Arthur's Tale out

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I have come to a sad realization, I think that it's unlikey I will ever get to see a horse win the triple crown.
Not that Arthur's Tale was the horse, but it just seems many of the three year olds (at least as of late) can't stay healthy enough to endure the entire Derby trail/TC series.

Is this an over reaction, or does anyone else feel the same way?

It's not simply soundness issues that keep horses from winning the Triple Crown. There have been at least a half dozen horses that arguably could have won the Triple Crown in the last 20 years that were felled by other factors.

[slotdirt]

I'm rather certain there were Triple Crowns to be found in the 2000's if not for rider error.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I'm rather certain there were Triple Crowns to be found in the 2000's if not for rider error.

not true.... i've had the privilege of mushing ALL 4 attempts of the accomplishment in person in the 2000's. I make streaks end!!!

-bt-

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by -BT-

not true.... i've had the privilege of mushing ALL 4 attempts of the accomplishment in person in the 2000's. I make streaks end!!!

-bt-

Do you have the same affect on Hockey? If so, could I offer you tickets for the first two home games in Washington?

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Do you have the same affect on Hockey? If so, could I offer you tickets for the first two home games in Washington?

if we can get out of the first round i'll test my streak for round 2

wish that was even an option for football

-bt-

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I'm rather certain there were Triple Crowns to be found in the 2000's if not for rider error.

Agree...

[Indian Charlie]

AP Indy.

Dinard.

I'm not even counting horses that never raced past 2 due to death or injury, like Grand Canyon, Swear, maybe Saratoga Six.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

A. P. Indy was '92

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

A. P. Indy was '92

Yep.

What's your point?

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Yep.

What's your point?

"I would guess the Derby trail has been derailing horses for more than just the last 20 years"

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

It's not simply soundness issues that keep horses from winning the Triple Crown. There have been at least a half dozen horses that arguably could have won the Triple Crown in the last 20 years that were felled by other factors.

Obviously it's not all about soundness, but my point has to do with the overall soundness of the breed. You hear talk and see threads about how horses today aren't what they were say 20 years ago. Is there a credence to this talk? Or maybe it's as easy as running your horse on some sort of consistent basis.

Possibly it's just a knee jerk reaction after seeing the probable favorite (with one of them looking like a legitimate threat for the TC) pull out the last two years and several horses this year have been scratched from races and pulled off the derby trail in all.

You would think (or at least I do), that if all this talk about the breeding weakness is true, wouldn't the issues just get worse as the years pass by?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Obviously it's not all about soundness, but my point has to do with the overall soundness of the breed. You hear talk and see threads about how horses today aren't what they were say 20 years ago. Is there a credence to this talk? Or maybe it's as easy as running your horse on some sort of consistent basis.

Possibly it's just a knee jerk reaction after seeing the probable favorite (with one of them looking like a legitimate threat for the TC) pull out the last two years and several horses this year have been scratched from races and pulled off the derby trail in all.

You would think (or at least I do), that if all this talk about the breeding weakness is true, wouldn't the issues just get worse as the years pass by?

Maybe, but are high profile horses getting knocked from the Derby a new phenomenon? I would guess the Derby trail has been derailing horses for more than just the last 20 years.

Just the other day, DrugS pointed out two from yesteryear in Sir Gaylord and Gen. Duke. Graustark and Buckpasser (from the same year--same rider, too) were also pretty high profile horses that didn't make it back in the day. I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Maybe, but are high profile horses getting knocked from the Derby a new phenomenon? I would guess the Derby trail has been derailing horses for more than just the last 20 years.

Just the other day, DrugS pointed out two from yesteryear in Sir Gaylord and Gen. Duke. Graustark and Buckpasser (from the same year--same rider, too) were also pretty high profile horses that didn't make it back in the day. I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Hoist the Flag and Devil's Bag are two others that come to mind as well.

[paulo537]

Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, War Emblem, Funny Cide, Smarty J, Big Brown. All Derby-Preakness winners within the past 15 years. Plenty of shots at it.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

If Jess Jackson doesn't buy RA after the KY Oaks - even Mine That Bird would have had a good chance at a sweep.

[slotdirt]

Funny that the two of the closest Triple Crown misses of recent vintage were Preakness-Belmont winners. A lot of the Derby-Preakness winners never had a chance in the Belmont in hindsight.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

If Jess Jackson doesn't buy RA after the KY Oaks - even Mine That Bird would have had a good chance at a sweep.

That's crazy talk.

Speaking of which, I think Rags to Riches might have been able to do it.