[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

um yeah, since when was that a bad word?

Nothing wrong with being successful. Just that there are more ways to be successful than what are currently used. At least I think so. I mentioned Drysdale's route with Prized. What about what Dickinson did with Da Hoss? Matz chosing his route with Barbaro even though he was told at every turn that no horse could win off a five-week layoff? What I'm saying is that there are ways of doing things that may work that are a little unconventional and if more trainers were willing to try them (and had owners willing to allow them the opportunity to try), we might see some things that would work and at the same time might be good for the sport. Or maybe they won't work. At no point have I guaranteed that my ideas would work, only that I'd try them and see. What I do know is that I am totally disgusted with what is going on nowdays. Sure, it's what everyone does. But then come July, it seems like 70% of the top horses in the group are on the sidelines. How many top 3yo's do we see each year continue on to their 4yo season? Perhaps if they weren't pushed so hard so early, they might have a little left for later. Or we can just stay with the status quo where every year, we are left with 4-5 horse fields in all of the best 3yo races in the second half of the season and most of those are newcomers cause so many of the best are on the sidelines. Go back to only 2000 and think about it. None of the following TC race winners made it through the end of the year:

Red Bullet-2000
Monarchos-2001
Point Given-2001
Sarava-2002
Empire Maker-2003
Smarty Jones-2004
Giacomo-2005
Afleet Alex-2005
Barbaro-2006
Jazil-2006

I'm not sure but I think Commendable in 2000 would be in that group too. That means out of 16 horses that have won TC races in this decade, at least 10 and maybe 11 haven't finished their 3yo season. U could take it back further and add Charismatic, Real Quiet, and Silver Charm, all of whom went to the sidelines following the Belmont. U could throw in horses like Lion Heart, The Cliff's Edge, Bellamy Road, Closing Argument, Tapit, and Came Home. All were prominent in the TC races or on the Derby prep trail and all had their seasons ended prematurely. I don't like that. I also don't think it's coincidence. I think that these horses are being pushed too hard too early without the proper training. I'm trying to find a better way. Again, not saying my ideas would work but if the current tried and successful routes are going to get me early success but then my season will be done before the summer is over, thanks but no thanks.