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Originally Posted by Cannon Shell
One of the biggest problems that this sport faces is that the "racing media" has often consisted of flowery prose about lovely horses and press releases announcing "news" like a post race concert series. Adding to this is the inhouse "racing experts" who often know little to nothing about handicapping, training, riding or the historical aspects of the sport. One of the great things about this meet is the siros seminars which feature guys who actually get the sport, understand the wagering and handicapping aspect and realize the historical signifigance or lack thereof of certain performances and events. Steve's show which is unique in it is a daily show that needs to fill 3 hours a day is in many ways the equilivent of the Siros show on the air. He is passionate about the sport and attempts to educate the general listening public about the "other side of the fence" which is often the truth. In my case I am not afraid to tell the truth and speak in plain terms unlike some of the diplomatic trainers that you mentioned. Maybe you want to believe that Jess jackson is some wonderful guy and curlin is a racing god and Dutrow is colorful. Maybe you want to believe in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus too? This is 2008 and people want information and they want educated opinions. Steve and I give you both. If you choose not to like what we say, your call. But I will continue to swoon when people need to look at the beyer figure before determining whether a race was good or not and when a horse who has done nothing really special gets his "legacy" talked about. Am I excited over the prospect of Curlin in the Woodward? Not particularly. Would it be an interesting story if he ran against BB? Sure. If it is Curlin against the 7 dwarfs that ran in the Whitney or Steven Foster, how exciting is that? Is Curlin running in the Japan Cup Dirt an exciting development? No. Do I think that his 4 year old campaign has been "great for racing" like the other sheep? Not really. maybe because i have seen great horses up close and personal. maybe because I grew up in Saratoga and saw truly great races and still remember when horses needed to run in races to have a "legacy".
If you want fluff and bs, listen to Dave Johnsons show.
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I get this post. However, I have a couple of issues with this. I do not believe one can compare Curlin and Big Brown to horses of past years. The game has changed too much. Curlin and Big Brown are the two most important horses that are racing in the U.S today. Talking about one's legacy is pointless. I think one should speak the truth regardless if it is rosey or black. One has to recognize what Big Brown and Curlin has done based on their racing career. They cannot help the quality of their foes. No matter what your opinion, you have to give respect to these two horses simply based on their wins:not beyers, times, foes, or mythical matchups.