Quote:
|
Originally Posted by RolloTomasi
You could argue Curlin tailed off, too (at least during the summer). Didn't everyone write him off as some sort of grinder after his modest Haskell effort?
Also, though they pad his resume now, weren't the JCGC and BC Classic wins considered mild upsets (in the sense that Lawyer Ron was odds-on at Belmont and Curlin was 3rd or 4th choice in the Classic) at the time?
Either way, had Street Sense returned at 4, I think he would have beaten Curlin more times than not in races contested at 9f. Further than that and the reverse would be likely.
|
I don't know that the argument of Curlin tailing off is feasible, at least not to those who didn't write him off as a grinder-type or think he was beginning to tail off after the Haskell. Personally, I didn't write him off due to either, especially him being some sort of grinder. If the tailing off argument was out there, I think the JCGC put that to rest. To my surprise, I didn't hear the "grinder" argument. Most qualified opinions I heard were not along those lines at all. I also think during the summer, many people got caught up in the Lawyer Ron monster performances, and they were nothing short of being that. Maybe it was horse for course, a freak thing, or I don't know what.
As far as Street Sense coming back at 4 -- well, what should have, could have, would have . . . Unfortunately we'll never know. Last year, I thought throughout the year, Curlin was getting better. He was gaining experience, seasoning, battle scars, etc. Personally, I don't feel I can say the same thing about Street Sense.
I'm sorry it's something that has to be hypothesized. Excellent points though, and thanks.
Eric