Bob Ehardt and Tom Pedulla met on their first day of faculty at Fordham Preparatory College within the Bronx, New York, in 1970 and have become quick associates. Shortly after, Bob launched Tom to Thoroughbred racing.
They skilled robust moments on the observe, however Tom was an exception when one in all their horses started a full-on stretch drive and Bob repeatedly patted Tom on the again in this system. To Tom’s chagrin and onlookers’ amusement, Bob is understood to have known as for safety whereas cashing out his $27 trifecta. Collectively they personal many gradual horses and are sometimes seen working across the racetrack as in the event that they have not outgrown their teenage years.
Here is their tackle the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic.
Pedula: Bob, I selected Eternally Younger final yr and now I really feel even higher about him. Though he narrowly missed out on third place within the Kentucky Derby, he proved himself on the worldwide stage by profitable the Saudi Cup and ending third on the Dubai World Cup. We each know I am hard-headed, and this can be the most recent instance of that, however I see him as the most effective of the most effective in a robust classical subject, even along with his Sovereignty scar. I’ve very robust emotions about Eternally Younger, so he was my selection even earlier than Sovereignty was dominated out.
Actually: Sovereignty’s scars took a few of the luster away from Basic, nevertheless it did not change my choose. Bear in mind within the late Nineteen Seventies, if you had been cruising Riverdale like a rock star after the Ziggy Stardust interval? It turned out that an excellent 3-year-old horse could not beat an excellent older horse. Affirmed could not beat Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid could not beat Affirmed. The identical applies to horses over 3 years of age, that are fairly good. I am going with the older technology. It is actually a coin toss to resolve the winner, and you recognize me. Since it’s a values rule, the jockey will experience from begin to end and problem Thoughts Body, who’s undefeated this yr. He’s the most effective priced participant I’ve chosen and could be very able to profitable. Few have extra high quality horses prepared for an enormous effort coming off a layoff than Todd Pletcher.
Pedula: We all know how extremely troublesome it’s to repeat in classics. Tiznow was the one one to do it in 2000 and 2001, and earlier than we each went grey. Now that we’re older and far wiser, we are saying so, however we do not see defending champion Sierra Leone pulling Tiznow. Even when coach Chad Brown pulls a rabbit out of a hat.
Actually: Rabbit or not, Sierra Leone can have an enormous struggle right here. He confirmed he liked this observe final yr, however an accident within the Jockey Membership Gold Cup price him all possibilities. I think about this a replay of the Stephen Foster Stakes, which Thoughts Body-Sierra Leone ran 1-2.
Pedula: Bob, I feel we will agree that Fierceness is likely one of the most unpredictable horses of our lengthy profession. In 2023, he completed seventh within the Champagne Stakes and received the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. 15-year-old ran away from Florida Derbyth on the 2024 Kentucky Derby. He completed fifth within the Whitney Stakes and received the Pacific Basic Stakes in his most up-to-date begin. That inconsistency makes it unattainable for me to select him greater than No. 3.
Actually: Fierceness typically wins races, which does not shock me. He is a really good individual. I imagine he will face a number of strain early on and that might damage him ultimately.
Pedula: Thoughts Body would have felt higher if he hadn’t misplaced a jockey within the Jockey Membership Gold Cup. Positive, he was working round like the opposite athletes, however you possibly can’t name it a race. Meaning his final actual race was June 28, when he received the Grade 1 Stephen Foster. Contemplating this case, I’d rank journalism in fourth place. I actually respect his connection to journalism. They competed in all three Triple Crown races and did not hesitate to check him towards older horses within the Pacific Basic, the place he completed second to Fierceness. And it is at all times a good suggestion to present new pilot Jose Ortiz the sting.
Actually: I often have a number of respect for Japanese runners, however I am cautious of the Eternally Younger marketing campaign. There have been a number of questions on his efficiency this summer time, however he was third ultimately yr’s Basic. I can see him slipping to fourth place this yr.
