Pletcher ... Same Old Story

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

No one's saying he should've beaten Street Sense.. But with five horses, you probably should run better than sixth..

I agree with you there. His horses certainly did not perform well. But even if one of his horses did hit the board, I think you guys would still be giving him just as hard of a time.

The main criticism I have been hearing here is that he didn't win. I don't think that criticism is fair because I don't think he could have won. If you want to criticize him for not having a single horse run well, then that is a fair criticism.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I agree with you there. His horses certainly did not perform well. But even if one of his horses did hit the board, I think you guys would still be giving him just as hard of a time.

The main criticism I have been hearing here is that he didn't win. I don't think that criticism is fair because I don't think he could have won. If you want to criticize him for not having a single horse run well, then that is a fair criticism.

My criticism is that he did no better than sixth. Had he run third and/or fourth, I would not have created this thread.

[Rupert Pupkin]

I have a question for you guys. If you were a trainer, what would be more important to you? Winning the Kentucky Derby or being the leading trainer every year. Would you rather be a John Shirreffs or a Michale Matz, guys that do fairly well and have won a Derby? Or would you rather be a Todd Pletcher or Bobby Frankel, guys that win $20 million a year in purses but have never won a Derby?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I have a question for you guys. If you were a trainer, what would be more important to you? Winning the Kentucky Derby or being the leading trainer every year. Would you rather be a John Shirreffs or a Michale Matz, guys that do fairly well and have won a Derby? Or would you rather be a Todd Pletcher or Bobby Frankel, guys that win $20 million a year in purses but have never won a Derby?

Won a Derby.
End of story.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by philcski

Won a Derby.
End of story.

Same with jockeys too? You'd rather be Calvin Borel than Garret Gomez?

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

Same with jockeys too? You'd rather be Calvin Borel than Garret Gomez?

Calvin isn't exactly a slouch when it comes to purse money, so yes.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by philcski

Calvin isn't exactly a slouch when it comes to purse money, so yes.

To each his own. I would rather do great all the time rather than be mediocre most of the time and have one big moment.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

To each his own. I would rather do great all the time rather than be mediocre most of the time and have one big moment.

I wouldn't call Gomez's riding "great all the time." That's for sure...

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

To each his own. I would rather do great all the time rather than be mediocre most of the time and have one big moment.

Would you rather be Jeter or A-Rod?

[Scurlogue Champ]

Originally Posted by philcski

Won a Derby.
End of story.

I would rather never have a Derby starter and have a stable half as good as Pletcher/Frankel.

And I would rather be in Gomez's shoes on a bad day than Calvin's on a good one.

Originally Posted by moodwalker

I would rather never have a Derby starter and have a stable half as good as Pletcher/Frankel.

And I would rather be in Gomez's shoes on a bad day than Calvin's on a good one.

It's tough to choose between being in Gomez or Borel's shoes. One taste of the yay and Gomez is broke again. If you choose to be in Borel's shoes you get that Cajun drawl and love your mama a little more than most would.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by moodwalker

I would rather never have a Derby starter and have a stable half as good as Pletcher/Frankel.

And I would rather be in Gomez's shoes on a bad day than Calvin's on a good one.

I agree 100%.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by moodwalker

I would rather never have a Derby starter and have a stable half as good as Pletcher/Frankel.

And I would rather be in Gomez's shoes on a bad day than Calvin's on a good one.

And run 6th, 8th, 9th, 16th, and 20th? No thanks.

Why?? Money isn't everything. The guy was one of the leading riders in Kentucky, and has been for quite a while. He does QUITE well for himself. He also has something that Gomez (and all other jockeys) would kill for, a win in the Kentucky Derby.

Ask John Velazquez whether he'd rather have his riding title from Saratoga or a win in the Kentucky Derby, and I guarantee the answer would be the Derby.

[Danzig]

i bet pletcher would give up a lot of those millions and riding titles to have derby win next to his name. history is kind to those who win the big ones. and as the years go by, the pressure will only mount.
is it fair? maybe not. but it's the way it is. even those who know nothing, care nothing, about horse racing have heard of the derby. it's the race. and the longer todd goes without, the more he'll want it. those who win all, set records, have legions of fans, admit that the big one is the one that means the most. the superbowl for football, the world series, the daytona 500, and the kentucky derby....

[timmgirvan]

and the July 4th Nathans World Championship Hot Dog eating Contest

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i bet pletcher would give up a lot of those millions and riding titles to have derby win next to his name. history is kind to those who win the big ones. and as the years go by, the pressure will only mount.
is it fair? maybe not. but it's the way it is. even those who know nothing, care nothing, about horse racing have heard of the derby. it's the race. and the longer todd goes without, the more he'll want it. those who win all, set records, have legions of fans, admit that the big one is the one that means the most. the superbowl for football, the world series, the daytona 500, and the kentucky derby....

I don't understand this. You are acting as though Todd has been training for 28 years and has never won a BC race or a Triple Crown race. Believe me, I am not carrying pom poms for him, and find the size of his stable troubling, but make no mistake.....he will win probably more than one Kentucky Derby, as well as Triple Crown races, and most likely sooner than later. History will most likely remember him as a trainer who won pretty much every Grade 1 race in America...including the ones in the Triple Crown.