I don't like to get into the debates, however, in this case I'll throw my hat in the ring. First, and don't attack me for saying this, however, I was never -- never -- a fan of Hard Spun . . . not until Saturday. For whatever, reason, I just wasn't a fan. I didn't think he'd be there in the Derby, but could be in the Preakness. Regardless, I think unlike many others, I can bifurcate "betting" from who I like, am rooting for, etc. Regardless as well, I had the exacta both ways.
After the trip he got, and doing what he did -- at a certain point, coming down the stretch on Saturday, I was rooting for this horse. Prior to this race, like I said, I was never a fan. One thing I did think was that he was the "toughest" of the 3yo's. How can you not appreciate showing up to every dance, time and time again, doing the dirty work for the most part, and accomplishing what this colt has accomplished. Are there things people can knock him on? Sure, it's always easy to be a critic (thanks to Rick Pitino for the line). I am sure some will say he should have gotten third in the Belmont. Whatever, doesn't matter. Saturday should have turned critics into fans.
Curlin -- I think Curlin had an incredible amount of talent and potential. I thought, he had the most "natural" or "raw" talent. Doing what he did -- in his third, fourth, fifth, and sixth lifetime stars? He was hanging and banging with the best colts going -- like them or not -- as an unseasoned, inexperienced colt. I just thought this horse was getting better, learning, moving forward, and getting tougher. I thought that if he kept going, we could see one hell of a horse come summer -- if and only if he didn't fall victim to "too much too soon" and I am not sure if that was/is the case. This horse had incredible talent. He was asked for a great deal, very early on. His Monmouth race was enigmatic to some extent. Sure, I would have liked to see a more "even" track and would have liked to see him "run" and put in more of a "run", but it is what it is.
Street Sense -- what do you have to say about this horse. Are some going to fault him for not winning the Preakness? I am sure they are. Will some/many fault him for not showing up to the Belmont? I think so, and personally I think that's ludicrous. Will they question the Travers? I guess so as well.
Any Given Saturday -- I liked him in the Monmouth race. I thought he could beat Curlin only because of the track, the way it plays, etc. I thought Curlin, if he (and the talent/ability) showed up could overcome it. I did not think AGS was THAT kind of horse. I think in that race, he overachieved and outran what I thought he could do all things considered. I know a lot of people, people's who have opinion I respect, horsemen, trainers, jockeys, handicappers, who share the same opinion. That performance was a bit of a surprise. Maybe he turned the corner and stepped up. I guess we will soon see.
Anway, I hope all of them come back sound, fit, healthy and we can see them all at their best.
Eric
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