Discreet Cat earns 115 Beyer Speed Figure

Originally Posted by Betsy

Fair enough, but I've seen plenty of posts knocking this horse for winning too easily. Should Bernardini be penalized for being exceptionally talented? I also think people are assuming that he will show no heart when challenged- based on what? What happens if he wins the Classic in fine style, and doesn't have to truly dig down to earn that victory? Does he then get penalized because he was too good, even for the older horses?

and i repeat:

Example. If we had a car dressed as a horse that challenged Secretariat the whole way in the Belmont, I do not think he would have had the same time. Secretariat was running so smoothly, very relaxed, because the horse was not challenged. I take nothing away from that run because the horse was extraordinarily fast. But he would not have run that smoothly, imo, if he had horses surrounding him down the stretch. Very few thoroughbreds maintain the same stride when tired and challenged, very few. So I wish to see him challenged and run with the same stride. Tiznow my arse.