Quote:
Originally Posted by ELA
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
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Yeah, as a Street Sense fan, I was also pretty glum that day.
The breeding thing really gets to a fan, though. I loved Street Sense, was sooo bummed when he lost the Preakness, and then when he didn't come to the Belmont, hopped entirely off the bandwagon because I figured what was the point in cheering for a horse whom I knew would only be around for a few more races? It's the hard thing-you get so emotionally attached to your favorites and then they're gone, just a few races after you had a chance to discover them. Sometimes I feel being a racing fan means living in a continual state of fear of disappointment.

And yet we still get back up after the inevitable disappointment and look for a new horse to champion. We're either eternally optimistic or very masochistic. Or both.
I think the people here get vocal on a public forum because for a lot of us, it's the only chance we really have to spend time with fellow racing fans, and you get overly excited talking about something you love so much. How lovely that you've had all night bull sessions on racing- for many of us, that's just not an option- not enough racing fans in our circles. So we yell and vent and brag and bemoan here.