Curlin

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't mean to single out the Preakness. I'd be even more opposed to running in the Belmont than the Preakness. Of Empire Maker, Jazil and Red Bullet, the first two did run in another TC race after losing the Derby, which is what I'm saying doesn't need to be done.

I'm not saying that either Point Given or Alex would have better careers or longer careers had they skipped the later TC races. Whether running in those races had anything to do with their future fate is something that can never be known. But as it stands, they are part of a long list of those that, for whatever reasons, haven't had the greatest of luck when it comes to going on.

The one point in which I'll agree with u is when u say that skipping them doesn't ensure future success. There used to be a time when I strongly advocated striking while the iron was hot. In fact, I still have that same opinion of the BC Juvenile. It really bothers me when trainers skip it with the reasoning being that they don't want to do too much because they want to have a horse ready for the Derby. Today is just a different game played by different rules though. Following recent trends, we are more likely to see Curlin done before September if he runs in the Preakness (especially if he wins it) than we are if he doesn't.

I guess it just seems to me like you are underestimating the value of winning a TC race. These three races are - along with the BC - the biggest races in the sport in this country. If the connections of their horse feel the horse is healthy and has a shot.....why not take it?
I guess what I am saying is that I don't think competing in the TC races ruined the career of horses like Point Given, Afleet Alex, Empire Maker, and Jazil......but if I am wrong and it did ruin the rest of their career......it was still worth it.