9/18 (LaD): Super Derby (G2)

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Linny

This race, like many others is a victim of trainers interest in more time between races. They want to space their horses' races at 6 week intervals and as such, the idea of Travers-Super Derby-Goodwood (or JCGC) is no longer acceptable.
September has become the "lost month" in racing, esp when the BC is late. Meets like Saratoga and Del Mar grab leading BC candidates with big money finales like the Pac Classic, Woodward, Travers plus big events for other divisions. After that, "six weeks" takes you into October and those big weekends at BEL, SA and KEE that Travis mentioned. From there, it's on to the Cup

This point is spot-on. Trainers demand spacing...how many times in recent years have we seend...Travers to BC, Pac Classic to BC, Woodward to BC, ______ race to similar BC race.

This is part of the reason I look down on the arguments that races such as the Super Derby and others are drawing "bad fields" - it's comparing two completely different periods in horse racing. Even eight to ten years ago, I'd argue things were different.

Overall, the rest of the racing world is often completely different than North America on this fact as well. Horses might have longer layoffs (due to racing seasonality), but will often run a load of races in short periods of time.

Similarly, I can only hope that the declining auction receipts, as seen this week, will encourage a reduction in stud fees, which will result in horses racing longer so as to make their stud prospects more viable, and stand out versus others.

Trainers demand spacing because most of them are morons who bow down to the sheets/tg gods. Not all horses are alike and just like in any sport champions are made through adversity and how many times they win.

Your arguments are null and void and only contribute to this sport being a virtual unknown to most sport fans. If this bs of 6 week spacing continues you'll more than likely see cornhole pass horse racing in terms of popularity.

[CSC]

93 Super Derby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qHvz4Fqzk0

[Linny]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Trainers demand spacing because most of them are morons who bow down to the sheets/tg gods. Not all horses are alike and just like in any sport champions are made through adversity and how many times they win.

Your arguments are null and void and only contribute to this sport being a virtual unknown to most sport fans. If this bs of 6 week spacing continues you'll more than likely see cornhole pass horse racing in terms of popularity.

Is this directed at me? The fact is that trainers want 6 weeks, not that I think it's a good idea. Read the last paragraph, the part where I sing the praises of horses returning on short rest and winning stakes.

It wasn't directed at you.

[Linny]

Good. I dislike the 6-8 week spacing as much as anyone and have seen it trickle down into allowance races thus hurting meet like Saratoga which is forced to use $35kN2L grass races to make up a card.

[MISTERGEE]

has anyone ever made a scientific study to see if animals who run 2 minutes at most have any physical differences in capacities after 4 weeks, or 5 weeks, or 6 weeks ar any period of time for that matter?

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by MISTERGEE

has anyone ever made a scientific study to see if animals who run 2 minutes at most have any physical differences in capacities after 4 weeks, or 5 weeks, or 6 weeks ar any period of time for that matter?

Would be interesting.

Two horses of interest comes to mind, a Dubai-based runner named League Champion, who runs for trainer Rashed Bouresly. Of course, no lasix used here, and if you bleed, you wouldn't be allowed to run anyway until clearing a vet. The competition in some of these races wasn't half bad.

20-Mar-09 JEB SHADWELL 1200 Good (d) 85-100 5/16
13-Mar-09 JEB JEBEL ALI SPRI.. 1000 Good (d) Listed 9/16
27-Feb-09 JEB JEBEL ALI SPRI.. 1000 Good (d) Cond 4/16
26-Feb-09 NAD MEYDAN BUSINES.. 1200 Gd/Fm (T) Cond 8/10
20-Feb-09 NAD ETISALAT BLACK.. 1300 Good (T) 95-110 5/10
12-Feb-09 NAD GNADS4U 1400 Fast (d) 95-110 6/10
05-Feb-09 NAD BAHRI 1400 Fast (d) 90-105 5/16
29-Jan-09 NAD DUBAL POWER DASH 1000 Fast (d) 90-105 5/16
23-Jan-09 JEB SHADWELL STABLES 1200 Good (d) 75-100 1/13
22-Jan-09 NAD AL SHINDAGHA S.. 1200 Fast (d) G3 4/12

Or another horse by the same trainer...Star Crowned

20-Feb-09 NAD ETISALAT WASEL.. 1200 Fast (d) 95+ 2/9
12-Feb-09 NAD INSIDEOUT TROPHY 1100 Fast (d) Cond 2/11
05-Feb-09 NAD MARJU TROPHY 1300 Good (T) 100+ 5/12
22-Jan-09 NAD AL SHINDAGHA S.. 1200 Fast (d) G3 2/12
05-Dec-08 JEB SHADWELL FARM 1600 Good (d) Cond 3/8
21-Nov-08 JEB DERRINSTOWN STUD 1000 Fast (d) Cond 1/12
29-Mar-08 NAD DUBAI GOLDEN S.. 1200 Fast (d) G1 3/15

[Slewbopper]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

T
Your arguments are null and void and only contribute to this sport being a virtual unknown to most sport fans. If this bs of 6 week spacing continues you'll more than likely see cornhole pass horse racing in terms of popularity.

Yep, we will never see a horse like Easy Goer in '89 winning the Whitney, Travers, Woodward, and JCGC (at 1 1/2) and then running in the BCC three weeks later, or Slew O Gold in '84 winning the Whitney, Marlboro, Woodward, and JCGC (at 1 1/2) and then running in the BCC three weeks later.

There was a time in the not so distant past when there was a big race every weekend at Belmont. Now Belmont basically has two big days. This year it is Oct 3 and Oct 10. 8 G1s are run on two Saturdays. It is hard to maintain interest when everything is so spread out. The Woodward and Pac Classic were 2 weeks ago. We still have to wait another two weeks for any meaningful races. All these Grade 2 3 yo Derbies with inflated purses do nothing for me.

[Travis Stone]

I hope everyone who joins us today has a wonderful time. I checked last night and all our premium seating options (suites, Harrah's Club, Skyroom) are sold-out.

And a quick look at the radar shows no "green blobs" ... enjoy!

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Slewbopper

Yep, we will never see a horse like Easy Goer in '89 winning the Whitney, Travers, Woodward, and JCGC (at 1 1/2) and then running in the BCC three weeks later, or Slew O Gold in '84 winning the Whitney, Marlboro, Woodward, and JCGC (at 1 1/2) and then running in the BCC three weeks later.

There was a time in the not so distant past when there was a big race every weekend at Belmont. Now Belmont basically has two big days. This year it is Oct 3 and Oct 10. 8 G1s are run on two Saturdays. It is hard to maintain interest when everything is so spread out. The Woodward and Pac Classic were 2 weeks ago. We still have to wait another two weeks for any meaningful races. All these Grade 2 3 yo Derbies with inflated purses do nothing for me.

Exactly. And this was with the BC around so why people blame the BC for the change in training philosophies is beyond me.