Pletcher and his TC Comments

I think Todd gives the best interview as anyone when it comes to horse racing. He is intelligent and answers the question without bashing anyone or touting his own talent. Todd is a good man and a good trainer. I just disagree with him when it comes to an incentive to race in the TC.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I think Todd gives the best interview as anyone when it comes to horse racing. He is intelligent and answers the question without bashing anyone or touting his own talent. Todd is a good man and a good trainer. I just disagree with him when it comes to an incentive to race in the TC.

Euro thats fine, and phrased like that i respect the comment. I actually don't really disagree. I just think that Tood gave an honest opinion when asked a question and doesnt deserve grief for it.
Noone does the sport prouder than Todd. Hes always meticulous in his appearance and his speech. If we had more guys like Todd in the game we would all be better off. I think hes getting a bum rap. If that makes me a bully then so be it.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Euro thats fine, and phrased like that i respect the comment. I actually don't really disagree. I just think that Tood gave an honest opinion when asked a question and doesnt deserve grief for it.
Noone does the sport prouder than Todd. Hes always meticulous in his appearance and his speech. If we had more guys like Todd in the game we would all be better off. I think hes getting a bum rap. If that makes me a bully then so be it.

I dont think Todd should get any grief about what he said. His answer was well thought out and makes sense. And you are right, Todd always looks good and acts in a very dignified way.

Oracle--do you think there should be an incentive? If so--what would it be?

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I dont think Todd should get any grief about what he said. His answer was well thought out and makes sense. And you are right, Todd always looks good and acts in a very dignified way.

Oracle--do you think there should be an incentive? If so--what would it be?

I agree with you, no incentive. But I don't really think thats what Todd was getting at. reread his comments again, read between the lines, hes eluding to the spacing of the races and not coming out and saying it. Noone wants to be known as the guy who is knocking tradition. But I think thats what he was eluding to.

Originally Posted by oracle80

I agree with you, no incentive. But I don't really think thats what Todd was getting at. reread his comments again, read between the lines, hes eluding to the spacing of the races and not coming out and saying it. Noone wants to be known as the guy who is knocking tradition. But I think thats what he was eluding to.

I read it two ways - the first was the spacing and the second was if you keep the spacing as it is, then offer some sort of incentive to run my horse back in two weeks and then 3 weeks.

Originally Posted by eurobounce

I read it two ways - the first was the spacing and the second was if you keep the spacing as it is, then offer some sort of incentive to run my horse back in two weeks and then 3 weeks.

Well I mean hes right. Noone is ever gonna tell you that they like taht spacing. If you maybe offered a bonus to a horse who runs in all three as long as he WINS at leats one leg, maybe you geta few extra horses in the Preakness.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Well I mean hes right. Noone is ever gonna tell you that they like taht spacing. If you maybe offered a bonus to a horse who runs in all three as long as he WINS at leats one leg, maybe you geta few extra horses in the Preakness.

I am not a huge fan of the spacing and I am not a hug fan of tradition. I think tradition gets in the way of progress (at times). But they need to do something to encourage not only larger fields but more talented fields for the Belmont and Preakness. I think the simple answer is to raise the purse to $3mm and to make it 3 weeks before the Preakness and 4 weeks before the Belmont. That is 3 races in 7 weeks which is doable. Plus add in the extra 3 weeks of rest before the Derby and you are looking at well rested and more mature horses.