Belmont/Big Brown Thoughts

[dray33]

Thanks larrygene... I think we agree on a lot more that you think. I think one of the issues we face is that if we don't do something, pretty soon... you wont have to worry about shrinking field size. It will be coming to a theater near you, if ya know what i mean. Were already on the verge of ruining things.

Here's the worst thing. I have given this much thought (which really adds up to about 3 minutes of thought for a true horseman ). Look at these Triple Crown races. Same trainers. The users. You don't see Clement in these races. He gets great stock, lots of two year olds. Kimmel can get the big horse, but not many in the TC. There are guys that won't do what it takes to get these horses into these types of races. But there is another, more sinister side of this: It's been 30 years now. What's changed? Well, I for one think that if you want to get one of TODAYS horses into the Triple Crown, you BETTER shoot them up with steroids, because, buddy, they aint going to the dance without the jet fuel. Period.

We 'roid 'em up as yearlings, press on 'em as two year-olds, and race 'em hard and early, when really, by all accounts and measures, todays trainers don't know how to get them there clean, sound and ready like the old guard used to. Except now, it's no longer hard and early, because they cant withstand THAT anymore. So now a horse races 2, 3 times and struts into the TC races full of juice and whatnot. Whoa. And get this... they go off to the BREEDING SHED after that! Welcome to American breeding 101.

So to your point larrygene, it is an uphill climb. I am willing to climb it, but truthfully, it's not a big deal for me. Eventually I will wither on the vine, just pull out. It's not my livelihood. Bless all the people that derive their existence to our sport, if things don't get better. It's them that I would worry about, not me.

Regardless, best to you, and all.

[FOS]

hi Barbaro06

Or the $50 million value placed on him (Big Brown) to become a stud and sire more like him.

Subsequent to the announcement that Team BB had entered into an agreement with Three Chimneys...I have not heard/read a report/quote that specifically indicated/acknowledged that any rep from either camp had as much as whispered even a word (whether on or off the record) that would indicate a dollar value placed on Big Brown.

All I heard was comments from what seemed to be blithering nincompoops at ESPN (never once referencing sources) talking $50mil...$75mil...$100mil.

It was ridiculous and unfounded then...and without a doubt still is.

Respectfully

[BenB]

Juice is the keyword in American racing nowadays, by breeding with the kinds like BB, racing gets fully dependent on the vet,s.

So to me I take out a break for a while and starts wondering how did american racing ends like this

[going4stamina]

Dray, don't tell my husband, but I think I am in love with you! Just kidding, but you are well-spoken on all the points of this sport that cause people with $$$ and integrity who might think about joining the game, to shy away.

Per the short fields...I think there is a lot of wisdom in thinking that "less is more" in horse racing today. Look at Equibase on any given day--I bet the popularity and profitability of the sport would INCREASE if 30-50 percent of the tracks, especially those not meeting decent standards of customer service, races and fields, safety, track surface, stable and backside help conditions were allowed to wither away or simply shuttered. Less tracks, higher quality, possible days of rest for horses to heal instead of drug 'em and plug 'em in. That is what racing needs.

Further--eliminate or severely change the low level claiming game. Sorry, those on the bottom level might need to change their business plan or change their business. Running half sound old geldings (some past stakes winners!) every 2 weeks until they breakdown or get sent to slaughter is an abomination and that dirty little secret is getting uncovered and giving the whole sport a whopping black eye.

Those of you who cannot see the need for change in this sport are decieving yourself and doing a disservice to the horses, horsepeople with integrity and the sport.

[aethervox]

According to a friend who's a really good astrologer (and who is really good at 'electional' astrology), there won't be another triple crown until they move the post times for the Triple Crown races back to where they were in the 1970s

When Secretariat ran, the Derby was race 9 and post time was 5:37 Eastern time. This year it was race 10 and post time was 6:10 Eastern time. I believe the times were changed in 2001 to encourage a bigger television viewing audience.

Now, I'm not going to dispute her opinion (did I mention she's really good?) but I also think that the Kentucky Derby needs to amend it's entry rule about graded stakes earnings. I think it biases the race toward faster-maturing colts and fillies who can win graded stakes as 2- or early 3-year-olds.

I'd like to see something like the Breeder's cup 'win and you're in' program set up - maybe make it the 'state/city' Derbys (i.e. Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Arkansas, Santa Anita) and if a horse wins one of those they are guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby, regardless of earnings. I think that would benefit the owners/trainers of slower maturing horses.

I would love to see a scenario where a horse that's been winning regional allowance races wins a state derby, which allows them to enter the Kentucky derby with minimal graded stakes earnings, but still having racing experience.

Anyway, that's my bright idea for the week!

[dray33]

Dray, don't tell my husband, but I think I am in love with you! Just kidding.

Exactly why I got into the sport... the chicks

One of the worst things they can do is neglect the gambler/customer. A friend of mine just told me how horrible it was at Belmont Park for the Belmont. They are canceling their trip to Saratoga, they have had their fill of NY racing. NYRA. It actually borders on unbelievable. The first horse I ever bought was a filly, BRUSHED BAYOU. She was wonderful, and won a small stakes for me at Belmont (the Caress). I know it wasn't a big deal, but to me it was HUGE. They presented me (after a few weeks) with a broken generic frame (20 bucks in the gift shop). Come on!

There is so much wrong. Maybe less tracks, fewer racing days, elimination of low level claiming is what it will take. I think changes are too far and few between. We need some fresh thinking, of-age thought leadership. Lotsa luck to us all...

[going4stamina]

Well--if you have the sense to pick a Broad Brush mare with no Northern Dancer or Mr. P, you have now really been placed on a pedestal! Huge Broad Brush fan (especially for broodmares) and Include fan.

It is really hard to change entrenched ways, but I feel it is necessary for future success. The status quo is not acceptable or palatable to most investors, potential customers, and most of all a travesty for the breed and individual horse.

[Strategic Maneuver]

I remember your filly, Dray. Her name always made that Linda Ronstadt hit Blue Bayou play in my mind.