For all the Big Brown Boneheads

[SentToStud]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Just curious to how people feel. If Big Brown were to win the Belmont by 20 lengths in 2:29 3/5, how would you feel afterwards? Glad to finally have a TC winner or extremely upset that it had to happen this way?

How I feel would probably depend on who runs second.

I am just looking forward to the race. If he wins, that'll be great and I could care less who his owner is or that his trainer has had more suspensions than most.

I also won't care that 95% of the experts will say he beat nothing. They all said the same thing about Seattle Slew. If Brown wins the race and people don't take time to appreciate the accomplishment, then they can wallow in their overly self-righteous indignations. Then they can wait another 30 or 100 years for the next undefeated TC winner to come along.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by SentToStud

How I feel would probably depend on who runs second.

I am just looking forward to the race. If he wins, that'll be great and I could care less who his owner is or that his trainer has had more suspensions than most.

I also won't care that 95% of the experts will say he beat nothing. They all said the same thing about Seattle Slew. If Brown wins the race and people don't take time to appreciate the accomplishment, then they can wallow in their overly self-righteous indignations. Then they can wait another 30 or 100 years for the next undefeated TC winner to come along.

You act as though real racing fans are disappointed year after year that there is no TC winner....let alone an undefeated one. Real racing fans know what a truly special horse is and are excited by seeing it race. Sorry, but real racing fans are disheartened by horses that are retired before having the opportunity to show how good they may actually be.

When Big Brown takes on Curlin in the Fall and even runs a close second I will applaud him. Until then, barring a sensational performance, I will pass on accepting his accomplishments as remarkable. He is nothing more than a very nice horse beating up on mediocrities. Nothing wrong with that and I wish there were more of his kind around. However, pardon me if I don't get goose bumps when he romps over 7 overmatched, and at best moderately talented, rivals.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

You act as though real racing fans are disappointed year after year that there is no TC winner....let alone an undefeated one. Real racing fans know what a truly special horse is and are excited by seeing it race. Sorry, but real racing fans are disheartened by horses that are retired before having the opportunity to show how good they may actually be.

When Big Brown takes on Curlin in the Fall and even runs a close second I will applaud him. Until then, barring a sensational performance, I will pass on accepting his accomplishments as remarkable. He is nothing more than a very nice horse beating up on mediocrities. Nothing wrong with that and I wish there were more of his kind around. However, pardon me if I don't get goose bumps when he romps over 7 overmatched, and at best moderately talented, rivals.

That's close to how I feel. I'd rather have last year than this year, several good horses giving us several exciting races instead of one really good horse giving us three blowouts. I wish they would continue on but I've gotten so accustomed to not seeing it that I don't expect it anymore so I'm no longer disheartened. I'm not even holding my breath on a Big Brown vs. Curlin matchup because I feel like the odds are much more in favor against it happening. I feel like Big Brown is a very good horse, possibly even a great one. As you say, even a close second to Curlin would be ok with me although I have a feeling that many people would give him the same unfair treatment that they gave Bernardini for losing to Invasor, as if there was some shame in that. Didn't 3yo Affirmed lose to 4yo Seattle Slew and 3yo Spectacular Bid lost to 4yo Affirmed.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Until then, barring a sensational performance, I will pass on accepting his accomplishments as remarkable. He is nothing more than a very nice horse beating up on mediocrities.

While I agree with you in principle, I don't think it would kill you to give him a tad more credit. He didn't make his sophomore debut until March 5th. He turned in a very impressive effort in the FL Derby off of only one start and very light training in almost 7 months. And he hasn't been threatened while winning three Grade Is.

Denis of Cork is a very nice horse. I think Big Brown is more, if only slightly more.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by justindew

While I agree with you in principle, I don't think it would kill you to give him a tad more credit. He didn't make his sophomore debut until March 5th. He turned in a very impressive effort in the FL Derby off of only one start and very light training in almost 7 months. And he hasn't been threatened while winning three Grade Is.

Denis of Cork is a very nice horse. I think Big Brown is more, if only slightly more.

I give him plenty of credit. Just because I'm realistic doesn't mean I don't believe he's a very nice horse. How many times do I need to say it? What he isn't is as good, right now, as Curlin was at this point in 2007. Yes, the same Curlin who had pretty much a similar campaign. Yes, the same Curlin who has developed into a terrific horse but is no better, if even as good, as Skip Away. No knock there either. Skip Away was a marvelous horse. However, I don't see a lot of people saying he belongs in the same class as Seattle Slew. Thank God....because he doesn't. But, at least he ran many top notch races.

Denis of Cork is a very nice horse? Compared to what? Everything is relative. Using him as a comparison is probably unfair even to Big Brown. I should hope he is ten lengths better than Denis of Cork if he wins the TC. Hell, I should hope he is 15 lengths better.

I've seen a lot of wonderful racehorses. Maybe that's why I don't wet myself over ever reasonable horse that comes down the pike. I'm still waiting for another Go for Wand. If you want to see what a real champion is take a good look at her lifetime pps.

Denis of Cork? Give me a break.

[hockey2315]

Denis of Cork is nowhere close to Big Brown - however - I think he stands a better (although small) chance to upset BB than Casino Drive does. . .

[RollerDoc]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Denis of Cork is nowhere close to Big Brown - however - I think he stands a better (although small) chance to upset BB than Casino Drive does. . .

Is it me or did Borel ride Cork exactly the same way he rode Street Sense in the KD? Obviously with a much different result but he was way back there and flew up the rail passing almost all but two.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Denis of Cork? Give me a break.

Hey, I'm no Denis of Cork fan. But I think he's earned the distinction "very nice".

"Very nice" doesn't mean "great".

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by justindew

Hey, I'm no Denis of Cork fan. But I think he's earned the distinction "very nice".

"Very nice" doesn't mean "great".

He's " very nice " relative to his total crop. He's nowhere close relative to good horses.

[justindew]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

He's " very nice " relative to his total crop. He's nowhere close relative to good horses.

Like Zanjero and Nobiz?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I give him plenty of credit. Just because I'm realistic doesn't mean I don't believe he's a very nice horse. How many times do I need to say it? What he isn't is as good, right now, as Curlin was at this point in 2007. Yes, the same Curlin who had pretty much a similar campaign. Yes, the same Curlin who has developed into a terrific horse but is no better, if even as good, as Skip Away. No knock there either. Skip Away was a marvelous horse. However, I don't see a lot of people saying he belongs in the same class as Seattle Slew. Thank God....because he doesn't. But, at least he ran many top notch races.

Denis of Cork is a very nice horse? Compared to what? Everything is relative. Using him as a comparison is probably unfair even to Big Brown. I should hope he is ten lengths better than Denis of Cork if he wins the TC. Hell, I should hope he is 15 lengths better.

I've seen a lot of wonderful racehorses. Maybe that's why I don't wet myself over ever reasonable horse that comes down the pike. I'm still waiting for another Go for Wand. If you want to see what a real champion is take a good look at her lifetime pps.

Denis of Cork? Give me a break.

i feel the same way about it, excellent post.