Question/opinion needed for Vic Stauffer..about Lukas Classic

[woodbinepmi]

That part of it I somewhat understand if not condone.

RICH STRIKE is obviously extremely talented. But exhibits all the behaviors of being VERY studdish. Trying to savage the pony, leaning into other horses and pulling himself up immediately after making the lead.

All antics that could probably be cured by gelding. THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

We had a heavy quarter horse that was not gelded, and when we would come across a young colt that tried to savage and bully others around, we would pony him with that quarter horse for a while and that usually solved the problem without having to geld them. It was comical to watch them push on that quarter horse, they would bounce right off.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by woodbinepmi

That part of it I somewhat understand if not condone.

RICH STRIKE is obviously extremely talented. But exhibits all the behaviors of being VERY studdish. Trying to savage the pony, leaning into other horses and pulling himself up immediately after making the lead.

All antics that could probably be cured by gelding. THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

We had a heavy quarter horse that was not gelded, and when we would come across a young colt that tried to savage and bully others around, we would pony him with that quarter horse for a while and that usually solved the problem without having to geld them. It was comical to watch them push on that quarter horse, they would bounce right off.

I LOVE stories like that.

[azeri98]

I wouldn't call Rich Strike extremely talented. Really good at Churchill, Ok at other tracks. I think he finishes near the rear to middle pack in the Breeders Cup. Keeneland doesn't suit his running style.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by azeri98

I wouldn't call Rich Strike extremely talented. Really good at Churchill, Ok at other tracks. I think he finishes near the rear to middle pack in the Breeders Cup. Keeneland doesn't suit his running style.

He's not extremely talented?


HE WON THE FREAKIN KENTUCKY DERBY!!

Beating a horse who's run out $2.8 million so far.

He can outrun 98% of the thoroughbreds standing on the planet.

That seems extremely talented to me.

Please forgive. Maybe I should have said VERY talented!

Tough room!

[classhandicapper]

My question with horses that jump up a lot like Rich Strike is whether they are going to continue developing at the same rate as horses that showed a lot of talent right from the start of their career. IMO, Rich Strike has proven his Derby was not a pace related fluke, but Taiba and Epicenter are developing "faster" and have moved far enough ahead him to have a clear advantage, especially because I think the best is yet to come for them if they stay sound and remain in training.