Smarty Jones Classic

[estreetposse]

[quote=blackthroatedwind]Not to be overly critical, but if you don't know who Laz Barrerra was, I find it hard to even have a discussion that in any way involves the history of the game. You simply have a myopic view of the game that centers around one OK horse while ignoring the plentitude of players in this game that deserve at least as much attention....and in many cases more.

By the way, that attendance, while substantial, was phony.[/QUOTE]

Just curious, what was the attendance that year? I was at Belmont back in 2002 for the "SARAVA STAKES", Not a seat in the stands and not a blade of grass to be found to set up camp as there was 103,000+(if accurate). Luckily no one used the Budweiser tent with its 3 Big screens that day!!

[randallscott35]

[quote=estreetposse]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Not to be overly critical, but if you don't know who Laz Barrerra was, I find it hard to even have a discussion that in any way involves the history of the game. You simply have a myopic view of the game that centers around one OK horse while ignoring the plentitude of players in this game that deserve at least as much attention....and in many cases more.

By the way, that attendance, while substantial, was phony.[/QUOTE]

Just curious, what was the attendance that year? I was at Belmont back in 2002 for the "SARAVA STAKES", Not a seat in the stands and not a blade of grass to be found to set up camp as there was 103,000+(if accurate). Luckily no one used the Budweiser tent with its 3 Big screens that day!!

I think they called it 120,000 something.

[slotdirt]

Why was it phony though? I was there, and that place was f'ing packed.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Why was it phony though? I was there, and that place was f'ing packed.

It was packed, no doubt about it, but I don't believe any of those attendance figures. And, I am including other TC venues as well.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

It was packed, no doubt about it, but I don't believe any of those attendance figures. And, I am including other TC venues as well.

While I'll go ahead and answer the question "no, I didn't count every person that came through the gate"....I was at Belmont that day and all I can say is it was mobbed. The next year when Afleet Alex won it looked like a ghost town compared to the '04 race. I'm not sure why you wouldn't believe the attendance figures though....everyone that pays is accounted for. If anything the reported figures are actually lower than actuals because of comps. And there are a lot of those at the TC races.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Samarta

While I'll go ahead and answer the question "no, I didn't count every person that came through the gate"....I was at Belmont that day and all I can say is it was mobbed. The next year when Afleet Alex won it looked like a ghost town compared to the '04 race. I'm not sure why you wouldn't believe the attendance figures though....everyone that pays is accounted for. If anything the reported figures are actually lower than actuals because of comps. And there are a lot of those at the TC races.

There are two things I know for sure.....it was obscenely crowded and the attendance figure was fabricated. If it makes you happy to not believe me then feel free to go right ahead.

I hope you were able to find something else of interest in the thread, and considering the foolishness you spouted recently about Round Pond, which you never revisited after she lost, I am surprised you have the gall to pursue this ridiculous argument with me. On the other hand....very little surprises me with some posters here.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

There are two things I know for sure.....it was obscenely crowded and the attendance figure was fabricated. If it makes you happy to not believe me then feel free to go right ahead.

I hope you were able to find something else of interest in the thread, and considering the foolishness you spouted recently about Round Pond, which you never revisited after she lost, I am surprised you have the gall to pursue this ridiculous argument with me. On the other hand....very little surprises me with some posters here.

She lost....was there much else to say? It doesn't take away the fact that she is very very nice horse. I'm not really sure what I was supposed to say? Oh I know....I was so wrong everything I ever said about her and was completely out of line....gimme a break....

I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong about anything...I was simply trying to understand your comments on phony fans and how smarty wasn't good for the industry. So you can throw out the insults, that's fine, but I was simply trying to understand your comments.