Thoughts about the Triple Crown season

[GenuineRisk]

I was just looking at the NY Daily News back cover from Sunday, with Rags to Riches and "You Go, Girl!" in big letters on it (taped up in my cubicle, in the space previously occupied by the May 6th back cover saying "Perfect Sense" that I tore down in despair on May 20th) and thought about what a great set of races we had this year- the first BC Juvy winner to win the Derby, a record time-tying Preakness won by a nose, and a thrilling stretch duel culminating in a filly winning the Belmont. What a great series this year. Short of a Triple Crown, I can't imagine 2008 being any better.

I was touched to find out one of my writing partners, after listening to me jabber Friday night with a friend over the phone about the race, taped the Belmont, ran home to watch it, and cried when Rags won.

And amused when my father called me two minutes after the race ended to say, "Did you watch the Belmont?"

"Dad," I said, "where do you think I am, right now?" Ah, parents...

One of my friends at the Belmont had a rough time handicapping and groused about how he was never coming to the track again on a stakes day. After the race he said, "I said I was never coming to the track again on a stakes day and it took two minutes and 28 seconds to change my mind."

Of course, any year I actually pick the Derby winner is a good year for me!

[Sightseek]

I agree all 3 races had a special something about them that left you very satisfied when it was all over.

[IrishofNDMan]

I had Win/Place/Show money on Hard Spun in the Derby, so when everyone let Street Sense through I was not at all satisfied.

[dellinger63]

The Triple crown was crescendo-like culminating with the Belmont, the best race I've seen in person. And with money on Rags it made cheering her on down the stretch all that much sweeter. :-)

[Storm Cadet]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

The Trple crown was crescendo-like culminating with Belmont, the best race I've seen in person. Each of the three races were great. And with money on Rags it made cheering her on down the stretch all that much sweeter. :-)

Agree and this summers Travers, Haskell et all should be really fun to watch and wager. Lots of good 3yo's and some great turf racers still knocking heads in the big stakes...and we still have the usual 2yo's to keep and eye on for the Hopeful and BC at Monmouth.

[parsixfarms]

All three races had thoroughly deserving horses emerge victorious. With the exception of Street Sense, however, I just wish I could have felt the same way about the horses' connections.

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

The Triple crown was crescendo-like culminating with the Belmont, the best race I've seen in person. And with money on Rags it made cheering her on down the stretch all that much sweeter. :-)

You saw a great race. A historic race. I think the Belmont is our best race and I am partial to Belmont Park as my favorite racetrack. I've seen three great races live, all at Belmont:
1977 - Forego ran down Honest Pleasure in the mud in the Marlboro
1978 - Seattle Slew beat Affirmed in the Marlboro (first time two TC winners met)
1999 - Victory Gallop ran down Real Quiet in the Belmont.

What a race you saw!

[_ed_]

All 3 races were amazing, this was easily my favourite Triple Crown season since I became interested in US racing in 2000.

If 2008 is half as good I'd be happy.

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I was just looking at the NY Daily News back cover from Sunday, with Rags to Riches and "You Go, Girl!" in big letters on it (taped up at in my cubicle, in the space previously occupied by the May 6th back cover saying "Perfect Sense" that I tore down in despair on May 20th) and thought about what a great set of races we had this year- the first BC Juvy winner to win the Derby, a record time-tying Preakness won by a nose, and a thrilling stretch duel culminating in a filly winning the Belmont. What a great series this year. Short of a Triple Crown, I can't imagine 2008 being any better.

I was touched to find out one of my writing partners, after listening to me jabber Friday night with a friend over the phone about the race, taped the Belmont, ran home to watch it, and cried when Rags won.

And amused when my father called me two minutes after the race ended to say, "Did you watch the Belmont?"

"Dad," I said, "where do you think I am, right now?" Ah, parents...

One of my friends at the Belmont had a rough time handicapping and groused about how he was never coming to the track again on a stakes day. After the race he said, "I said I was never coming to the track again on a stakes day and it took two minutes and 28 seconds to change my mind."

Of course, any year I actually pick the Derby winner is a good year for me!

i second that, although i would much prefer if one of my personal favorites would be a winner, even of one jewel. i like street sense & rags to riches enough, but my loyalties are elsewhere - teuflesberg & octave.