Street Sense to skip Belmont

[justindew]

Originally Posted by ARyan

I think that statement over this is extremly overdramatic.

Really? Why?

[slotdirt]

I do agree with justin in that in order to build horse racing's following, we need to have our biggest stars run in the biggest races. The Belmont is for American dirt racing one of the three most well-known and followed races, and it would have been a nice moment to see Street Sense and Curlin butt heads again here.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by justindew

Really? Why?

You think this is one of the most pressing issues in the sport? The fact that an owner and trainer are looking to skip 1 race to be prepared for a long summer and fall campaign.

You don't think the doping and drugs are a bigger and more disappointing issue? Do you think this whole New York Racing issue is going rather well? How about that almost every decent 3 year old colt gets retired to the shed and we never get to see a 4 year old campaign. That isn't disappointing?

While its too bad we won't get to see these 3 horses run against each other in the Belmont, will you be complainging if they run in the Travers, or the BC Classic? Or would rather see them all retired or injured and we get to see Circular Quay run against Invasor in the Classic?

Instead of ridiculing or being pissed about the situation, try to find some good aspects to look at. Who knows, maybe we might get a 4 year old season from Street Sense, and then who will be complaining that he skipped the Belmont?

[justindew]

Originally Posted by ARyan

You think this is one of the most pressing issues in the sport? The fact that an owner and trainer are looking to skip 1 race to be prepared for a long summer and fall campaign.

You don't think the doping and drugs are a bigger and more disappointing issue? Do you think this whole New York Racing issue is going rather well? How about that almost every decent 3 year old colt gets retired to the shed and we never get to see a 4 year old campaign. That isn't disappointing?

While its too bad we won't get to see these 3 horses run against each other in the Belmont, will you be complainging if they run in the Travers, or the BC Classic? Or would rather see them all retired or injured and we get to see Circular Quay run against Invasor in the Classic?

With all due respect, what are you talking about? I never said anything about drugs or early retirement. I said this one issue is a disappointment, and there have been many before it. Yes, of course there are other issues that need to be addressed. Yes, there are bigger problems. That doesn't mean this isn't also disappointing.

[Buffymommy]

I think more horses will enter now.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by justindew

With all due respect, what are you talking about? I never said anything about drugs or early retirement. I said this one issue is a disappointment, and there have been many before it. Yes, of course there are other issues that need to be addressed. Yes, there are bigger problems. That doesn't mean this isn't also disappointing.

You said; "Bottom Line: This is another in a long line of disappointing moments for this sport." I just don't think this falls into that. I think there are many aspects of this game, some of which I noted, that are far more disappointing than SS skipping the Belmont to shoot for the Travers then BC Classic.

We can agree to disagree, but I still think this is overkill for a horse and trainer who wish to shoot for a long term goal with their colt.

I am just amazed that this much is being made over this. It would be one thing if they were retiring Street Sense, or picking a different race the same weekend of the Belmont, but I don't think this will destroy the racing fan base or hinder new fans.

Just my take.

[wiphan]

It is understandable that people are frustrated that SS is not in the Belmont, but his connections are doing what is best for him; not the fans. A trainers job is to do right by the horse and find the best spots for there horse to win. These 3 races are very tiring on a still growing 3 yr old horse. SS gave 2 great races and they don't feel he can do a 3rd within the 5 wk period. I think it is commendable that his connections aren't chasing the $ and doing what is best for the future of their colt. At least he gave you 2 great races. Bernardini only raced once and then was retired shortly after that. Be thankful that SS will be pointed to some great races later on like the Travers, etc.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Bloodhorse's report, full of Nafzger's quotes:

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39154

You can defintily tell these guys are very old school. Though the Travers is still a very highly regarding race and the next big race in terms of Prestige behind the Triple Crown but these guys have been around this game for a long time and back when The Travers was just as big as the other ones. Though it's sad to not have SS run in the Belmont it is sort of refreshing in way for Nafger to hold the Travers in such high esteem that way it was once thought of and should still be.
You see so many other trainers who after the TC races and will race top quality hoses in those cheesy, " Hey we'll throw a million $ race" ( Penn. Derby etc) and skip the Travers.
Again though I wish he was running in The Belmont, I love his old school way of thinking in regards to The Travers.

[todko]

I think Nafzger and connections saw all they needed to see when Curlin came back and won. It's foolish to run against that horse again.

[justindew]

I think the REALLY sad thing is that modern horses aren't tough enough to run in all thre Triple Crown races, take two months off, and then begin a new campaign. By skipping the Belmont, Nafzger is essentially saying, "My horse can't run in the Belmont and still be compeititve two and a half months later in the Travers." That's what is sad.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by justindew

I think the REALLY sad thing is that modern horses aren't tough enough to run in all thre Triple Crown races, take two months off, and then begin a new campaign. By skipping the Belmont, Nafzger is essentially saying, "My horse can't run in the Belmont and still be compeititve two and a half months later in the Travers." That's what is sad.

Blame the breeders for that. That is where this starts. It is not toughness these horses lack, but the fact that breeders have been breeding for speed and not soundness.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by todko

I think Nafzger and connections saw all they needed to see when Curlin came back and won. It's foolish to run against that horse again.

Thanks for the laugh.

[Withers]

Originally Posted by justindew

I think the REALLY sad thing is that modern horses aren't tough enough to run in all thre Triple Crown races, take two months off, and then begin a new campaign. By skipping the Belmont, Nafzger is essentially saying, "My horse can't run in the Belmont and still be compeititve two and a half months later in the Travers." That's what is sad.

I'm with you Justin -- couldn't agree more.

[declansharbor]

Taking into account what horses have done after winning the Belmont, I think it's in the best interest of the horse to sit this one out and get ready for the summer/fall campaign... What do people like to say?? Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it??

[Withers]

Originally Posted by todko

I think Nafzger and connections saw all they needed to see when Curlin came back and won. It's foolish to run against that horse again.

They -- at least Nafzger -- just about admitted as much when he said that it was clear that the Derby was just a learning experience for Curlin. Why run now against him, with a possibly tired SS, instead of waiting, especially when that means there is a chance that SS would never risk a second defeat by Curlin, i.e., if he doesn't make it back for the Travers or BC. At this point, Eclipse award strategies start weighing in. If SS lost to Curlin in the Belmont, he'd probably lose 3 YO status unless he did significantly better than him in the BC. But if Curlin wins the Belmont, and SS doesn't face him in the Travers and wins it, SS wins 3 YO, no? All probably silly conjectures, but I think SS's people want to make sure that he gets the Eclipse 3 YO award, do or die, and they don't want to do anything to jeopardize that. Curlin in the Belmont isn't looking appealing right now, not with a colt like SS that has a good chance of hanging once he hits the front in that long, long Belmont stretch...

[Mortimer]

Originally Posted by Bystander

It doesn't look slow in comparison to all his works. Obviously we've seen him working 5f more than we have 4f.

05/30/2007 CD 4F :49.00 Dirt Fast B
05/15/2007 CD 5F 1:00.00 Dirt Fast B
05/01/2007 CD 5F 1:01.00 Dirt Fast B
04/24/2007 CD 5F :59.00 Dirt Fast B
04/10/2007 CD 5F 1:04.00 Dirt Fast B
04/04/2007 CD 5F :58.40 Dirt Fast B
03/28/2007 PMM 4F :48.00 Dirt Fast B
03/14/2007 PMM 4F :51.00 Dirt Fast B
03/08/2007 PMM 5F 1:01.00 Dirt Fast H
03/04/2007 PMM 4F :47.00 Dirt Fast H

And according to DRF, sure looked OK to me-
"Over a fast track, Street Sense proceeded smoothly through splits of 12.80, 24.60, and 36.60 before hitting the wire in 49 and galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.80."

That was really greaaaaaaaat.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I read the bloodhorse.com's report, and according to what Nafzger said, Tafel and he chose the Travers over the Belmont. I doubt that anyone in this forum considers the former to be more important than the third leg of the Triple Crown. Again, by Nafzger's account, the Belmont is important to run in only if a horse has won the first two legs.

Also, since Street Sense's workout and good health did not affect the decision, why work him yesterday?

I disagree. I happen to feel that the Travers is a more important race than the Belmont. The Belmont is only really important when a horse is going for the TC. Look at the ratings and attendance difference when there is not a TC on the line. The Travers carries the same purse and grade as the Belmont does. And if I'm not mistaken, it's been around even longer. Plus, it's run during a more prestigious meet at a more prestigious track. Back in the older days, the Belmont had more significance because it was 12f. But in those days, there were other 12f races. I believe the Woodward was 12f and the JCGC was 16f. The Belmont served more of a purpose. U got a chance to see which 3yo's were going to be able to step up past 10f to be able to compete with the top older horses in the fall championship races at Belmont. But that's no longer the case. The 12f of the race have made it irrelevant as far as determining which 3yo's are the best. It's more important to know who's the best at distances that they contest the championship events at. These days, it's more important to know who's the best 10f horse, not 12f. Because of that, the Travers is a more important race to me.

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

Taking into account what horses have done after winning the Belmont, I think it's in the best interest of the horse to sit this one out and get ready for the summer/fall campaign... What do people like to say?? Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it??

This is what I've tried to say. It's a 12F race, and his 3rd race in 5 weeks.
Whether you're happy with it or not, the race loses some of its luster when the triple crown isn't on the line.
Running in the Belmont for the sole purpose to be "sportsmanlike" or to help gain interest in the sport instead of keeping the horse sound and ready for late summer/fall is a risk that his connections don't want to make. I can't blame them at all.

Hopefully we'll see Curlin and Street Sense hook up again sometime, but I'll still enjoy the Belmont without Street sense included.

[slotdirt]

The Travers is the most prestigious 3YO race outside the Triple Crown. There's no chance it's more prestigious than the Belmont. Zero.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Winning two-thirds of the Triple Crown would put significant distance between Street Sense and Curlin.

Let's say the Curlin wins the Belmont over a field that doesn't include Street Sense. Then he hits the sidelines for a break. Then let's say that Street Sense wins the Haskell and then they face each other in the Travers. The winner of the Travers would then be the leader of the division. Curlin winning the Belmont will only have him in the lead if he is to beat Street Sense again. If Curlin wins the Belmont and Street Sense beats him later for a 2-1 advantage heads up, how could Curlin have the lead?