AQU: Fri/Sat Stakes

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

I really get annoyed when somebody comes on and says 'he got a big Beyer number so he must be a great horse'. First of all, I don't put much credence in speed numbers as a measure of quality, especially at the NY tracks (and a couple of others) where the numbers seem to be somewhat inflated. Quality is measured in head-to-head competition. In this case, this is a one-turn mile performance - how can that be compared to two-turn distances of 1 or 2 furlongs longer? The races are two different animals.

Where did anyone say that Daaher was a " great horse?" Find the post.

Secondly, who the hell cares what you think of Beyer figs? Hell, you call yourself " Pedigree Ann " and have displayed at best a cursory understanding of pedigree. I can only imagine what you know about speed figures. Judging by this post it's zero. But, since you are obviously in dire need of a lesson, and have shown a great willingness to learn on this site, here's a little help for you. Daaher ran 14/5s of a second faster than a Lukas runaway 2YO maiden winner earlier in the card. That's over sixteen lengths which equates to approximately 33 points. Considering the Lukas horse won by open lengths, over a couple of reasonably talented 2YOs, and had received two Beyer figures of 74, it's hardly a stretch to say that he ran a ran a figure of around 80. That would put Daaher's 114 right in line.

As for your comment about quality being measured in head to head competition.......ummmm he drowned recent Breeder's Cup winner Midnight Lute. Who exactly was he supposed to beat for you to have approved of his performance? And, if what you really meant was that he can't be compared to the 3YOs he mentioned, because they raced at different distances, well I think it is obvious to most that he wasn't necessarily saying Daaher was better than those horses, only that his performance certainly warranted discussion.

On your unfounded, and unsubstantiated comments of " bias " in the figs....well Daaher ran a 107 Beyer fig at Saratoga going 1 1/8 miles. Street Sense got a 105 Beyer at 1 1/8 in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga and a 108 at 1 1/4 in the Travers. What was the bias in those numbers at Saratoga that placed Daaher in fair comparison to this year's Derby winner? Plus, the 107, which also equaled Curlin's figure in the Belmont Stakes ( also run on a NY track ), that Daaher received was in just his 5th start. Believe it or not, horses often improve with racing, so it's not a stretch that he has surpassed at least some of those mentioned at this point.