeks back (seriously). It got lost in one of TBC's "crashes", and with your permission, I'd like to use it for my avatar.

Thanks!

[gravano]

I'd be honored.

[Giant Oak]

I'd be honored.

Thank you very much!!

(I really am a handsome guy, aren't I?)

[islandgirl45]

I think he compares well to Mr. Hot Stuff who is from Hollywood and looks like a movie star. Giant Oak is from Chicago and looks sort of like a fierce dairy cow.

Oh, that visual!

[Curlin]

(I really am a handsome guy, aren't I?)

With those looks, you should be popular in the breeding shed, Giant Oak. In fact, I think you should be retired, since you have nothing left to prove.

Oh and it's painfully obvious that Blame was retired to avoid meeting up with you next year.

[Giant Oak]

Attention: Giant Oak Nation

I have now been officially nominated for the Clark Handicap.

And, the way I feel and have been working out, I think I'm sitting on a BIG ONE!

Your friend (still in Louisville),

Giant Oak

[BARNFOUR]

Oak,you love to blow your own horn.........just sayin'

[Dave in TJMex]

Oakster, Giant Oak Nation eagerly awaits your appearance in the Clark Handicap on Thanksgiving Friday!

Just a reminder, Giant Oak, this is likely your last chance to win a race in 2010!