A weird trend I've noticed....

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

There were horses that broke their maidens at Delmar and Saratoga and went on to be 3yo champ, just not in their debut. Since the 3yo champion is always going to be a router, why is it surprising that no champ wins first out of the box at 5 or 5.5 furlongs?

Also, like btw says, before the BC, many champs won at Saratoga, they had just run numerous times already.

Affirmed (Belmont Park) & Afleet Alex (Deleware) did just to name a few, however I do not know the distance they were running at.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Affirmed (Belmont Park) & Afleet Alex (Deleware) did just to name a few, however I do not know the distance they were running at.

I should have added in July or August against top competition, which is what I was trying to convey (obviously poorly).

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Affirmed (Belmont Park) & Afleet Alex (Deleware) did just to name a few, however I do not know the distance they were running at.

Secretariat also had won prior to his running at Saratoga (first race there was an allowance). I believe AA had won at 5F (MSW) and 5.5F (ALW) at Delaware prior to running in the Sanford. Affirmed, I believe he started at 5.5F although I could definitely be wrong on that one.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by philcski

Secretariat also had won prior to his running at Saratoga (first race there was an allowance). I believe AA had won at 5F (MSW) and 5.5F (ALW) at Delaware prior to running in the Sanford. Affirmed, I believe he started at 5.5F although I could definitely be wrong on that one.

Affirmed had already won at least two stakes. He certainly won at least one in NY and the Hollywood Juvenile before shipping to Saratoga and winning the Sanford ( I think it was the Sanford and not the Special ) and Hopeful.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Affirmed had already won at least two stakes. He certainly won at least one in NY and the Hollywood Juvenile before shipping to Saratoga and winning the Sanford ( I think it was the Sanford and not the Special ) and Hopeful.

This I'm sure of to be correct.

Maybe I'm thinking of the NY stakes at 5.5F in his PP's but I can't confirm that, they've eliminated basically every 2YO stake before Saratoga now (I think just the Tremont will remain this year.)

Affirmed was a flat out incredible racehorse, one I would have loved to see in person. Maybe the most underrated of all time, considering the talent he lined up against...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by philcski

This I'm sure of to be correct.

Maybe I'm thinking of the NY stakes at 5.5F in his PP's but I can't confirm that, they've eliminated basically every 2YO stake before Saratoga now (I think just the Tremont will remain this year.)

Affirmed was a flat out incredible racehorse, one I would have loved to see in person. Maybe the most underrated of all time, considering the talent he lined up against...

How can they run them when they don't fill? Four for that VERY exciting Tremont last July.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

How can they run them when they don't fill? Four for that VERY exciting Tremont last July.

I almost wrote that in... does this mean they expect 3 this year?

Perhaps they should replace it with the Watertown for NYB fillies 3 and up on turf instead. Those races always overfill!

While we're at it, how about the Plattsburgh for NYB's at 6.5F, and the New Rochelle for NYB's at 5F on turf, and the Binghamton for NYB's at 8F on dirt, and...

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by philcski

I almost wrote that in... does this mean they expect 3 this year?

Perhaps they should replace it with the Watertown for NYB fillies 3 and up on turf instead. Those races always overfill!

While we're at it, how about the Plattsburgh for NYB's at 6.5F, and the New Rochelle for NYB's at 5F on turf, and the Binghamton for NYB's at 8F on dirt, and...

I'll get back to you after I vomit.