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Originally Posted by King Glorious
I was too young and not even into racing when the last three TC winners ran so I can only go by what I've read. All three were highly regarded horses prior to the Derby, hardly surprises. Not the same with I'll Have Another. Maybe it doesn't make sense but if a horse is going to become immortalized by winning the TC, I want it to be a star and this horse doesn't fit that for me. Not saying he's not a good horse because he is and there hasn't been anything lucky about his wins. He's deserved them and if he wins the Belmont, he'll deserve that too. It just bothers me that in the future, he'll be looked at as one of the sport’s greats because of the accomplishment and people won't take the time to understand that circumstances and timing often play a bigger role in making history than actual ability. People will remember I'll Have Another before Alysheba ,Sunday Silence, Risen Star, Point Given, Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, and others. For that silly reason, I want him to lose.
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I once shared that mindset, for various ridiculous reasons. I even rooted against Alysheba, the first horse I ever saw with a chance to win the TC, in the Belmont because I didn't think he was worthy. In fact, Sunday Silence and Silver Charm were about the only two possible Triple Crown winners that I believed were worthy.
Our sport is battered and bruised. It has gone the way of boxing, and most Americans care little about it. It desperately needs something that makes it relevant to most Americans, even if for a short time. A Triple Crown winner will provide that relevancy.