[Suffolk Shippers]

99% of the time, racing is all about the wagers and the payouts and I'd be the first to admit that, I think we all would. But, horse racing needed today more than it needed to bang out a nice handle. Racing needed a day like today much like baseball needed Cal Ripken's consecutive game streak and the 1998 home run chase between Sosa and McGwire (steroids aside) to enliven the fan base post 1994 work stoppage.

I'd say since 2005, when Ghostzapper retired, the game has been in a downward trend, mired mostly by trainer scandals, retirements and terrible tragedy.

Personally, I cannot argue owners who retire their colts early because the money at the end of the rainbow is just too much to pass up on. It is almost impossible to turn a profit just racing a top flight thoroughbred, the care, food, shipping, etc costs are just so high. Not to mention, the prizes to win some races are just so low. Less prestigious races such as the Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, Super Derby, and the Haskell all offer $1,000,000 purses.
That's a great offer by those tracks, but when two of the three Triple Crown jewels are also only million dollar races, there is an issue.

Even so, the retirements hurt the game, as do tragedies like what happened to Pine Island and of course, Barbaro. I feel the Barbaro tragedy cast a darkened pall on this game and only a new superstar could move people past that tough day.

Today's breakout by Rags to Riches capped an amazing Triple Crown season, which has produced four bonified stars in Rags, Curlin, Street Sense and to a lesser degree, Hard Spun. This is exactly what horse racing needed. Throw in reigning HOY Invasor and the summer is lining up to be very interesting as the spotlight shifts to the Breeders Cup.

Rags to Riches winning will give the game a much needed boost after such a difficult year or so. As will the boys! Should be a fun summer/fall.