Raven's Pass Retired

Pedigree Ann · #1 11-09-2008, 09:42 AM

The shame is that Raven's Pass may just be coming into his best form. His half-brother Gygistar was good at 2, not so good at 3, and best at 4 and 5. Henry's advantage earlier in the year may have been due to earlier maturity and he may not get any better than he has been this year, so I don't mind him retiring at the this point. But not being able to see Raven's Pass at his best (potentially) as a 4yo is up there with not seeing Holy Roman Emperor at 3 - a decision made because the breeding 'tail' is wagging the racing 'dog'.

blackthroatedwind · #2 11-09-2008, 09:52 AM

Gygistar was never good.

miraja2 · #3 11-09-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

His half-brother Gygistar was good at 2, not so good at 3, and best at 4 and 5.

Am I thinking of the wrong horse or forgetting something important? I thought he won the Kings Bishop and the Dwyer at age 3 and then never won a big race as an older horse.
Maybe I'm forgetting something, but if not, what makes you say that he was better as an older horse than as a 3yo?

Danzig · #4 11-09-2008, 10:21 AM

i'd think his best was at three, and then his second best year was at six.

Danzig · #5 11-09-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

Am I thinking of the wrong horse or forgetting something important? I thought he won the Kings Bishop and the Dwyer at age 3 and then never won a big race as an older horse.
Maybe I'm forgetting something, but if not, what makes you say that he was better as an older horse than as a 3yo?

no, you've got the right one. he won a gr 1 and 2 gr 2's at three, and managed one gr 3 win at six. definitely best his second season of racing.

blackthroatedwind · #6 11-09-2008, 11:29 AM

I'm sure Pedigree Ann will return contritely.

miraja2 · #7 11-09-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I'm sure Pedigree Ann will return contritely.

I think she probably meant to say Gigawatt instead of Gygistar.
Gygistar and Raven's Pass aren't actually even related, so it was probably just a typo on her part.

However, I'm not sure the argument has a lot more validity with Gigawatt.

blackthroatedwind · #8 11-09-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

I think she probably meant to say Gigawatt instead of Gygistar.
Gygistar and Raven's Pass aren't actually even related, so it was probably just a typo on her part.

However, I'm not sure the argument has a lot more validity with Gigawatt.

You're right....about all of it. Though, Fearless Leader may disagree.

RolloTomasi · #9 11-09-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

You're right....about all of it. Though, Fearless Leader may disagree.

That was a classic hit-and-run post. Not only do we get the obligatory pedantic mutterings, but the whole basis of it lies on a glaring botch of bloodlines from someone with the word "Pedigree" in their screenname.

The best part for me, however, has to be the justification for Henrythenavigator's early retirement from racing:

Henry's advantage earlier in the year may have been due to earlier maturity and he may not get any better than he has been this year

Yeah. Cuz no one is interested in seeing him run again if he can't top his 4-time Group 1-winning campaign. Don't need him around.

Completely irresponsible, yet the board is all the better for it.