Good post, I agree with you.
The moment that Curlin crossed the wire first in the Preakness I assumed that Street Sense would not run in the Belmont. Without a TC on the line, sporting or not it just doesn't seem like a race that you just have to attend at all costs.

I'm going...and as long as Curlin goes I don't care who else shows up.

Rags, though, would be nice.

I agree with the first part and if u add Asmussen, I'd agree with the second part too.

How old are guys like Asmussen and Jones and Pletcher? I ask because, for them, maybe the Belmont is not as important as it might be for some of the older guys. I remember back in the early days of the BC. My favorite horse was Java Gold. I remember how his people (Paul Mellon and Mack Miller) were more interested in winning the JCGC than the BC. The BC wasn't even in the plans until he lost the JCGC and they knew they needed the Classic to get HOY. Same thing even in 2003 with Mineshaft. Will Farish was content to point Mineshaft to the JCGC and never was interested in going to the BC with him. For some, winning a grade one at Saratoga with a $100k purse is more important to them than winning a grade one somewhere else with a $500k purse while for others, winning a $500k purse in a grade three might be more important. So there are different outlooks on what's important. I don't know what Nafzger and the owner's backgrounds are so I couldn't say but obviously the Travers is very important to them, moreso than the Belmont, and they are doing what they think is best to get them to that race. I think about Harry Aleo and Lost in the Fog. He said once that he got more enjoyment watching Fog win at home, where he and all of his friends could watch him than he did in the bigger races on the road. I think about a guy like John Mabee, who would probably rather win the Pacific Classic than any other race in the country because it's at his home. I think about how Ron McAnally was specifically looking for a horse for the Craigs that could win them a Pacific Classic. Different people have different ideas on what's most important so for that reason, I don't have any issue with Tafel deciding what he did.

Geez.

Absolutley......You will have a blast. I just hope NYRA works their a.ss off to give us a good undercard.

I've been back and forth since the Preakness about what the final decision should be. As a traditionalist, natural competitor and recent "jumper" on the Street Sense bandwagon I wanted him to go. However as a realist, I agree with the decision. I hope nothing "goofy" happens over the next few months that would change Nafgers plans with SS. I haven't been to the Travers in several years, but if he goes I'm there. Let's face it no matter who runs in the Belmont....Will we watch? Yes Will we have Belmont parties? Most of Us....Will we bet the Shiat out of the undercard...Yep.....Will there be a Triple Crown winner this year? Nope.....Have we had some entertaining, informative, interesting debate along the way? You betcha....Let's line them all up on June 9th and have a great time!!

I'm hoping everyone expecting a big, fabulous Travers party gets their wish.

The thing is: We know the horse is racing-fit right now. And we know his two main competitors are pointing towards the Belmont.

We don't have any idea if all of these things will be true in three months.

He doesn't want this horse facing Curlin going 1 1/2 miles at Belmont. Whatever else comes into play, be it tradition, race strategy for the rest of year, etc.

the last thing this horse needs right now is a sound thrashing. He knows that. He'd run otherwise.

That's the furthest thing from reality I've heard today.

So is it a safe bet to put $20 across on Curlin?

that was my first post on the subject, typed as soon as i saw the news. chalk it up to disappointment.
i'm still disappointed...not surprised, but disappointed.
just don't think their fall campaign will be much, a race or two and the bcc. i'm not thrilled with a horse running probably three more times ever.

oh hell...
and thanks for saying i'm one of your faves! you're one of mine as well....but of course no guarantee we'll always agree.

ah, that doesn't mean anything! i mean, look at smarty, he trained/raced in wraps!


er.....:rolleyes:

i'd like to see all the big guys come back....but so often anymore it doesn't happen.
no doubt all of the major players are putting out feelers tho.

Can you imagine, they turn for home and SS, after one of those long runs of his, has the lead and then he just shortens stride. Getting run down the way he did in the Preakness was bad enough.

Of course, the above assumes that he gets his usual good setup and clear trip.

They can spin this any way they want and it can be interpreted any number of ways. Nafzger's been around long enough to know when he's overmatched.

Well...that's your take. Although it could have been the result, IMO you are way off as to that being the reason why they are not running the horse.

this sure doesn't sound promising:


“Knowing the offers that are coming in on this horse, which I don’t know the details of, but I know it’s getting economically impossible to run,” he said. “But I also know Mr. Tafel. He’s a sportsman and he wants to win.”

from drf:

Nafzger said Street Sense would instead have two major objectives the rest of the year, the Travers Stakes Aug. 25 at Saratoga, and the Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park. No horse has ever won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Derby, Travers, and Classic, a superfecta Nafzger said "would be history."

Had Street Sense run in the Belmont, that too would have been history. Curlin, who won the Preakness after finishing third in the Derby, and Hard Spun, who was second in the Derby and third in the Preakness, both are heading to Belmont Park for the 1 1/2-mile race. Had all three run, it would have been the first time the same three horses took the first three spots in the Derby and Preakness and then competed in the Belmont.

and like another trainer said (several were surprised at the announcement) there are only three classics...much as some like to refer to the travers as the 'fourth' there are only three.

i know the preakness gets a bad rap, especially because of the state of pimlico--but it's played a significant role the last couple years in year-end voting. if this trend continues, it's the belmont that will be on life support, not the preakness.

I doubt I even bother to watch let alone bet the Belmont. Short field with zero chance of a Sarava-esque upset

i'll watch...

pletcher still on the fence between the quay and rags to riches.

he needs to run the filly! circular quay has had two shots at the big boys. give the gal a chance.

i wouldn't discount Tiago from winning

Nice "STONE" ...great craftmanship, where can I get one like that?

I make house calls!! Haven't done much in the Sand Flats but many of my fine crafted memorials can be viewed all over the Mohawk Valley and Capital District.(shameless plug):D

As far as SS...many people gave his connections the utmost respect prior to and following the derby...myself wasn't one of them. I really don't understand all the 2nd guessing and seemingly disrespectful tone they have been getting since the decision not to run. It is their horse...they are the responsible ones for the horses future & if they don't see a positive reason for running him then that's fine...don't run him & look towards the future. Most will still be fans of the horse and the sport if he doesn't run in the Belmont...the rest can keep playing owner/trainer on their laptops at home.

Take the heat!!! By not answering for anything!!

HBO: "How do you explain these test results?"
Assmussen: "I don't explain them."
HBO: "What do you mean you don't explain them?"
Assmussen: "Do you know how successful I am? Don't you think people are out to see me fail?"

Wow! What a great defense! He is simply so logical in his statements!

I can't stand him...

I feel bad for the horse. I think he is a great horse, but the fact he is in Assmussen's care sickens me.

Fair enough. But it's long, long after a mile and a half, no? ;)

He had a point, though. . . Why would he use 750 times the legal limit of a substance that's easily detectable?

Why?

Maybe because he uses these types of drugs on many of his horses, and someone got sloppy. Who knows the truth, but the fact is he has been suspended multiple times, and does use these types of drugs on his horses.

He has no point, he is a liar, and a cheat. I hope someday, when he is caught again, he has his license revoked in every state.

I hope PA sets an example with Vaders and other states follow PA's lead.

Maybe because he has got away with it for a long time and the labs finally were testing for it? The defense is the oldest trick in the book. The "I'm not possibly that dumb to do that" trick?

Actually he had no idea what they were going to ask him. They told him it was going to be about Curlin.

I understand that most of the year turf writers have little to write about that anyone outside of diehards and people like us care about. I also understand that Street Sense being in the Belmont would make it a more interesting race. But the degree to which these guys are howling about this horse not running is stupid. It is one race in a 365 day schedule. Sure it is a classic but the problems of horse racing have almost nothing to do with the Triple Crown. The people who wont watch the Belmont because SS isn't in it aren't real fans anyway and probably wont be regardless of what happens. The people who support the game will be betting it despite his absense.

The guy made a choice to pass a demanding race with decreased relevance in the modern thoroughbred world. His horse may be lightly raced in the minds of some but the races are all tightly bunched and this would be his 4th race in 8 weeks. Which may not be a demanding schedule for a horse of past times but it is now. He doesn't wear front bandages because Carl has an endorsement deal with Vetwrap.

As a trainer I understand why he is doing this. And I think it is the right thing to do. I'm quite confident that his instincts are telling him to pass more than some possible stallion deal. As for the hysterical prophets of doom, What do you think they would have said if Frank Whitely would have passed on the match race?

Excellent Points Chuck......By the way, Phonsie and the boys are in the B-Finals on Saturday...Good Luck Spa Catholic!!

I was hoping you would give us your viewpoint. Thank you!!:)

He'll buy me a vodka yet damn it!!

Buy you one....Heck I would've made you one last night. The Vodka Tonics were flowing like...uh....well....Vodka Tonics. Might stick to the Coors Light tonight.

Lord I'm Thirsty...Might have some Spritzas!!! or maybe just some "33's"

Nothing like an Ice Cold Rolling Rock on 90 degree day!!

Last night in Ann Arbor shall be hereby declared Margaritas With Friends Night.