Sir Winston/Country House to Miss Summer Racing

[Lemon Drop Husker]

We already knew Country House would be on the shelf for a while, but now Sir Winston the Belmont champ will join him on the sidelines for the big summer races for 3YOs such as the Jim Dandy, Haskell, and Travers.



https://www.drf.com/news/sir-winston...e-injury?type=

[exactatom]

You can thank the attention sales put on a quick breeze for the industry trending to breeding a non-durable horse for speed instead of breeding horses to endure a full career.
I feared when Justify ended his 5 month career as soon as he gave his urine specimen for the Triple Crown this problem would only get worse.

This sport needs to go to 2 seasons Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall that way horses would have an incentive to stay in racing.

I guess there is more incentive than ever to be patient with a young horse as there are plenty of high dollar races later in the year that will be run without the Derby/Triple Crown standouts that are already retired, taking a long layoff or injured.

This sport needs to find a way to deliver a quality product at least 10 months a year. The focus of a great majority of people is a 5 week period in late Spring.

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

We already knew Country House would be on the shelf for a while, but now Sir Winston the Belmont champ will join him on the sidelines for the big summer races for 3YOs such as the Jim Dandy, Haskell, and Travers.

Meanwhile, a colt that looked poised to possibly ascend to the top of the division is also having physical problems...Global Campaign (half to Bolt D'Oro) is out of the Ohio Derby with a foot problem that developed back in the Fountain of Youth.

Looks like we're in for a battle of attrition.

Watch the 3yo turf division, specifically the Triple Turf in NY, for a possible Eclipse contender.

[Tom]

They don't make 'em like they used to.

I have to think racing would be better off if we ditched both the triple crown and the BC.

[taxicab]

Baffert might be in good shape at the end of the year.
Roadster should get better.
Mucho Gusto looks to be trending up.
Game Winner is quality........he'll be in a Grade 1 winners circle again.
Of the current sharps....
Maximum Security should cycle up again.
King for a Day is on the uptick.
Take Tacitus back,make one late run.....he'll be tough.

[NY BRED]

The "simple" remedy is not racing two year olds.

Simple solution except you have to blink at the sizable purses being
offered at major tracks.

Then again, the plus factor is you avoid training, stable and shipping costs and possibly have a healthier horse than following the pack.

In addition, I am not a fan of the 2 year old in training sales where these babies are racing against the clock which in turn can dramatically
impact their appeal in the auction .

For those having doubts on this thought check the OBS sale and watch
the works ;not a pretty picture especially when the rider goes to the whip..

[bobphilo]

Originally Posted by NY BRED

The "simple" remedy is not racing two year olds.

Simple solution except you have to blink at the sizable purses being
offered at major tracks.

Then again, the plus factor is you avoid training, stable and shipping costs and possibly have a healthier horse than following the pack.

In addition, I am not a fan of the 2 year old in training sales where these babies are racing against the clock which in turn can dramatically
impact their appeal in the auction .

For those having doubts on this thought check the OBS sale and watch
the works ;not a pretty picture especially when the rider goes to the whip..

Not a good point. 2YO racing and rich purses and high stud fess makes good sense from a good capitalist point of view. Arabians are are not allowed to race until they are are at at yeast 3 YOs. It all depends on which we value we value more- horses safety or profits.

[bobphilo]

Originally Posted by bobphilo

Not a good point. 2YO racing and rich purses and high stud fess makes good sense from a good capitalist point of view. Arabians are are not allowed to race until they are are at at yeast 3 YOs. It all depends on which we value we value more- horses safety or profits.

Edit: Correction : not a bad point.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by bobphilo

Edit: Correction : not a bad point.

Agree.

We have gone from Secretariat running 9 races as a 2YO champ and 12 races under his belt before winning the Triple Crown to horses needing 4 to 6 months off for rest and recuperation after running a race once a month for 4 to 5 months straight.

2YO racing has never ever been a problem till the last decade or so. Call it breeding, call it drugs, call it mismanagement..., call it whatever you want, things have changed. And they have changed drastically.

John Henry ran 83 races. 11 times as a 2YO. 20 times as a 3YO. He won 39 races. THIRTY-NINE. Foaled in 1975.

There are hundreds of more examples. We aren't racing horses too much or too early.

[bobphilo]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

Agree.

We have gone from Secretariat running 9 races as a 2YO champ and 12 races under his belt before winning the Triple Crown to horses needing 4 to 6 months off for rest and recuperation after running a race once a month for 4 to 5 months straight.

2YO racing has never ever been a problem till the last decade or so. Call it breeding, call it drugs, call it mismanagement..., call it whatever you want, things have changed. And they have changed drastically.

John Henry ran 83 races. 11 times as a 2YO. 20 times as a 3YO. He won 39 races. THIRTY-NINE. Foaled in 1975.

There are hundreds of more examples. We aren't racing horses too much or too early.

Given that the modern Thoroughbred is a fragile speed machine not meant to to last, we are are racing them to early. The days are the iron horse are gone. We cannot compare today's horses to Secretariat or John Henry. We are have bred bred horses meant to be be fast frigile 2YOs to be whisked off to stud when they break down for the big stud fees to breed for fragile fast weaklings. It's all about the fast bucks and will destroy racing.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by bobphilo

Given that the modern Thoroughbred is a fragile speed machine not meant to to last, we are are racing them to early. The days are the iron horse are gone. We cannot compare today's horses to Secretariat or John Henry. We are have bred bred horses meant to be be fast frigile 2YOs to be whisked off to stud when they break down for the big stud fees to breed for fragile fast weaklings. It's all about the fast bucks and will destroy racing.

We are at the precipice, if not already there.

[bobphilo]

Originally Posted by Tom

They don't make 'em like they used to.

I have to think racing would be better off if we ditched both the triple crown and the BC.

So true. It's just more profitable lately to breed fast cripples that win a few big races and sent to stud to breed more fast fast cripples. Smart capitalism but terrible for the horses and sport .
There's a reason why Arabians are sounder and are not allowed to race until 3. Big money has not yet taken over that sport.

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Move the Pegasus to August at Saratoga.

$12 Million. Auto bid to BC Classic for 4YO and older. Same day as Travers.

I guarantee they could pull it off.

[bobphilo]

Originally Posted by Lemon Drop Husker

Move the Pegasus to August at Saratoga.

$12 Million. Auto bid to BC Classic for 4YO and older. Same day as Travers.

I guarantee they could pull it off.

Only problem there is now the best 3YOs run in the Travers and later meet the older horses in BC Classic to help decide HOY. Works out better that way to keep them separate until then

[Lemon Drop Husker]

Originally Posted by bobphilo

Only problem there is now the best 3YOs run in the Travers and later meet the older horses in BC Classic to help decide HOY. Works out better that way to keep them separate until then

The races would be separate, just different divisions and actual races. Each an entry into the BC Classic.



I'm with you on the whole history, and it hurts to think about. But. The times, they do change.