Upon hearing the news that Bob Baffert was planning to stay on the west coast to run Congaree in the San Antonio Handicap (g.1) Frankel responded with anger "Ive told you guys a million times they will duck Medaglia. Why do you think they planned to go to the Donn in the first place"

The issue came up last week when Baffert said 112 would be to much weight for Congaree to run under in Feb. Frankel immeadiately changed his plans for Medaglia d' Oro which included shipping him out east to face Congaree in the Donn Handicap (G1)

"Well we figured they would run east to avoid us, but we didnt expect them to back out and tuck their tails again. But all is well. At this point we can go fufill our promise and face Funny Cide in the Donn, or if the fans want to see the matchup we can stay here in California and force the race on Baffert."

It doesnt suprise us here that Frankel places so much emphasis on fan approval. He has made his career giving the fans what they want and being gracious to the media both in defeat and the winners circle.

But is Frankel on to something? "If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, its a duck" he chimed.

"Ive never made a habit of running around the country trying to avoid a horse" said Baffert "Im just trying to do whats in the best intrest of our horse"

"Of course he is" Frankel responded this morning "its in his and the horses best intrest to avoid MDO at all costs, i doubt Congaree would make it through the entire year if MDO pushes him around the track again"

Well, the plot keeps thickening and one has to belive at some point it will finally come to an end. Theyll have to face each other at some point. Lets hope its sooner rather then later.

Erwin M Fletch

Affirmed v Alydar, Sunday Silence v Easy Goer...

In perhaps one of the biggest head to head rematches horseracing has seen in decades, horseracing fans are eagerly anticipating a rivalry of epic proportions. Kelso v Gun Bow.... Mere childs play compared to Medaglia d' Oro v Congaree

With the Donn Handicap fastly approaching (Feb7) the battle lines have been drawn and both trainers came out firing Monday night.

"Congaree is an inferior horse" Bobby Frankel said "Baffert ran to the east coast with his horse to avoid us. Our first thought was let them run, but then the only people losing out are the fans. We decided the best option was to follow them east and force the meeting on them"

Frankel is generally a well-reserved individual, quiet and diligent in his profession, which he has taken by storm this year destroying every credible record possible.

This is a stark contrast to the flashy Bob Baffert. Always one to let his opinions be heard Baffert fired back upon hearing Frankels comments "Frankel is delusional. We are going to the Donn because Congaree would have had too carry to much weight back west. Im sorry but I love Congaree too much to let him be highweighted at 112 this early in the year. If we let him run under 112 in Feb he could be carrying 119 by years end, and thats not acceptable."

When asked about how they will match up Baffert said, "Well ideally I would like the matchup to be a much more fair distance. What Frankel won’t tell you is we offered a match race in December but he declined. He claimed the distance was ridiculous but, come on, versatility is what defines a horse and we thought a 3 furlong sprint would really be the ultimate test."

When asked this morning about the match race proposed Frankel erupted "The mans a loon. The man should enter his horse in quarter horse races and quit wasting my time."

What is clear is that this race means alot to all involved. Even the recluse and trainer of last years Kentucky Derby winner (Tagg) chimed in on behalf of his horse "Im tired of hearing those two whine, we will come in and crush them both as long as the temperature doesn’t go above 35 degrees. Funny has respiratory issues. Hot weather makes him rank, and weve determined that 35 degrees is our cut-off. And of course we have to have a bottom temp and thats 25 degrees. So the other trainers need be worried if they fit our 10 degree window of opportunity"

Taggs comments were laughed off by most insiders, and one prominent trainer D.W.Lukas chimed in "I tell you what, if I had a horse that wouldn’t run above 35 degrees id take him out around 3 in the morning with my bull whip and beat the respiratory problem right out of him. You got to let these horses know whos running the show"

What a hectic few days it has been for all involved in this race. What is certain is that Feb7 there is only one place you’ll want to be, Gulfstream Park. Most consider it a two-horse affair, and noted speed figure guru Andrew Beyer called his shot....

"MDO is a superior grade of horse. He represents all that is good in this sport, and he will deliver."

Well only time will tell.

Check back for future updates on the "Race of the Century" coverage.