When the opening fraction came up and RA was running easy with her ears pricked, not caring that it was a big colt beside her not just a filly, I told the people I was with that the race was over.
Calvin made a misjudgemnt on her on the turn. She was running easy, on the lead, and he asked her to open up. It reminded me of Desormeux's ride on Real Quiet in the Belmont. He asked her a sixteenth too early. If he waits until she is into the stretch before he asks her, she isn't tiring at the wire and it doesn't 'look' like MTB will catch her at a longer distance. Mike Smith timed his ride better than Calvin Borel is how I saw the finish. It is a game of 'what ifs' however, and the bottom line is RA won, MTB didn't quite get there, and the finish makes us curious about what could happen in the Belmont if they both show up.
my thoughts on the preakness
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
Just watched the replay of the race on ESPN, this time I watched how RA and MTB were running. It looked like poor Rachel was using her legs less, as her jockey said she was struggling and he was right.
Mine That Bird used his legs much harder near the end and seemed as if he had the most energy of the two of them, it's just he came up a bit too late.
RA was very courageous for being a tired girl. I hope hope hope her owners don't burn this girl out. Let her finish the year out against the Big Z in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic.
Mine That Bird used his legs much harder near the end and seemed as if he had the most energy of the two of them, it's just he came up a bit too late.
RA was very courageous for being a tired girl. I hope hope hope her owners don't burn this girl out. Let her finish the year out against the Big Z in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic.
We will NEVER see another Ruffian......
I think that the other key question is: why knock down a straw man at this time of year?
I can understand Mr. Jackson's desire to participate on the biggest stages in a sport that he loves. His health must really beginning to factor in what he wants to do. No problem with that.
But, what if the scenario had worked out a little differently, and RA stayed in her division until the BC. Had she stayed in her division while MTB went into the Belmont with two victories, say. Wouldn't we REALLY have been looking forward to the Belmont, and salivating about the fall prospects?
Now the Belmont is pretty tarnished, and both horses came out of the Preakness will a little splotch on their reputations. Calvin was rationalizing instead of being jazzed. That's the way I felt after the KD, jazzed. Yesterday, it seemed that the participants, the fans, and me were a little limp, and almost dreading the Belmont and what additional things could go wrong there.
I can understand Mr. Jackson's desire to participate on the biggest stages in a sport that he loves. His health must really beginning to factor in what he wants to do. No problem with that.
But, what if the scenario had worked out a little differently, and RA stayed in her division until the BC. Had she stayed in her division while MTB went into the Belmont with two victories, say. Wouldn't we REALLY have been looking forward to the Belmont, and salivating about the fall prospects?
Now the Belmont is pretty tarnished, and both horses came out of the Preakness will a little splotch on their reputations. Calvin was rationalizing instead of being jazzed. That's the way I felt after the KD, jazzed. Yesterday, it seemed that the participants, the fans, and me were a little limp, and almost dreading the Belmont and what additional things could go wrong there.
What jagger said!
When I was growing up we raced the same horses ever weekend. I had a bay gelding that ran bare foot and I never had to have his feet trimed.
Not Jockey club races but local dirt road races. These were not TB and I never saw a horse break down..
griff
When I was growing up we raced the same horses ever weekend. I had a bay gelding that ran bare foot and I never had to have his feet trimed.
Not Jockey club races but local dirt road races. These were not TB and I never saw a horse break down..
griff
"We has met the enemy and he is us" [Pogo]
I think the notion that it's possible or desirable in this day and age to run horses back soon is a dead one.
I read old histories incessantly. Horses were treated differently because of the short racing seasons and because everyone else was doing the same. It was very common to run horses midweek and on weekends, every week for awhile.
That being said, it NEVER maximized performances. Whenever fresh competition was introduced, those seemingly iron horses got clocked. And often put on the sidelines.
The other thing to keep in mind is that horses 50 years ago were used in races to darken form and reduce handicaps for the big races. So that those busy past performances are quite misleading.
No, just look back 30 years. Seattle Slew wasn't far removed from the iron horse era. He had a brutal KD, a demanding Preakness, and a Belmont on deep mud. (And that was after a light regimen meant for him to peak later, not at the KD.) A few weeks passed, and it all caught up to him and got him clobbered. End of discussion.
MTB should be put out for a rest. I don't care how game or honest he is.
I read old histories incessantly. Horses were treated differently because of the short racing seasons and because everyone else was doing the same. It was very common to run horses midweek and on weekends, every week for awhile.
That being said, it NEVER maximized performances. Whenever fresh competition was introduced, those seemingly iron horses got clocked. And often put on the sidelines.
The other thing to keep in mind is that horses 50 years ago were used in races to darken form and reduce handicaps for the big races. So that those busy past performances are quite misleading.
No, just look back 30 years. Seattle Slew wasn't far removed from the iron horse era. He had a brutal KD, a demanding Preakness, and a Belmont on deep mud. (And that was after a light regimen meant for him to peak later, not at the KD.) A few weeks passed, and it all caught up to him and got him clobbered. End of discussion.
MTB should be put out for a rest. I don't care how game or honest he is.
I came away feeling vindicated for Mine That Bird and was so glad that he showed what a classy little horse he is. As Steward mentioned, there was a small emptiness in me after the race, either because RA didn't do it so easily or because MTB proved that he was a serious triple crown contender. Unlike a lot of recent contenders, the Belmont might be his best distance. On a personal note, MTB is built like my home-bred 2-year-old In Excess, who is short and rather long-backed. I am so glad that MTB has helped me not feel skeptical about my 2-year-old based on his looks. 
As for RA, she is SO classy but I don't think in Ruffian's league...one thing though, she might have been sent too quickly (I agree with whoever mentioned that) and she certainly may not have liked the footing. Given those two scenarios, she proved she is really good. Also I personally think Zenyatta is also freakishly good and could definitely test RA or pretty much any male in North America at a decent distance.
As for RA, she is SO classy but I don't think in Ruffian's league...one thing though, she might have been sent too quickly (I agree with whoever mentioned that) and she certainly may not have liked the footing. Given those two scenarios, she proved she is really good. Also I personally think Zenyatta is also freakishly good and could definitely test RA or pretty much any male in North America at a decent distance.Steward
Should all the horses that ran in both the Derby and the Preakness or only MTB not be allowed to run in the Belmont??
By the way, a trainer from Laurel ran a mare in back to back race meets at Colonial Downs. I believe she placed the first day and won the second day.
griff
Should all the horses that ran in both the Derby and the Preakness or only MTB not be allowed to run in the Belmont??
By the way, a trainer from Laurel ran a mare in back to back race meets at Colonial Downs. I believe she placed the first day and won the second day.
griff
"We has met the enemy and he is us" [Pogo]
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oliverstoned
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Dave C wrote:When the opening fraction came up and RA was running easy with her ears pricked, not caring that it was a big colt beside her not just a filly, I told the people I was with that the race was over.
Calvin made a misjudgemnt on her on the turn. She was running easy, on the lead, and he asked her to open up. It reminded me of Desormeux's ride on Real Quiet in the Belmont. He asked her a sixteenth too early. If he waits until she is into the stretch before he asks her, she isn't tiring at the wire and it doesn't 'look' like MTB will catch her at a longer distance. Mike Smith timed his ride better than Calvin Borel is how I saw the finish. It is a game of 'what ifs' however, and the bottom line is RA won, MTB didn't quite get there, and the finish makes us curious about what could happen in the Belmont if they both show up.
What could happen if they both show at the Belmont ...RA wouldnt have a chance. I wish they wouldn't have entered her or MTB didn't have trouble in traffic...We'd have a triple crown winner this year
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oliverstoned
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oliverstoned
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- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:17 pm
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ireneinwa wrote:Dave C wrote:When the opening fraction came up and RA was running easy with her ears pricked, not caring that it was a big colt beside her not just a filly, I told the people I was with that the race was over.
Calvin made a misjudgemnt on her on the turn. She was running easy, on the lead, and he asked her to open up. It reminded me of Desormeux's ride on Real Quiet in the Belmont. He asked her a sixteenth too early. If he waits until she is into the stretch before he asks her, she isn't tiring at the wire and it doesn't 'look' like MTB will catch her at a longer distance. Mike Smith timed his ride better than Calvin Borel is how I saw the finish. It is a game of 'what ifs' however, and the bottom line is RA won, MTB didn't quite get there, and the finish makes us curious about what could happen in the Belmont if they both show up.
What could happen if they both show at the Belmont ...RA wouldnt have a chance. I wish they wouldn't have entered her or MTB didn't have trouble in traffic...We'd have a triple crown winner this year
Ahh not so sure although it would seem like it watching the Preakness. If Calvin could get her to relax unlike the Preakness Mike Smith on MTB will think he'll be able to catch her this time and will be content to ride him the same way he did in the Preakness and she'll just squirt away at the top of the stretch. Of course Charitable Man just may take it instead of either one.