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Originally Posted by GenuineRisk
Eric, as I remember, right after Street Sense lost the Preakness, Nafzger was asked about the Belmont and his response was, "What's the point?" I think Nafzger is a terrific trainer, and I never get tired of that clip of him with Frances Gentner after Unbridled won the Derby, but as a racing fan, Street Sense fan, (and NYer), I felt a little kicked in the teeth about the Belmont. I understand racing owners and trainers have to be half sportsmen and half investment portfolio managers, because of breeding values being so much higher than racing values, but, as a result, racing fans will be disappointed when a race is skipped because it won't help breeding value, and as this board shows, racing fans tend not to be quiet about voicing displeasure. (Which is true of all sports fans, actually. Maybe not tennis. At least not during the game. Or golf. I don't think I recall anyone yelling, "You suck!" at the Masters. That would be pretty hilarious, actually...)
On the other hand, had Street Sense gone into the Belmont, Rags to Riches would not have, and that duel down the stretch was pretty awesome to watch. Maybe it would have been a better race with SS in it, but I was pretty happy with it as it was.
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I agree. However, I also see it slightly different. When Nafzger was asked about the Belmont, I think, in part, he was still somewhat disappointed that they got beat in MD. Maybe it wasn't the most PC thing to say, but I think there was an emotional element to it. Street Sense went by Curlin, pretty easy, looked like a winner -- then came the "we got it" -- and they didn't. A nuance, a beaten horse comes back and takes away all hopes of possible immortality.
I understand fans get disappointed, and are vocal. I am too. I just don't always voice it in a public forum. I could sit around with Bob Fox, Andy and Steve and talk about this stuff all night long. I've done it. However, it's also about what happens next, after the disappointment. Different people are wired differently.
Eric