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[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

The Belmont is a classic and is part of the triple crown and in that sense, imo, is more important than the travers or haskell. In terms of how much sense it makes, I think its a pretty dumb race.

Why subject a three year old to 12f on the dirt after a grueling spring campaign when that distance is irrelevant to modern racing in the US? Thats not to say that there aren't some really good belmonts run. At the same time, as soon as they moved the jcgc to 10f, it might have made sense to move the belmont in as well.

Dumb race? The thoroughbred was meant to run long distances. I'm glad that in the process of focusing on the wrong side (fast early) they are still recognizing a horse that can run a course of ground and there are still a few breeders out there breeding for distance. Give me a Summer Bird any day over an Eightyfiveinafifty.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Dumb race? The thoroughbred was meant to run long distances. I'm glad that in the process of focusing on the wrong side (fast early) they are still recognizing a horse that can run a course of ground and there are still a few breeders out there breeding for distance. Give me a Summer Bird any day over an Eightyfiveinafifty.

Your points are valid. Still, how many other dirt races are run at 12f? And if that is the case, what does it really prove in regard to today's horses? That they can stagger home less slow than the other staggerers?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Your points are valid. Still, how many other dirt races are run at 12f? And if that is the case, what does it really prove in regard to today's horses? That they can stagger home less slow than the other staggerers?

Heck, they stagger home in the Met Mile nowadays.

(all to change when the uber-fast Quality Road runs this year )

[Danzig]

i like that the belmont remains at 12f, even when many others have shortened. i find it a shame that others have cut their distance down-it's far more of a shame to me that they have done so, rather than belmont remaining at 12f. i think it's awful that horses aren't asked to do more later in their careers than they are in the spring of their 3 yo year.