Corinthian or Bernardini

Originally Posted by Betsy

So what you're saying is that racing fans only latch onto horses that are not viewed as bluebloods? Well, even if that is the case, I don't care. Horses like Bernardini are just as deserving of affection as the those you mentioned above, and if the public doesn't latch onto him, then fine. I don't care; I love the horse and he has a chance to do great things. If fans don't appreciate him (that's IF Bernardini lives up to his promise), well - that's their issue. I don't see any reason why Smarty Jones and Funny Cide are better for the sport than Bernardini; a great horse is a great horse, period.

Because the game has become a big breeding game and it stinks. Horses are taken off the track very early without a chance to build up any following. This is clearly a problem. Breeding for breedings sake. Lets just breed them and prance them around in front of judges like a dog show. You wanna dog show. I dont want a dog show. I watch racing for the athletes. Not for the conformation or trying to back up my beliefs about why a horse that has won is successful based on his heredity. Let them run.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Because the game has become a big breeding game and it stinks. Horses are taken off the track very early without a chance to build up any following. This is clearly a problem. Breeding for breedings sake. Lets just breed them and prance them around in front of judges like a dog show. You wanna dog show. I dont want a dog show. I watch racing for the athletes. Not for the conformation or trying to back up my beliefs about why a horse that has won is successful based on his heredity. Let them run.

Well,
I can not argue that the racing game has now become the breeding game and that superbly-bred top racehorses run simply so they can command top dollar stud fees. However, Smarty Jones was retired early and he does not have what you'd call a great pedigree, although it's a nice one. So, it's not only the AP Indys and Storm Cats being retired.

If people want to root against Bernardini because of his pedigree and connections, that's their business and they have that right. My favorites are my favorites even if racing fans dislike them; I don't like the reverse snobbism, but it is what it is