Andy Beyer, Dutrow, DRF

[CSC]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

The talk about the sterile-issues and Mott and Cigar has been mentioned before.

To me the larger consideration is Cigar was allowed to grow into a horse. Imagine that, a horse. Today they're yanked off the track at 3-years-old. Who knows how good (or bad) some of the start 3YO's of the past decade or so would have been if given time to mature and develop.

Not that development is the only reason behind his ascent, but certainly would have to play a role.

Disclaimer: I'm a Cigar homer. His '95 BC was my first BC in person, and he's one of the main reasons why I'm in the game today.

That's a good point, in addition having Jerry Bailey coming aboard after Mike Smith rode him to his first dirt win no doubt helped. Bailey in his book made a point of mentioning he was a very different horse on dirt than when he 1st rode him in a turf race at Belmont before the switch was made to dirt for the remainder of his career.