Very Mixed Feelings

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I think it's safe to say if we ever have another triple crown winner, unless he's a gelding, there is a zero % chance they run at 4. There is just no way it will happen. And people have warmed up to Curlin a bit now. Maybe you more than others, but he's hardly a fan favorite.

It is extremely doubtful we'd ever see one run at 4 although there is at least a slight chance with certain owners. No chance in this case though.

[MaTH716]

I think that everyone brings up very valid points. I do think the competion or lack there of (so far) is an issue. Right now, he looks much the best of a shallow 3 year old pool. The fact that not one of the other derby horses are going to Pimlico speaks volumes. Maybe the owners are a little tough to root for too. Do they look at racing just for the bottom line and a way to make lots of money, or do they have that love/passion for the sport that so many of us here do? I have my own personal hangups about Dutrow. But all of them are unfair and based on hearsay. I do admit though watching the way that horse ran, 4-wide the whole way makes me think.... They were a very confident group going into the race with the 20 post. Kent D. kept him out of trouble and gave him a clean ride. I have no qualms about him. He did looked cool as a cucumber coming out of the jocks room on the way to the paddock before the race. Maybe he knows the horse is a monster. As far as horses running after if they should win the TC. Forget about 4, I don't even think you would see them make the Travers/Haskell. I think they would end up going right to the barn. That doesn't bother me as much, because these days (unfortunatley) it's just part of the game.

[NoLuvForPletch]

For me it's the human connections. It's hard to root for Dutrow. Period! In regards to the owners, the problem I have is with how they bought their way into the horse. If it were the sheiks, people would be batshit over it. I just feel differently about a situation like this where these guys are throwing money around after a horse has proven himself on the racetrack than I do for a homebred or an auction purchase. Not alot of effort goes into seeing BB air at Saratoga and then going to buy him.

Remember, these are the same geniuses that bought the mighty Lawrence the Roman last year trying to buy a Derby horse (Laugh). I'll still never understand how they got their money back after that brilliant move.

[Payson Dave]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I think that everyone brings up very valid points. I do think the competion or lack there of (so far) is an issue. Right now, he looks much the best of a shallow 3 year old pool. The fact that not one of the other derby horses are going to Pimlico speaks volumes. Maybe the owners are a little tough to root for too. Do they look at racing just for the bottom line and a way to make lots of money, or do they have that love/passion for the sport that so many of us here do? I have my own personal hangups about Dutrow. But all of them are unfair and based on hearsay. I do admit though watching the way that horse ran, 4-wide the whole way makes me think.... They were a very confident group going into the race with the 20 post. Kent D. kept him out of trouble and gave him a clean ride. I have no qualms about him. He did looked cool as a cucumber coming out of the jocks room on the way to the paddock before the race. Maybe he knows the horse is a monster. As far as horses running after if they should win the TC. Forget about 4, I don't even think you would see them make the Travers/Haskell. I think they would end up going right to the barn. That doesn't bother me as much, because these days (unfortunatley) it's just part of the game.

I gotta say that imho "that love/passion for the sport" are somewhat different things for horseplayers vs owners....I don't begrudge the owners who want to make a score....hell as a horseplayer I know I love it when I make one.