Re: Travers/Lies, Lies and More Lies (531 Views)
Posted by:
richiebee (IP Logged)
Date: August 27, 2006 09:56PM
Interesting Contrast:
Alex, Smarty and Point Given all retired during their 3YO seasons.
Affirmed, Slew, Secretariat and Spec Bid all had exceptional campaigns as 4YOs.
What a difference 25 years makes.
If Bluegrass Cat was racing in the 70s or 80s, he would have been rested and rehabilitated over the winter and brought back as a 4YO. In those days, his resume (Gr II winner as a 2YO, GR I winner at 3, and placed in KY Derby) would have made him a marginal stallion prospect on the basis of his race record.
If you are a big Bernardini fan, and want to see him race as a 4YO, I guess you would have to hope he DOESN'T win the BC Classic; if he does, he's off to the breeding shed.
Have said it before, will say it again: If racing fans are clamoring for warriors who answer the bell year after year (Kelso, Forego, John Henry, Perfect Drift), geldings will need to be somehow subsidized and incentivized, as in (a) purse enhancements for geldings or (b) weight allowances for geldings or (c) both (a) and (b).