I couldn't be happier about this result and the training method used to achieve it. It demonstrates that a horse can have an extensive 2YO campaign and still run well throughout the Triple Crown if the trainer knows what he is doing. IMO, the difference between what Ritchey did and what I lot of other trainers have done in the past is that Ritchey worked his horse hard, but not FAST. Some of these guys work their horses 57s, 110s, 123s etc... in the morning and then they wonder why the horse is soon crippled or can't hold together for a campaign of more than 4-5 races. In the 70s and early 80s the very best trainers didn't kill their horses in the mornings with the speed works that are so common these days. In fact, the few guys that trained that way in the past got the same results that are so common these days - a really sharp horse that fell apart quickly. The idea is to keep you horse very fit, not kill him in the morning trying to get him to peak for a single race or two. If more trainers would rely on slower steadier works with an emphasis on fitness and/or were willing to even consider racing their horses into shape against weaker horses (preps), the very best horses would still be able to put together a 10 or more race campaign. IMO they would earn more money and enhance their reputations too.

The obvious move for AA here is to freshen him up a bit and then start working him towards either the Haskell or Jim Dandy with an eye on the Travers. We don't know if he'll improve futher or how he'll deal with the best older horses, but there no reason barring bad luck this horse can't run 4 more top notch races the way Ritchey is is training him.






Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2005 01:06PM by classhandicapper.