Listen, this has to be a discussion of how he looked training down all winter -- if you had the opportunity to see him -- and it has nothing to do with being on the GOAT list. Come on, unless he doesn't come back at all, why go into the GOAT discussion. He hasn't done anywhere near enough to enter into that discussion. Absent the internet and armchair trainers here, I saw him train over the winter a few times, when they brought him to the Meadowlands, and more, his qualifier. He looked good, very good! I am in the bet against camp, but he still looked very good, LOL.
I have no idea how many starts they planned on before the Hambo, but the calendar does seem like they are early to the party. I wouldn't question Takter on this. By design or little to no choice, who knows. But next time you see either Jimmy or Nancy----ask them. I am sure some reporter will.