Very Mixed Feelings

[pick4]

That's an excellent point you made about Jeff Mullins. However his distain for the people who pay his salary does not stop me from wagering on horses he trains.

[MaTH716]

Maybe in 3 weeks NBC can do a feature on Dutrow at Scores!

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Years ago I described being a horseplayer as like having a girlfriend that nobody likes. Well, guess what? For the next few weeks my girlfriend got a lot more popular. Stop whining about it and dig it. It's a good thing.....and it won't last.

Well said.

And as much antipathy as I have towards Dutrow and the IEAH douches, at least this is a horse that the networks will have a hard time forcing into being a heartwarming story, which is a good thing. Every time a horse wins a big race, there's gotta be some kinda cutesy romantic twist to it with these people. I remember hearing Smarty Jones being referred to as the colt from the "wrong side of the tracks" or something. Yeah, he was only by freaking ELUSIVE QUALITY!

[cowgirlintexas]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Well said.

And as much antipathy as I have towards Dutrow and the IEAH douches, at least this is a horse that the networks will have a hard time forcing into being a heartwarming story, which is a good thing. Every time a horse wins a big race, there's gotta be some kinda cutesy romantic twist to it with these people. I remember hearing Smarty Jones being referred to as the colt from the "wrong side of the tracks" or something. Yeah, he was only by freaking ELUSIVE QUALITY!

I believe they referred to him as that because of where he was based at. Philly Park/unknown trainer etc.. True about the romantic twist comment.. No "warm fuzzy" feelings with the connections of Big Brown.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by cowgirlintexas

I believe they referred to him as that because of where he was based at. Philly Park/unknown trainer etc.. True about the romantic twist comment.. No "warm fuzzy" feelings with the connections of Big Brown.

I get it, I just thought it was ridiculous how the media tried to contort him into some scrappy underdog when he was bred to be a fine horse.

[2MinsToPost]

Just this racing fans' perspective and I believe that I am not alone with these thoughts. I don't care for the human side of Big Brown. Guess what, Big Brown did not choose to be with these people. Its not like he can say enough of this I am off to Zitos' Barn etc.. So, why should I let the people side get in the way of cheering on a horse to something that has not been done in 30 years and will create a positive buzz about this sport we all love for a long time. I am going to enjoy the next three weeks as much as I can. Gonna read all I can read. Then, when June 7th rolls around and they are loading into the gate their will be a level of excitement shared by so many that has not been reached in a long time.

Enjoy this positive time in the sport. Put aside the negatives and take in the positives. Funny thing is, I have this bad feeling about the whole deal being done for the supposed fifty million dollars. So, putting that aside I am for the horse and not the people associated with. Big Brown did not choose his fate, he just wants to beat whoever loads beside him.

[azerica]

All in all, if we are to have a TC winner, I would rather it had been Smarty Jones, or Afleet Alex. Someone else said that it would be much preferred if a homebred or like Funny Cide's connections. A Wall Street person just does not appeal to me as much because for no reason other than my personal opinion, they don't have the love for their horse that would be there if it was from their own home. But then I like to root for the so-called underdog going against all the moneyed big city slickers with their smirky interviews.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I get it, I just thought it was ridiculous how the media tried to contort him into some scrappy underdog when he was bred to be a fine horse.

sort of like seabiscuit in the movie...

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Maybe in 3 weeks NBC can do a feature on Dutrow at Scores!

I think NBC will conveniently 'forget' about horse racing as of now since the Belmont is on ABC this year.. that said.. maybe ABC will do the feature!

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by Danzig

sort of like seabiscuit in the movie...

yeah...that ragamuffin direct descendent of Man O War. Horridly bred!

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I get it, I just thought it was ridiculous how the media tried to contort him into some scrappy underdog when he was bred to be a fine horse.

I may be remembering wrong, but I thought at the time Elusive Quality was bred to I'll Get Along his stud fee was about $10,000- Servis thought he was a sire who was going to have a big future, but wasn't there yet and that's why he suggested the mating- getting what he thought would be a good sire at a cheap price. So it was more a case of a future recognized blueblood.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

yeah...that ragamuffin direct descendent of Man O War. Horridly bred!

Almost as funny as the movie describing War Admiral as 18 hands. I guess the filmmakers thought Shorty versus Shorty wouldn't make for compelling drama.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I may be remembering wrong, but I thought at the time Elusive Quality was bred to I'll Get Along his stud fee was about $10,000- Servis thought he was a sire who was going to have a big future, but wasn't there yet and that's why he suggested the mating- getting what he thought would be a good sire at a cheap price. So it was more a case of a future recognized blueblood.

EQ was a lot more then 10k when SJ was conceived

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by freddymo

EQ was a lot more then 10k when SJ was conceived

Do you know how much? I googled before I posted but I couldn't find the answer.

Wait- I just did, and his stud fee was $10,000 until 2003, when it was bumped to $30,000. Smarty having run in '04, that would mean the fee was indeed, $10,000.

Whew- I've got a good memory for useless trivia (and not much else) and was afraid even that was failing me!

Here's the link- it's an interesting piece on EQ.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...pagewanted=all

[GenuineRisk]

And reading the article I was wrong- it was Bob Carmac, not Servis who planned the mating. D'oh!

[MaTH716]

I have to admit, upon hearing the news/rumor (hasn't been confirmed yet), I am pretty dissapointed that June 7th just might be another regular day at Belmont (I know about the other big races that day). If the news is true, I feel like I and the whole racing community have been cheated in some way. Of course I know about all the risks involved (Hell, St Liam had to be put down after a stable accident). But all the positive debate and possible attention that the sport could/would have recieved might turn negative. My personal feelings (not that anyone else should care) really have changed so much during this past couple of weeks, from uncertainty about the horse and connections after the Derby. To outright glee after the Preakness, with the possibility of seeing a TC winner. Even to possibly being at Belmont with my boy to witness possible history in the making. Plus hearing from the huge developing Casino Drive contingent (absolutley making me sick) about the next coming. Even another reason to hope that BB won the Belmont in smashing fashion. I really hope that this is some sort of rumor/hoax and on June 7th we all could still witness history.

[Danzig]

not necessarily a bad thing. IF big brown misses the derby, they need to play up the news that he was not running and that the owners are choosing to do right by the horse and keep him in the barn-since peta has been trying to trumpet racing as cruel, this move would belie that.

[johnny pinwheel]

its great if he does it. and i love that a million people will bet on him . thats how i get 34-1 on horses like birdstone.