Very Mixed Feelings

[Danzig]

i'm still unexcited. nice horse...but having seen spectacular bid try and fail, and others since then who i thought were better than this guy.....well, if he wins it, props to him. but we've been here a LOT. a lot, and with horses who were just as eye popping in their wins...i remember when penny chenery loaned secretariats overgirth to the smarty folks. oooops.

[cowgirlintexas]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm still unexcited. nice horse...but having seen spectacular bid try and fail, and others since then who i thought were better than this guy.....well, if he wins it, props to him. but we've been here a LOT. a lot, and with horses who were just as eye popping in their wins...i remember when penny chenery loaned secretariats overgirth to the smarty folks. oooops.

Well, thats true too... However there's still hope, and after the sadness of the Derby I am ready for some excitement. Go Big Brown!!

[Rileyoriley]

I'm rooting for Casino Drive to be the 3rd offspring of Better Than Honour to win the Belmont. As far as I know, Better Than Honour has never been suspended from the breeding shed for drug infractions.
May not be a TC winner but still history being made.

[wac]

Well ive made my opinions known on other posts. I hate this horse. I would be unbelievably (sp) happy if he loses in the Belmont. Like when the Patriots and that douchebag Belicheat and his cover boy qb got there asses planted in the super bowl. One of the few times ive ever gotten really excited about a pro game. I do not want these owners and this trainer and this horse to be mentioned in the same sentence as "Big Red", Slew, Affirmed makes me want to puke.

[cowgirlintexas]

[quote=wac]Well ive made my opinions known on other posts. I hate this horse. I would be unbelievably (sp) happy if he loses in the Belmont. Like when the Patriots and that douchebag Belicheat and his cover boy qb got there asses planted in the super bowl. On of the few times ive ever gotten really excited about a pro game. I do not want these owners and this trainer and this horse to be mentioned in the same sentence as "Big Red", Slew, Affirmed makes me want to puke.[/QUOTE]

Better stop reading about him or invest in some Dramamine

[wac]

Cowgirl, ive already bought it.

[Danzig]

i would never say i hate the horse, but i am ambivalent about what he's doing, and on the cusp of doing. hard to have much excitement build over a horse who has made five starts ever-today being the third time i've seen him run. we all know this is a lackluster group, with big brown the only bright spot thus far-so you have to wonder if part of why he looks good is that everyone else is so bad. keep in mind that eight belles is one of only five fillies to ever finish first or second in the derby, and she finished second pretty handily.
i also find myself quite uninspired about a horse who will most likely have six career starts, as i believe that win or lose, the belmont will be his finale. whether it's grand or not, i don't know.
people seem to think that a horse winning the triple crown will somehow give this sport a boost-i think the chasing of the cup is more of a boost. once it's won (if and when) then the next years' attempt won't be nearly as enthralling for many.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i would never say i hate the horse, but i am ambivalent about what he's doing, and on the cusp of doing. hard to have much excitement build over a horse who has made five starts ever-today being the third time i've seen him run. we all know this is a lackluster group, with big brown the only bright spot thus far-so you have to wonder if part of why he looks good is that everyone else is so bad. keep in mind that eight belles is one of only five fillies to ever finish first or second in the derby, and she finished second pretty handily.
i also find myself quite uninspired about a horse who will most likely have six career starts, as i believe that win or lose, the belmont will be his finale. whether it's grand or not, i don't know.
people seem to think that a horse winning the triple crown will somehow give this sport a boost-i think the chasing of the cup is more of a boost. once it's won (if and when) then the next years' attempt won't be nearly as enthralling for many.

With BB this year and Curlin last year, I wonder if this will be a new tactic leading/training up to the derby.
As far as a boost to the sport, I personally don't think that there will be one. BB will have his 15 minutes of fame with mainstream America and then the next time they will bet a race will be next years derby.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

With BB this year and Curlin last year, I wonder if this will be a new tactic leading/training up to the derby.
As far as a boost to the sport, I personally don't think that there will be one. BB will have his 15 minutes of fame with mainstream America and then the next time they will bet a race will be next years derby.

which is exactly what i don't want to see happen.

[MaTH716]

Let me ask a hypothetical question. Everyone pretty much thought that this was a very mediocre (that still a stretch) group of 3-year olds. But it seemed that there were a handful of ok/good horses. Do you think people's perception of BB would be different if say Pyro and Colonel John ran well in the Derby? What if War Pass didn't get hurt and BB was able to beat him in both races so far? It just seems that every other horse has bombed except BB.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Let me ask a hypothetical question. Everyone pretty much thought that this was a very mediocre (that still a stretch) group of 3-year olds. But it seemed that there were a handful of ok/good horses. Do you think people's perception of BB would be different if say Pyro and Colonel John ran well in the Derby? What if War Pass didn't get hurt and BB was able to beat him in both races so far? It just seems that every other horse has bombed except BB.

It doesn't matter, for numerous reasons. First, many people will not look past the trainer. They never will. Dutrow attracts criticism. He also attracts animosity, and it seems outright hatred. There is no doubt that his past is checkered with problems, and apparently his present as well. He is easily a target -- both personally and professionally.

Second, the owners of this horse attract the very same thing. Whether it's the suits, sunglasses, or perceived arrogance, doesn't matter. Third, the moving bar will keep moving, and whatever he doesn't do will be the bar for greatness, comparison to the greats, etc.

The best horse won the FL Derby, the KY derby and now the Preakness -- but in the "court" of the public, perception or otherwise, it appears this horse will never be accepted, respected, etc. by the masses. I don't know if this forum is reflective of the masses, but if it is, just read all the threads. There is why it doesn't matter.

Eric

[Round Pen]

Originally Posted by wac

Well ive made my opinions known on other posts. I hate this horse I would be unbelievably (sp) happy if he loses in the Belmont. Like when the Patriots and that douchebag Belicheat and his cover boy qb got there asses planted in the super bowl. One of the few times ive ever gotten really excited about a pro game. I do not want these owners and this trainer and this horse to be mentioned in the same sentence as "Big Red", Slew, Affirmed makes me want to puke.

Any body who would make this kind of statement has absolutely no business following or particpating in our great sport.
I have no problem with you liking or dis liking his connections
but to state you hate the horse is totally absurd.

[pick4]

Originally Posted by Round Pen

Any body who would make this kind of statement has absolutely no business following or particpating in our great sport.
I have no problem with you liking or dis liking his connections
but to state you hate the horse is totally absurd.

That posters opinion is not unique. People who feel this way are missing the point. Big Brown can't run in a race with Citation, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and all the rest of the icons that have acheived greatness.

This horse has broken so many rules and while his competition so far has been weaker than he is. The horse has completely dominated . If he wins the Belmont Stakes and this time I'm rooting for him as a fan in addition to a horseplayer, he will deserve to be mentioned in the same breath of the eleven previous Triple Crown winners.

Belmont Stakes is only three weeks away and I have seats about a hundred yards from the finish line. The same seats as last year when I saw Rags To Riches win the Belmont. I would of hit the triple and the late pick four that day if Curlin would have won. But when Rags put her head in front I was rooting like heck for her to win. Triple and pcik four be damned. I hope I have the opportunity to see a Triple Crown winner in person. I'm rooting for Big Brown.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

If you're gunna hate a horse, it should atleast be one of these individuals that seem to have mastered the art of running 2nd. Like that T. B. Dylan horse that ran 2nd again at HWD PARK Friday night. I think 7 second place finishes( in a short career) should qualify one to be legit hate material. I actually catch on to their ways pretty quickly. I don't bet them, but I find them objectionable individuals.

[wac]

Ok im sorry i said that i hate the horse b/c after thinking about it and talking with my girlfriend she made a good point that if it was another trainer or owner would i still be in such a bad mood and i said that no i guess its really nothing about the horse. I love watching racing as much as anyone and i do admit that the horse is very talented i just wish it was a different group. Sorry if i offended anyone.

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by wac

Ok im sorry i said that i hate the horse b/c after thinking about it and talking with my girlfriend she made a good point that if it was another trainer or owner would i still be in such a bad mood and i said that no i guess its really nothing about the horse. I love watching racing as much as anyone and i do admit that the horse is very talented i just wish it was a different group. Sorry if i offended anyone.

as the saying goes..you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family..so I guess we know how BB feels...

or is it you can pick your nose.....but you can't pick your friend's nose..sometimes I get confused..

[pick4]

Originally Posted by wac

Ok im sorry i said that i hate the horse b/c after thinking about it and talking with my girlfriend she made a good point that if it was another trainer or owner would i still be in such a bad mood and i said that no i guess its really nothing about the horse. I love watching racing as much as anyone and i do admit that the horse is very talented i just wish it was a different group. Sorry if i offended anyone.

What is wrong with Paul Pompa Jr.?

[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.

[pick4]

Owner Finds Joy in Loyalty: Big Brown Part of Pompa's Payback
By Adam Kilgore
Washington Post Staff Writer

NEW YORK -- Paul Pompa Jr. glanced at his laptop screen Wednesday morning, eagerly checking if the e-mail he was waiting for had appeared. "Not here yet," he said. In most ways, this day was like any other for the owner of horse racing's star of the moment. Pompa woke up at his home in Warren, N.J., at 4:30 a.m. and arrived at his office in Brooklyn by 6:30. He ensured the trucks left the yard on time, then settled behind his desk, one room over from his brother Tom and his cousin Pete....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...051700282.html





NOTE: PLEASE.... DO NOT PASTE COPYWRITTEN MATERIAL IN ITS' ENTIRETY AND CERTAINLY NOT WITHOUT AT LEAST GIVING CREDIT TO THE SOURCE AND AUTHOR...

How can you hate on a guy like Pompa?

And Dutrow may be a rebel but he's faced tremendous adversity and is now on the verge of being the trainer of a triple crown winner.

How could you not laugh at this hilarious quote?

On it, his massively talented colt, Big Brown, was flanked by a pair of lead ponies as they guided him back toward the winner's circle.

"Look at him," Dutrow said to NBC reporter Bob Neumeier. "He's in between two ponies. He loves it."

Dutrow cackled.

"He's like me at Scores!"

Look on the bright side...at least it isn't Jeff Mullins. He actually doesn't like gamblers.