Never Retreat: It's Not Over Yet

[OldDog]

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Never Retreat’s racing career is not over yet.

Never Retreat was scheduled to be retired following her 2011 finale in Hollywood Park’s Grade 1 Matriarch. But after finishing a disappointing third as the 4-5 favorite three weeks ago at Hollywood Park, trainer Chris Block decided to give his Grade 1 winner one last chance to show her stuff before heading off to the breeding shed this spring.

http://www.drf.com/news/gulfstream-p...end-career-win

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by OldDog

http://www.drf.com/news/gulfstream-p...end-career-win

I know it's a day late and a dollar short, but why was she odds-on in the Matriarch anyways? On paper, it was a pretty contentious race.

Anyways, not sure why a horse who spent most of her career in the second tier needs to make an extra start to "show what she can do".

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

I know it's a day late and a dollar short, but why was she odds-on in the Matriarch anyways? On paper, it was a pretty contentious race.

Anyways, not sure why a horse who spent most of her career in the second tier needs to make an extra start to "show what she can do".

Shes had a great overall year. A great year. Maybe she was a tad overbet, but was clearly the horse to beat. I guess she would have been fair around 7-5. How much higher could she possibly have been?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Shes had a great overall year. A great year. Maybe she was a tad overbet, but was clearly the horse to beat. I guess she would have been fair around 7-5. How much higher could she possibly have been?

Laughable. She had a great year at Keeneland and Woodbine. Elsewhere, she was her typical bridesmaid self. She failed as favorite 3 times. In the vast majority of her races this year, most of which were Grade 3, she was 4-1 odds or higher.

I guess people figured she turned the corner somehow in the First Lady simply because it's a Grade 1. Of course, she only beat 3yo Together in that one. Fitting that an also-rans from the Queen Elizabeth II took it to her at Hollywood.

[RockHardTen1985]

Whatever you say.... On another note, this is Uncle Mo's FB status....


Hey friends...doing great!!!! Since I'm the freshman sire at Coolmore I was in charge of putting up ALL the holiday decorations. The farm is 2000 acres.....took me 10 days!!!! It was easier running the Kelso in 1 minute 33 than this. Off to sleep for 2 days. Hope all is well!

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Whatever you say.... On another note, this is Uncle Mo's FB status....


Hey friends...doing great!!!! Since I'm the freshman sire at Coolmore I was in charge of putting up ALL the holiday decorations. The farm is 2000 acres.....took me 10 days!!!! It was easier running the Kelso in 1 minute 33 than this. Off to sleep for 2 days. Hope all is well!

Let me guess what your FB status says:

Another thread hijacked! Look at me!

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Laughable. She had a great year at Keeneland and Woodbine. Elsewhere, she was her typical bridesmaid self. She failed as favorite 3 times. In the vast majority of her races this year, most of which were Grade 3, she was 4-1 odds or higher.

I guess people figured she turned the corner somehow in the First Lady simply because it's a Grade 1. Of course, she only beat 3yo Together in that one. Fitting that an also-rans from the Queen Elizabeth II took it to her at Hollywood.

Ok.

Sure, whatever you say.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Laughable. She had a great year at Keeneland and Woodbine. Elsewhere, she was her typical bridesmaid self. She failed as favorite 3 times. In the vast majority of her races this year, most of which were Grade 3, she was 4-1 odds or higher.

I guess people figured she turned the corner somehow in the First Lady simply because it's a Grade 1. Of course, she only beat 3yo Together in that one. Fitting that an also-rans from the Queen Elizabeth II took it to her at Hollywood.

Always thought she was a bit of an underachiever who couldn't really get the job done against anything of serious quality.

Really nice horse, just not really special.

[OldDog]

An UPDATE, of sorts...

"Team Block’s Never Retreat narrowly beat out a pair of 3-year old champions in Inglorious and Pender Harbour to be named Canada’s Horse of the Year for 2011 at the 37th Sovereign Awards held at Woodbine the evening of April 5.

Never Retreat recorded 78 points in the voting for Horse of the Year, two more than Inglorious, who finished second."

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...se-of-the-year