Point of No Entry?

Now is clearly not the time to say one iota that could be perceived as a negative against trainer, Shug McGaughey. Nor is it the best moment to question the actions of the great Phipps Stable, but what if I repent by saying ten “Hail Orb’s”? 

What is going on with Point of Entry?

This is a horse that I call one of the best American turf horses that I’ve seen in the last decade. His win in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, in which he stormed right by the soon to be Dubai World Cup Champion, Animal Kingdom, like he was late for dinner, can only be described as awesome. I was left wanting and needing more. I’m still waiting.

His late defection from the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic was disappointing to say the least. Another word would be poor form. 

It was hailed by people, such as myself, as a good old fashioned showdown. Wise Dan vs. Point of Entry on Kentucky Derby Day was to be as good as it gets these days on American turf. It was something we don’t see enough in racing anymore. And don’t even get me started about how the bettors felt about Point of Entry being scratched after all the multi-race wagers had started. 

So he scratched. Too much rain. 

I’m not sure I understand. Didn’t Point of Entry run a big race in the boggish conditions of last fall’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic? That was a turf course in worse condition than what we saw at Churchill Downs. 

Oh, where for art thou, Sportmanship?

So now we have one of the best horses in America, coming off the best race of his life, and he hasn’t run in what? Three months? And counting?

It would seem Pimlico’s Dixie Stakes would fit the bill. I mean Point of Entry is healthy and has to be sitting on ready. I asked Shug how the big turf horse was doing the day before the Woodford Reserve, and with a hardboot smile, Shug responded, “He’s doing great.” Run on Preakness Day, I happen to know that Point of Entry’s connections will be there for the Dixie. But no, they say we will have to wait yet another month for the reappearance of Point of Entry in the Manhattan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day.

I’ll say it again … the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap was Point of Entry’s best run of his life … and now we have to wait four full months for his encore to that performance?

Frankly, I’m a little worried about whether or not we will see Point of Entry in this year’s Arlington Million, after all, that big race comes only ten weeks after the Manhattan. And what if it rains on Belmont Day?