I'll be the First to ask?

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

I'm not disagreeing in general with the premise of your post, I just feel differently -- but c'mon, aren't you being just a smidge intellectually dishonest in trying to compare the Kentucky Oaks for a 3yo filly with the Derby Trial, Peter Pan, or Withers?

I don't have a problem with anyone who thinks she should go to the Derby, I just don't. On the other hand, your comparison at the end of outrageous.

Maybe it is because of the names of the races. Of course the Oaks is a much more important race than those three that I named and has much more meaning and looks better on the resume. But I do think that the difference between the Derby and the Oaks is even bigger than the gap between the Oaks and those other races. I'm only saying that the concept is the same. Skipping the big race for a lesser one that you have a bigger chance of winning.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Maybe it is because of the names of the races. Of course the Oaks is a much more important race than those three that I named and has much more meaning and looks better on the resume. But I do think that the difference between the Derby and the Oaks is even bigger than the gap between the Oaks and those other races. I'm only saying that the concept is the same. Skipping the big race for a lesser one that you have a bigger chance of winning.

Fair enough -- I just think that lots of people are acting like winning the Kentucky Oaks is some sort of crappy consolation prize.

Do I think she could potentially factor in the Derby? Absolutely. Do I think she'd be better served winning for fun in the Oaks instead of taking the chance of not coming home with either? Absolutely.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

Fair enough -- I just think that lots of people are acting like winning the Kentucky Oaks is some sort of crappy consolation prize.

Do I think she could potentially factor in the Derby? Absolutely. Do I think she'd be better served winning for fun in the Oaks instead of taking the chance of not coming home with either? Absolutely.

The Oaks is a great prize to win. I would never suggest otherwise. But there's going to be a filly that wins the Oaks every year. There aren't going to be many chances when you have a filly with a legitimate chance to win the Derby. Quick, name the last three Oaks winners. Quick, name the three fillies that have won the Derby.

My question to you is how is the horse better served? I feel like either decision made would be for the benefit of the owner's ego. The horse is going to go out there and run hard either way. I think she'd do more for her championship aspirations to hit the board in the Derby than to win the Oaks. Assuming of course that she finishes the season and stays at her current level.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

The Oaks is a great prize to win. I would never suggest otherwise. But there's going to be a filly that wins the Oaks every year. There aren't going to be many chances when you have a filly with a legitimate chance to win the Derby. Quick, name the last three Oaks winners. Quick, name the three fillies that have won the Derby.

My question to you is how is the horse better served? I feel like either decision made would be for the benefit of the owner's ego. The horse is going to go out there and run hard either way. I think she'd do more for her championship aspirations to hit the board in the Derby than to win the Oaks. Assuming of course that she finishes the season and stays at her current level.

Sorry, I didn't mean that Rachel Alexandra herself would be better served...I'm pretty sure she doesn't care.

And it's probably sad, but your rhetorical question didn't work...I actually thought of the last three Oaks winners right off the top of my head and had to think about the Derby winners for a minute.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

Sorry, I didn't mean that Rachel Alexandra herself would be better served...I'm pretty sure she doesn't care.

And it's probably sad, but your rhetorical question didn't work...I actually thought of the last three Oaks winners right off the top of my head and had to think about the Derby winners for a minute.

Lol. Ok. It works on most people. I can't even think of them. I know Proud Spell only.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Lol. Ok. It works on most people. I can't even think of them. I know Proud Spell only.

Um, yea, that Lemons Forever is right on the tip of my tongue and Derby-winning fillies aren't probably says something....

[King Glorious]

For me, it was odd that I couldn't for the life of me remember that Rags won the race but I'll never forget her Belmont win.