Re: ROTW (381 Views)
Posted by:
richiebee (IP Logged)
Date: May 29, 2005 12:11PM
The negative TGs/ high Beyers affect the game on another level. Right now Bellamy Road could be retired to stud as the "fastest three year old ever" based on one race.
In the 7th at Belmont today, Contrast (SCRATCHED) is bred to the nines (Unbridled- Safely Kept). She broke her maiden at Delaware in 1:11.4, earning a seemingly ridiculous Beyer of 105. If you go back and look at the PPs for the Genuine Risk Handicap at Bel May 14, I don't think there was a single older filly or mare in this (graded) race with a Beyer that high.
Are horses getting faster? Here's an overly simple, naive look at figure making: For Contrast to have run 6f in 1:11.4, and to be awarded a 105 Beyer, there must have been some very SLOW animals running at Delaware that day.
Its more than track surfaces and cushion. Nerud and Lauren did not have the advantages of all the advances made in (legitimate)vetrinary medicine, horsehoeing and equine nutrition; I don't think they even had aluminum plates when Dr Fager raced.
The sad part of today's game is that if another colt who is truly on Secretariat's level comes along and dominates the Triple Crown races the way Sec did, economics dictate that he would be retired before he finished cooling out after the Belmont.
Post Edited (05-29-05 12:29)