Country Star will not race in 3 weeks

[philcski]

Originally Posted by bellsbendboy

Philski if Empire Maker siring a grade one winner makes you ill, then your "sickness" is terminal.

Empire Maker is as well bred as a horse can be, was a terrific racehorse, has outstanding conformation and has covered over one hundred of the best mares in each of his three seasons. BBB

I'm very aware of what he has going for him, thanks. It's more the fact that he lacks the "heart" I look for in a truly great one- he had more talent than almost any horse I've ever seen but there were several performances that left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll forgive the Derby as it was an overconfident ride by Bailey and he wasn't 100% by all accounts, and the Belmont was a reasonably good performance, but the Jim Dandy and subsequent retirement was frustrating (I bet Strong Hope in that race, by the way, not sour grapes...)
Also, I was disappointed he was treated as the king of the barn when I KNEW the best 3YO in the country, not just his barn, was kind of an afterthought.