Re: No repect for Came Home (1215 Views)
Posted by:
Mark O'Keeffe (IP Logged)
Date: April 28, 2002 10:53AM
In something like a 50 year sample, SS, TG, Lil E Tee and Affirmed were the exceptions and I was referring to Solid and Professional only.
Now you all know the story about Thunder Gulch, so I won't beat a dead horse.
The reason Affirmed kept beating Alydar was because Alydar refused to change leads. And we all know who wins the race in the breeding shed.
Sunday Silence, well I just feel Easy Goer was the better horse. He could not handle Churchill and none of his offspring do. If you watch the Derby closely, you'll see SS nearly put Northern Wolf OVER THE RAIL. Had it been any other race (and I am quoting a former NYRA steward), SS gets disqualified.
In Preakness not sure who got the better fig, but it was a great race. In Belmont, Easy Goer kicked SS's butt REAL BAD. (However, Phipps refused to let SS get in a workout over the Belmont surface which may have been an excuse for SS getting beat)
You'll also notice that Real Quiet and Silver Charm and I think Charasmatic did not train at Belmont for the Belmont. There's an unwritten rule there that if you don't train in NY, you'll not get the Triple Crown.You can look it up. Only Affirmed accomplished that trick without training in NY that spring, though he did train at Saratoga as a 2yo.
Lil E Tee never amounted to anything. Just a footnote that Pat Day finally won the Derby.
Strike the Gold was not the best horse in the Derby that year. Hansel was and proved it later on. Best Pal had a wide trip (2nd) in Derby and I think got a better fig than STG.
I always felt STG was counterfiet (I took great pleasure in beating him on a regular basis) but I agree with the fact he should have qualified on dosage before the race.
Long and short of it is that statistacally, you gotta have points in Solid and or Professional. But now with so many being bred for speed, that angle may be worn out.
MO