Aug

21

Big Brown Duck

by Barry Roos
Published: August 21, 2008 3 Comments
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Interesting that a NY trainer and outfit chooses every which way but NY.   For me the Travers is the race you really want to win. Sure Monmouth’s Haskell is an excellent race, but few horsemen would rather win that than the Travers. Big Brown didn’t want any part of Saratoga for the fear of a Belmont repeat.  Running against Curlin would have retired Big Brown for sure so they again seem to be escaping to the Jersey shore for a soft spot on the grass.  Sure they say we will meet you in races where they know upfront Curlin won’t go, such as artificial surfaces.  It would have been like Ali challenging Frazier to fight in a country where Frazier can’t get a visa. It is a shame as the 2 horses would generate a buzz we haven’t seen in while.

Racing needs to work on the spacing of its big events. The Travers and Haskell need a week or 2 more in between. Then horses could compete in both, and not lessen either event. I still doubt Big Brown would have run, but at least he would have had no excuse and would run in the Travers.

Tracks have gone out of their way to try and bring these 2 together, especially Suffolk Downs trying to raise the MassCap up a notch in prestige. Unfortunately, there is no way to force horses to run, so we have to listen to the fake posturing. But it is so transparent, few people believe the bluster.


Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. Patrick on August 21, 2008 8:12 am

    There was a time when the Haskell Travers double was no problem. Somehow 3 weeks is too long now. Pitiful.

  2. Barry on August 21, 2008 8:45 am

    I think we are at a point in time where people will be overly protective and want more time. I think this is because horsemen are afraid of the retribution as seen in the Eight Belles tragedy. I think this has also led to the triple crown drought. Woody Stephens won those Belmonts as he trained very hard. I wasn’t a fan of his style as he hurt many horses but the Belmont is an extreme race and need tougher training. Lately horsemen back off too much and come up short.

  3. Geno on August 21, 2008 9:37 am

    Bluegrass Cat tried the H/T double in 06, winning the Haskell, but losing convincingly to Bernardini in the Travers. At least Pletcher gave it a shot…

    I totally agree with you that the tracks should not be giving in to ownership groups (especially this one), sets a horrible precedent for future demands.

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