Last Match Race anyone has Seen?

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I remember that one. PVAL outfoxed her as I recall. He let her get away a little turning for home but saved something for the very end and nailed her at the wire.

YEP yep you saw the race

Match races no more reflect the true nature of horse racing ... than those ridiculous "penalty kicks" reflect the true nature of soccer.

Consider this ... four of the most famous match races were won by the horse who was ultimately considered to be inferior to his rival ...

Seabiscuit was ranked #25 by The Blood-Horse panel ... but loser War Admiral was ranked #13.

Alsab was ranked #65 ... but loser Whirlaway was ranked #26.

Armed was ranked #39 ... but loser Assault was ranked #33.

Nashua was ranked #24 ... but loser Swaps was ranked #20.

And ...

Foolish Pleasure was ranked #97 ... but non-finisher Ruffian was ranked #35.

Match races have clearly proven nothing ... so what's the point?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

Match races no more reflect the true nature of horse racing ... than those ridiculous "penalty kicks" reflect the true nature of soccer.

Consider this ... four of the most famous match races were won by the horse who was ultimately considered to be inferior to his rival ...

Seabiscuit was ranked #25 by The Blood-Horse panel ... but loser War Admiral was ranked #13.

Alsab was ranked #65 ... but loser Whirlaway was ranked #26.

Armed was ranked #39 ... but loser Assault was ranked #33.

Nashua was ranked #24 ... but loser Swaps was ranked #20.

And ...

Foolish Pleasure was ranked #97 ... but non-finisher Ruffian was ranked #35.

Match races have clearly proven nothing ... so what's the point?

I agree! They were nothing more than gimmicks to make a quick buck! The last one I saw? Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure...sorta lost my taste for them after that!

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I agree! They were nothing more than gimmicks to make a quick buck! The last one I saw? Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure...sorta lost my taste for them after that!

That was about the only blessing to come out of that tragedy ...

... it soured everyone on these ridiculous match races.

That is ... everyone but Merv Griffin ... who wanted to stage a match race between his Steviewonderboy ... and the Kentucky Derby winner.

Ooops ... sorry Muuuurrrrvvvv ... that one ain't gonna happen either.

The last match race I saw (late 90's maybe), matched a TB and a Qt. Can't remember where it took place, or how far they went, but it was around "the hook". They were a couple of fairly nice horses. The TB got up to win, but the Qt hung on like grim death to the end, and was the more impressive. An entertaining race, and neither died.


Ez