No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Old Timer — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 16:25:48 GMT

What is not to like about this great filly and her connections? I do hope that she runs against Delta as it would be good for the sport. I also agree with Pedigree Ann that it is getting tiresome having the BC out West every year with no variation. Nice article.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Secretariat — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 15:54:07 GMT

Quote from "Pedigree Ann":

"If the Breeders' Cup is moved permanently to the west coast, we will see more and more east coast horses declining due to the fact that they must ALWAYS ship and may be at a disadvantage thereby."

What do you think the west coast has to do every year when they show up to run in the Kentucky Derby. Preakness

Stakes and Belmont Stakes?

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

fightonfig — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 06:18:45 GMT

Don't think the BC permanent home

will be in CA...But places it won't be are Florida, Canada, N J

or Texas ! Del Mar would not be

a good choice with a 860 foot stretch, other variables. Princess

Sylmar won't ship west (how could

she miss with name like that ?) Just the same as Game on Dude would

not ship east 2013, wherever !

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

slee — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:33:21 GMT

I agree whole-heartedly with the decision to not go to the Breeders' Cup with this horse. Not for the shipping reason, but if you build a great season across the year, that should mean something! How many Grade I's does it take?

If you had a Triple Crown Winner who didn't run in the BC Classic would their campaign be sub-par?

And the BC needs to move every year. Few American horses run in Europe but we're going to make it standard to ask them to ship not just over the Atlantic but across the continent? Churchill and Belmont are just 2 viable options in the grand scheme of things - make it happen! So it might be cool, so it might be rainy, isn't that part of racing too? While I'm reluctant to use the NFL as an example for anything, even their conservative ownership is planning an outside Super Bowl in 2014 and expect a full house!

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

ceil rock — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:18:09 GMT

Bethany - Your question wasn't directed to me, but I would start by subscribing to the BloodHorse magazine. (That way you also get the print Stallion Register). They have content that doesn't appear on-line. They give you a lot of information on the broodmares of stakes winners. Also, you get articles on individual farms and their philosophies on breeding.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Fred and Joan — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 16:43:23 GMT

Pedigree Ann, we so enjoy reading your opinions and comments. We agree that the BC should be rotated among different regions of the country . You sound like you would be a good trainer or owner, perhaps you already are. we look forward to reading more of your insights and comments. we have always felt the mares and their temperament is very important to producing good runners. we have several mares that are excellent with people but are dominant and bossy over our farms stallion and lessor ranked horses just like Princess of Sylmar.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

PatsyK — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 00:36:58 GMT

What a great decision! So nice to see folks really thinking of the welfare of the horse...she's paid her dues (on the track anyway, I'm sure lots will be expected in the foaling barn!). Let her take a break and if she comes back fine and it not we can look forward to her babies. Hopefully she'll continue to race because she's so much fun to watch, but hopefully her well being will always be first.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Pedigree Ann — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 05:28:42 GMT

Bethany -

I started by studying stallion registers. The 4 or 5 cross AND the female families. The Blood-Horse has pages on-line if you want to look at particular animals, but browsing the entire book gets you the big picture.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Greg R — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:35:12 GMT

Incidentally, yes, I agree that the BC should be a traveling show. That has always been a big part of its interest. Who would want to see the World Series held in the same stadium every year? Once upon a time, I actually thought that it might eventually visit Europe every fourth or fifth year, something like that, but it never developed in that direction.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Greg R — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:29:44 GMT

I would like to see Princess run in the Beldame. She would have nothing to lose if she followed her elder, Royal Delta, across the finish line. On the other hand, a loss to other sophomore fillies wouldn't look good, so late in the year. What if another top 3 yr old filly jumps up and beats Delta in the Distaff? Furthermore, Princess might not like Parx as well as Belmont. I also well understand their not wanting to ship across the country for the BC. What if she didn't hold her form that long? Better to run now. If Royal Delta is not fully cranked for the Beldame, because of BC plans, the little girl would have a chance to beat her and really go down in the books.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Jbumi — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 16:59:25 GMT

I'm very happy that they're taking a longer view. They plan on racing her next year, so why push it? I'd read they initially planned on the Alabama being her final race this year. I think they should stick to that.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Owlbet — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 04:42:28 GMT

I still say Princess has a Horse of the Year performance in her. She's that good.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Bethany Loftis — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:13:22 GMT

Thanks Claire for the update! Good to know they're wanting to do what's right by the horse. She's had a stellar campaign, Eclipse or not and certainly deserves a little R&R at the farm!

Pedigree Ann- I agree with you in regards to the Breeder's Cup. Maybe with some replacements in the board there will be some positive changes? I also have a completely random question, are there any good books on pedigree that you recommend for a relatively new enthusiast?

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

ceil rock — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:38:28 GMT

I don't think you can compare her situation to Rachel or Groupie Doll. In both of those cases the connections went to the well once too often. Both fillies had gut-wrenching, all-out races against colts. Princess of Sylmar has been really well managed this year. Personally, I'd like to see her pass on Royal Delta this year and end her season with a win in the Cotillion.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Claire Novak — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:31:01 GMT

Anita - Ed told me she will get downtime on the farm in KY following one last race if she does indeed run again this year. So sounds like you're on the same page! :-)

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

anita b — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:04:53 GMT

The Princess is the real deal---BUT she has run since last year without a vacation. As good as she is, if she were mine--she would go to the farm for a vacation. And at the farm--not at Belmont who takes a vacation where they "work" at?!

Remember Rachel--her vacation was at the track. She needs down time. And we all want to see her healthy and happy next year.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 20:03:36 GMT

If the Breeders' Cup is moved permanently to the west coast, we will see more and more east coast horses declining due to the fact that they must ALWAYS ship and may be at a disadvantage thereby. The whole idea of the Breeders' Cup was to move it around so EVERYBODY has to ship out of their region SOMETIME; no circuit gets the hometown advantage all the time.

But the current committee is more interested in TV and media coverage than in doing right by horses, their connections, and the fans who have supported their races for decades.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

ksweatman9 — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:37:28 GMT

I don't want to second guess anyone, but the Breeder's Cup is so prestigious. If the Princess is running like a fine tuned machine at this point in her career, why not take her all the way? I do understand the reasoning here, but she has probably secured an eclipse award even if she loses at the BC. "Next year" doesn't happen for alot of horses. Remember the invincible Rachel Alexandra and the recent sensation Groupie Doll? What they possessed at the age of 3 wasn't there at 4. Greatness is often short lived. As for The Princess of Sylmar, they should rethink this one.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

LongStoryTB — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:26:02 GMT

Bravo to their choices for this lovely girl!!! Wishing them all continued health and success!

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 17:19:48 GMT

She has been the surprise star of the year and I appreciate the long-term view of her connections. Here is hoping the best for all involved, not just for this year, but next year, too! They are giving us something to look forward to.

re: No Breeders' Cup for Princess?

crazyhorselady7 — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:44:48 GMT

Awesome article. and I love what they are doing with Princess! Just because she doesn't go to the Breeders' shouldn't mean anything less about stature. She is a great filly and I hope she continues racing! EVEN if she never sees the Breeders' Cup starting gate.