Rags To Riches to Belmont?

miraja2 · #1 05-23-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whodey17

I would like to see the big three skip the Belmont as well. There really is no need for them to run in the Belmont. I would like to see them freshened and then face each other in the Travers and then maybe for a good fall campaign.

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each other right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

slotdirt · #2 05-23-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each othe right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

Consider the source, eh?

herkhorse · #3 05-23-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each othe right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

I would have to agree, Lets line em all up, throw in the filly and anyone else that wants to run, and we could have the most exciting Belmont in years. Even without a TC possibility.

lemoncrush · #4 05-23-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

This quite simply makes no sense whatsoever. If the horses are healthy and fit now, why not see all three of them compete against each othe right now?
Does running in the Belmont somehow disqualify them from the Travers? No.
Would skipping the Belmont somehow ensure that they would be in the Travers? No.
As for there being "no need for them to run in the Belmont," if there is no need for good horses to run in a million dollar, G1 Classic, this sport might as well pack it in right now.

I think his intent was that if we see the same BIG 3 in the Belmont,
then I fear a 6 horse field, completed with 2 maidens and a plodder.
That's exaggerating a bit, but you know what I mean. I think it will be a more exciting race if we have a larger, more diverse group.

Obviously if Street Sense wins the Preakness, then my opinion is greatly changed, but the prospect of these 2 (or 3) facing off again in 3 weeks doesn't really do much for me as a fan.

miraja2 · #5 05-23-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemoncrush

I think his intent was that if we see the same BIG 3 in the Belmont,
then I fear a 6 horse field, completed with 2 maidens and a plodder.
That's exaggerating a bit, but you know what I mean. I think it will be a more exciting race if we have a larger, more diverse group.

Obviously if Street Sense wins the Preakness, then my opinion is greatly changed, but the prospect of these 2 (or 3) facing off again in 3 weeks doesn't really do much for me as a fan.

Just so I understand you correctly, you hope that some of the big colts skip the race, because if they don't colts like Zanjero and Imawildandcrazyguy might be scared away? I think I would rather watch "the big three" than those two.
I guess I like to see the best horses compete in the best races.
I guess I am just too old-fashioned in that regard.

slotdirt · #6 05-23-2007, 09:51 AM

I would rather see Hard Spun, Curlin, and Street Sense in a three horse Belmont than not see those three and have some nag win the race.

horseofcourse · #7 05-23-2007, 10:23 AM

It is hard to fathom how Hard Spun, Street Sense, and Curlin lining up again in two weeks and going at it would be bad for racing. Rags to Riches should run in the race as well.

King Glorious · #8 05-23-2007, 11:09 AM

If I could somehow see the future and know that even if they run Belmont that they would be back for the summer and fall, I would be all for them running. But recent history tells me that this is not going to be the case. Haven't u all seen Smarty, Alex, Giacomo, Jazil, Bluegrass Cat, Empire Maker, Point Given, Charismatic, Monarchos, Silver Charm, and Real Quiet? Various reasons for their not running. Some physical, some economical. I understand that but the end result is that they still did not run. I can't guarantee that skipping the Belmont would mean they would be there for the Haskell and Travers and more. But I don't like the current trend. Over the past 10 seasons, we've had 11 horses that have won at least one TC race while competing in all three races. Of those 11, eight of them failed to finish their 3yo seasons. Seven of those eight didn't run again that year after the Belmont. For a sport that's so entrenched in remembering history and jinx' and trends, I'm surprised this one isn't being looked at more.

Mortimer · #9 05-23-2007, 11:11 AM

What kind of buy out inducement would it take?

Danzig · #10 05-23-2007, 11:13 AM

well, obviously we'd all be geniuses if we could know the future, and decide based on that knowledge....

i believe if a horse is ready now, you run them now. if they seem to need a break, give them one. but to 'save' a horse for later may not work at all-skip a race now, then miss later as well, which of course could happen--there is no guarantee of anything.
can't help thinking tho that it wasn't just the rigors of racing that kept some of these latest contenders from running again post-t.c.

lemoncrush · #11 05-23-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

Just so I understand you correctly, you hope that some of the big colts skip the race, because if they don't colts like Zanjero and Imawildandcrazyguy might be scared away? I think I would rather watch "the big three" than those two.
I guess I like to see the best horses compete in the best races.
I guess I am just too old-fashioned in that regard.

No, not suggesting that. Just that I would like to see Rags to Riches, Nobiz, Great Hunter and Tiago all take a shot at this. As long as their is no triple crown on the line, I'm not sure how excited I am to see the big 3 again in a small field, but it is partially based from a betting standpoint.

Just because Great Hunter and Tiago didn't perform well in the Derby, doesn't mean they're nags or have no shot in the Belmont. I think both will be serious factors if they go, as would Rags to Riches. If all HS, SS and Curlin all go, I think some of these horses point elsewhere.