Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Soldier Course — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:28:18 GMT

TerriV, Freetex, and anncat:

And who can forget Epic Steam discovering his true self, jumping the fence into the mares' paddock that morning?

And Froney's Sis dropping in a dead faint when they tightened the girth?

And Mr. T home at last?

And on and on ...

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Freetex — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:47:09 GMT

TerriV

JustaBob, also is a part of our family.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

My Juliet — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:46:30 GMT

Steve, I am new to this blog and enjoy your articles very much. I didn't know you were an author of those racing books, as da3hoss mentioned. I'm looking forward to reading one soon.

For Big Red, I am very surprised about SA, that it's future is not assured. While hearing of some track's closing, and attendance being down over these past years, I have always thought of SA (and NY and KY tracks) at least as untouchable. I was fortunate to visit SA as a kid in the 1970's and remember how beautiful it was, palm trees and mountains in the distance. Maybe horseracing can regain the popularity it once enjoyed -like in the 70's:) In my opinion changes probably need to be made for that to happen.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Freetex — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:46:22 GMT

To JB Stoned:

To add a couple of titles:

The Byerley Turk

Sweet William(out of print, but you can get it rather cheaply on Amazon) A tough read.

The Horses of Proud Spirit

The Longest Shot

Funny Cide

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

TerriV — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:21:28 GMT

Thank you so much for the great information about Stardom Bound. Now I can quit worrying about her. Nice to hear she's being a horse for awhile and I can't wait to see her on the track again.

I just read the new info about Calvin not being able to get a ride at Belmont either during the week or on Sat. That is just weird! I can't figure that but if he couldn't get a ride, he certainly deserves no criticism because he didn't. It must have been very frustrating for him and, in that case, he was very gracious to remain so self-contained in the face of so much commentary. I will always admire Calvin because he loves the horses, always gives them credit and rides with respect and consideration for the horse.

I love Mine That Bird (Summer Bird is growing on me) and his performances in all three races was thrilling. He and all his connections have nothing to be ashamed of or "what if" over. "What If" being a favorite past-time I'm sure it'll happen but he was a joy and I'll be watching him for as long as he runs and after.

Steve, I brought my copy of Tales of the Triple Crown with me to the Preakness and Belmont just hoping I'd be able to get you to sign them. I accidently ran into Chip Wooley at the Preakness in front of the booth that sells all the photographs - why not hope to run into you. Oh well, one of these days.

For Soldier Course, JustaBob is a fixture in conversations in my family. Couldn't you just picture Mine That Bird standing in the pond.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Soldier Course — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:20:46 GMT

anncat:

Isn't "Horse Heaven" a classic? I first read this novel not long after I made the jump from casual fan to racing fanatic, so a lot of it went over my head at that point. But I kept returning to the book and saw more and more in it with each new reading. Now a copy sits on my nightstand, and I read a random passage or two every night. You can open the book anywhere and be entralled by Jane Smiley's gorgeous writing and amazing insight.

Not long after I discovered this novel, I bought a large silver collar pin, oval-shaped with grooves etched all around the edge so that the piece resembles a racetrack. Instead of monogramming the pin with my initials, I had the jeweler put "JustaSmile" on it. I get lots of questions about this, and therefore lots of opportuntities to talk about racing and the book.

Will you ever forget JustaBob?

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Clockwatcher — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:00:25 GMT

The mile in the Belmont was run in 1:37.4, the mile and a quarter in 2:01.3 Thus, the fifth quarter was run in 23.4. In that quarter, Mine That Bird went from 5 and 1/2 lengths off the lead to the lead. Using the equation that one length equals one-fifth of a second, Mine That Bird ran the fifth quarter of the Belmont in 22.4. Is it any wonder he had nothing left for the last quarter?

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

newsline2 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:02:06 GMT

I wouldn't have had confidence in Borel to ride my horse in the Belmont after he left him to ride the other horse in the Preakness.

Wooley should have chosen his riders earlier.

Your reporting of the TC was excellent, Steve. You make the stories real for anyone reading them.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

J.B. STONED — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:10:12 GMT

Pam S,

I did read the first half of

"Chosen by a horse" not sure if I want to finish it, seen my wife read it first.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

J.B. STONED — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:00:13 GMT

Thanks for responding to my book question, I actually have read "The Big Horse" just recently and appreciate your suggestions!

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Secretariatfan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:09:54 GMT

Hi all This is my first post but I have been reading the post since the Derby. I must admit I did not pick MTB in the derby, but when I saw him slip through the rail and win, I fell in love with him. And was very glad a NM horse won as I'm from NM. That little guy reminds me of Afleet Alex who was a big favorite to me. I hope that he is around for a few years more.

I must admit I was disapointed that CB left him in the preakness to ride RA, and was a little upset, but I got over it and was glad he was back for the Belmont. I was a little worried that MTB seemed a little more agitated and that he was acting up. I'm disapointed he didn't win but he gave a good showing in all three TC races and all NM is proud of him.

I'm sure Calvin will take away what he learned from the Belmont, and the next time he rides in the Belmont he will do much better. Good Luck to both Calvin and Lisa

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

LDP — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:53:31 GMT

Bob R,

How on earth did you get those figures? I'm not being rude, i'm just wondering where you came up with the 88.7 and 11.3. It's just kinda weird to me.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

BOB BRIGHT — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:46:52 GMT

CB is 88.7 percent responcible for MTB Belmont performance. Whatever MTB showed up Borel should have been prepared.Blame the 11.3 percent on the silly retention barn. If Stardom Bounds last years trainer is not available give her to MTB trainer. As I mentioned earlier Dutrow is the wrong guy. A stall at the big A and Stardom Bound does not work for me.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

Karen in Texas — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:25:32 GMT

I agree with Bill's comment that Calvin will probably use this Belmont as a learning experience. Regardless of which "problems" contributed to the outcome of the race, Calvin now has this set of circumstances firmly implanted in his knowledge base and can draw upon the new information when needed. He has probably rethought every aspect of Saturday afternoon repeatedly, including the fact that he did not ride on the undercard.

re: Belmont Wrapup: Avian Adventures

BOB BRIGHT — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:24:14 GMT

Stardom Bound returning to the track is great. IEAH giving her to Dutrow is a mistake. She needs to be with the trainer who had her last year.Dutrow does not have the skill to handle a sensitive filly like Stardom Bound. Big Brown was a gallop around Belmont Park and he could not get that done. IEAH, Dutrow and Stardom Bound is not a good situation. AS soon as those folks bought her last fall I knew she was in for a rough road.