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Originally Posted by pgardn
NO. I hope the horse is challenged and then guts it out, holding form down the stretch at 1/2 f to go head to head and then pulling away. At least I used to until I read the nonsense.
And much of the love for the horse is the breeding, not the running. And that imo, ruins the sport. Puts him in the shed depriving me of seeing yet another great horse continue to run. I like to watch horses run. I personally dont give a rats .... what their babies are like.
I like the horses as individuals, not some sort of pedigree dog show animals with fat ladies trotting them about because they look so well. A little hand clap, splendid...
Thats not racing. Racing is for athletes. The horses are great athletes.
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I can't argue with anyone wanting to see a horse put forth a gutty effort and prevail -I wouldn't mind seeing it myself from Bernardini (if for nothing else, to prove to others he's got a lot going for him besides pure talent). However, wouldn't you agree that a horse could show heart in other ways? The Classic will be by far the biggest field Bernardini has ever faced and we can presume he won't necessarily have the smoothest of trips. His tractability and quick turn of foot will allow him to avoid a lot of trouble, however. He's supposed to win that race if he's as good as advertised (and I believe he is), but wouldn't winning that race in and of itself be sufficient proof for his doubters (even if he doesn't have a ding dong battle down the stretch)?
I am just as frustrated as you that the racing game is now all about the breeding. I enjoy the breeding game very much, but seeing 3 year olds swooped off the track to the shed because owners are fearful of injury is very frustrating. They are in the wrong sport if they are so afraid. With great risk (running a top horse, who then may get injured), comes great reward (wonderful accomplishments on the track, championships, glory). Isn't that what sports is about? I honestly think the Sheikh is a true sportsman and wants to see his homebred colt continue to do him proud. If he decides that he has to have a Bernardini foal ASAP and retires him, I will be devastated. The Sheikh will take a hit if he doesn't run a potentially great horse next year..........