WOW

[peetsa]

Originally Posted by todko

SS got lucky in the Derby. He had a dream trip while Curlin had a nightmare ride.

Street Sense had nothing left.

Curlin didn't hang -- he motored by and tied the Preakness record. A better jock and he would have been the Derby champ too.

Curlin wouldn't have won the Derby even if he had Eddie Arcaro on him!!! What a moronic statement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[todko]

I hope they meet again soon. I doubt they will -- I think Nafzger has seen all he needed to see.

SS's connections were very arrogant.

[todko]

Tell me that there is no arrogance here:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05192007...y_kerrison.htm

Yeah, Borel says Curlin, "hasn't stepped up to the plate." And Nafzger says, "it's going to be a fun race."

Curlin stepped up to the plate and I wonder how much fun Nafzger is having today. With their attitude they deserved what they got.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by todko

Tell me that there is no arrogance here:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05192007...y_kerrison.htm

Yeah, Borel says Curlin, "hasn't stepped up to the plate." And Nafzger says, "it's going to be a fun race."

Curlin stepped up to the plate and I wonder how much fun Nafzger is having today. With their attitude they deserved what they got.

You want to count those quotes and confidence in their horse as arrogance, go ahead. You seem to be able to only deal in imperatives. To me, it's rare we ever get any real outgoing comments from anyone in the game. While I'm sure he's disappointed, Carl Nafzger will be as happy today as he was two weeks ago. His training career is ending this year, and his accomplishments speak for themselves. Calvin Borel won himself a Derby, and Robby Albarado won himself a Preakness. You aren't aware of it, but Steve Asmussen was 'guaranteeing' a Derby win in conversations two weeks ago. Was that 'arrogance'? You'd think everyone would exit these first two classic events thrilled that we've got 2, 3 with Hard Spun, authentic racehorses of real quality.. But you seem anxious to portray one set of connections as deserving to be beaten. It's silly.

[GenuineRisk]

Nafzger seems to be getting over it and is now looking forward to a rivalry. Talk about glass half full. Good for him. I'm bummed they won't go to the Belmont, though.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39032

[herkhorse]

WOW Indeed! What a great race! This one and The Tampa race were the best in the 3 year old campaign this year. Curlin was the best and you could see after the race he ran his heart out! Love to see dogfights like that in the stretch.
Don't think it really mattered in the end, but being a Hard Spun fan I was bummed out when Pino moved him when he did- all week long he was talking about being patient, but when the time came he pulled the trigger too soon. Like I said though it probably didn't matter- there were 2 better horses in the race.
Don't know if any of the top 3 should go to the Belmont at this point ,but we'll see.

[Zippy Chippy]

That was an incredible race! You know it's good when you lose $20 by a nose and still say to yourself, "Damn, that was great!" The way I see it, we have two outstanding racehorses here, and one of them just had a little bit more left in the tank at the end. I can't argue with the ride by either jockey.

Hard Spun, on the other hand, was moved way too early. I can't understand why Pino thought he had to jump into that speed duel with Xchanger and Flying First Class. These two speedballs were clearly going to burn themselves out at that pace. Unless Hard Spun hates taking dirt to the face, there was no reason to chase the pretenders instead of waiting for the contenders.

Can't wait for the rematch-- whenever it may be . . .

[ninetoone]

I think the final time says it all. Great race by both & someone had to lose the head bob.

[disappearingdan_akaplaya]

Originally Posted by todko

I hope they meet again soon. I doubt they will -- I think Nafzger has seen all he needed to see.

SS's connections were very arrogant.

i think they were just the opposite

[disappearingdan_akaplaya]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

It was definitely a boneheaded ride by Pino. I doubt Hard Spun wins, but he sure could have been closer. Oh well... I hope they opt to skip the Belmont with Hard Spun.

well the horse ran his eyeballs out in the derby and ya gotta wonder how much starch that mighta took outta him, pretty sure they will skip the belmont with him. as far as the ice cream man's(pino) ride went yesterday im sure he wanted to get some momentum built up be4 the same horse that down in louisville made his move

[Samarta]

After a lot of analysis, here is what I've come up with......

First Hard Spun's race.....not much else to say other than he got a horrible ride....I think the whole camp talked themselves right into that high cruising speed theory and Pino just let him go and thought as long as he wasn't riding him, he would have plenty left in the tank because he was just "cruising"....well he was toast at the top of the stretch...I think it's time for the connections to re-evaluate some things because he is a very nice horse....

The race that Curlin and Street Sense had is something that HBO documentaries are made of....The post Derby ride with Nafziger and Borel....the friendship between Borel and Albarado....the story of Curlin's connections and how they got there....and then the race.....Curlin almost goes head over heels at the kick....the blistering pace.....Borel and Street Sense pulling off another rail skimming move on the turn....Street Sense blowing by Curlin at the top of the stretch...Borel running out of goggles....Borel looking over his right shoulder and much to his amazement, Albarado and Curlin are bearing down....and then the wire.....What a race!!!

[horseofcourse]

I am not buying the "hang" argument. The horse certainly "hung" in the Derby as well, except no other horse was moving fast enough to run by him...or was close enough to run by him. He ran pretty much exactly the same race in the Preakness as the Derby. Curlin just ran a bit faster in the stretch. Looking at Street Sense's stride through the whole stretch...I am not fathoming the "hang" theory on this race. No matter how fast the track was playing, it is hard for me to buy a horse running 1:53 and a half for 9.5 furlongs was "hanging".

[slotdirt]

I'd been reading thread after thread looking for someone willing to call out Pino for his ride on Hard Spun; I'm glad I've finally found it here. The 1 in the next race was a downright lock after Pino's pathetic ride in the Preakness - he had to make that ride up to someone.

Anywho, that's my thought on the race. Street Sense and Curling were great, but I don't think Hard Spun got the shot he deserved. I'd also like to see all three go in the Belmont. Hard Spun had a Touch Gold-esque Preakness yesterday, and it's not like Danzig doesn't throw horses that like to go forever.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Samarta

After a lot of analysis, here is what I've come up with......

First Hard Spun's race.....not much else to say other than he got a horrible ride....I think the whole camp talked themselves right into that high cruising speed theory and Pino just let him go and thought as long as he wasn't riding him, he would have plenty left in the tank because he was just "cruising"....well he was toast at the top of the stretch...I think it's time for the connections to re-evaluate some things because he is a very nice horse....

The race that Curlin and Street Sense had is something that HBO documentaries are made of....The post Derby ride with Nafziger and Borel....the friendship between Borel and Albarado....the story of Curlin's connections and how they got there....and then the race.....Curlin almost goes head over heels at the kick....the blistering pace.....Borel and Street Sense pulling off another rail skimming move on the turn....Street Sense blowing by Curlin at the top of the stretch...Borel running out of goggles....Borel looking over his right shoulder and much to his amazement, Albarado and Curlin are bearing down....and then the wire.....What a race!!!

Your last paragraph says it all, and I couldn't agree more.
From a horse racing fan, in all honesty, one couldn't ask for any more or better. This race will long be remembered.
I hope it made some new fans.
The Mending Fences race might have lost a few. RIP MF.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Nafzger seems to be getting over it and is now looking forward to a rivalry. Talk about glass half full. Good for him. I'm bummed they won't go to the Belmont, though.
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39032

nafzger will meet with street senses owner later this week, hopefully tafel will opt to go to new york-obviously if street sense is ready willing and able...

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by pmayjr

First Merlinsky,
You're talkin like a bridge-jumper. Sorry you singled SS on top.

I was just sayin SS wasn't good enough TODAY (go back and read it, it's clearly what it says). 2nd, both Nafzger and Borel in interviews after the races said they had no excuses. 3rd, comin around the final turn neither were blocked and neither were extremely wide. They had clean runs going into the stretch (and down the stretch). Whether SS got lazy or not, he got beat TODAY.

I'm not branding one better than the other for the rest of their careers. Hopefully they both go to Belmont, or run later in the summer for many many re-matches to come. Let's hope greedy ownership doesn't send them to the shed before the BC. Just gimme that for both please...

I was at Pimlico and had a nice view from the apron...Street Sense has this race won and as mentioned above, has no excuses but those of his own doing. After the race I wondered if this gazing at the crowd was such an issue, why not throw a shade on his inside eye? Splitting hairs, but something I am curious about.

Give credit to the winner, you almost never see a horse get passed in the stretch (and somewhat convincingly) and then see them surge back to win. SS had a bit to do with it, but Curlin was better on the day.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by todko

Tell me that there is no arrogance here:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05192007...y_kerrison.htm

Yeah, Borel says Curlin, "hasn't stepped up to the plate." And Nafzger says, "it's going to be a fun race."

Curlin stepped up to the plate and I wonder how much fun Nafzger is having today. With their attitude they deserved what they got.

What there is not true? Curlin toyed with greatly inferior competition in some Arkansas stakes and then got bounced around in the Derby. He needed the exprience of some dirt in his face, and some troubles and not just a leisurely stroll to win by 10 lengths.

There is nothing cocky or inaccurate about saying Curlin hadnt stepped up yet. He hadn't. Yesterday he did. Nobody labeled people who knocked Peyton Manning pre 2007 as arrogant when they said he didnt step to the plate and win a Super Bowl, yet.

Also, something tells me Nafzger is having plenty of fun. He's pretty much retired and his last big ticket won the Kentucky Derby and was within a whisker or so of taking the magic ride to Belmont where he could have faced the reality of riding off into the sunset amongst immortals. It's not going to happen, but old Carl will be no worse for the wear I suspect.

[declansharbor]

My first post since the race, and I'm still in awe. Turning for home, I had no doubt in my mind that SS was roping all of them. Once he blew by Curlin, I thought the race was in the bag. BOY, was I wrong. Curlin has made me into a believer. His effort was Spooky Mulder-like, although he wasnt on the front end like SM was in his race. Most horses would have thrown in the towel, not continue to track, then pounce. A bevy of things can be said about Borail's ride to the wire or Pino's premature ga ga goosh, but one thing is for certain, the top three horses in both races have proven they are as good as advertised. As timorous as I was to not hit the trifecta (only played it straight, but big), that all took a backseat to the fact that I knew I was watching something special. Hopefully, a great rivalry will come from these past two weeks.(something horse racing lacks IMO).

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

My first post since the race, and I'm still in awe. Turning for home, I had no doubt in my mind that SS was roping all of them. Once he blew by Curlin, I thought the race was in the bag. BOY, was I wrong. Curlin has made me into a believer. His effort was Spooky Mulder-like, although he wasnt on the front end like SM was in his race. Most horses would have thrown in the towel, not continue to track, then pounce. A bevy of things can be said about Borail's ride to the wire or Pino's premature ga ga goosh, but one thing is for certain, the top three horses in both races have proven they are as good as advertised. As timorous as I was to not hit the trifecta (only played it straight, but big), that all took a backseat to the fact that I knew I was watching something special. Hopefully, a great rivalry will come from these past two weeks.(something horse racing lacks IMO).

Agreed on the last part...the sport lacks a passioned rivalry. Not sure we will see it here, but seeing these two butt heads across the country a few times this summer and fall would do a wealth of good for the sport...probably more than a Triple Crown champion would have done.

Something where Curlin runs in the Haskell and Street Sense in the Jim Dandy and then they meet at the Travers and then they warm up for the Breeders Cup Classic by running in the JCGC, et al before meeting again in the BCC.
The anticipation that would stand by then just between those two would be great, not to mention others who would run, like Invasor, etc.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by todko

SS got lucky in the Derby. He had a dream trip while Curlin had a nightmare ride.

Street Sense had nothing left.

Curlin didn't hang -- he motored by and tied the Preakness record. A better jock and he would have been the Derby champ too.

He "motored" by?