you're agreeing with a point that includes the statement that big brown didn't finish out the year? he raced how many more times after the belmont? now it's the t.c. series' fault that he took a chunk out of his hoof that forced him to miss the bc? exactly how many times after mid june does a horse have to run to be considered as having finished a year?
the racing isn't at fault. early retirements have far more to do with the value of the horse than the injury. they acknowledged rags could have come back, they chose to breed her instead. big brown wasn't forced into retirement, they wanted the easier money to be had from stud fees.
success in these races is what's causing retirements, not too much or too gruelling racing.
the only one of the four that's officially retired in that list of 'top contenders' is old fashioned. i want revenge and pamplemousse are on the shelf, and they say dunkirk will return-we'll see.
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