Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

LDP — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:33:52 GMT

John T,

If Dunkirk did go on to win the Triple crown he will have to go down as one of the greatest horses to ever set foot on a track, seeing as how he'd be what only the third horse to win the derby as his third start, preakness and belmont and his fifth and six, would be just unthinkable. Not only that but he'd be the second unbeaten TC winner, the only other being Seatle Slew, who is considered one of the racing immortals. If Dunkirk wins the TC he will have to be one of the greatest to ever set foot on a race track.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

John T. — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:00:57 GMT

I hope it will be Dunkirk,who can ever forget the great

World War 11 story when it looked like thousands of soldiers would perish at Dunkirk when suddenly the winds changed and they were rescued.May the racehorse by the name

of Dunkirk go on to win the Triple Crown and become a great

champion and rescue the wonderful sport that horse racing is.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

2 time valley player of the year — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:25:59 GMT

Cheryl, most of the horses you site are turf specialist which don't produce dirt horses. what happened to street sense and Hard spun-retired.The great Sadler's Wells produced the prolific turf horses but no notable dirt horses. Sheikh wants the derby so bad he'll spend whatever it takes to get the best talent but racing them in Dubai is a mistake.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

LDP — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:36:26 GMT

Dan,

First off, tell me how 3mil is half of 10.5 mil. To do what he did in the amount of time he did it was amazing. Last year he went from maiden to BCC winner in what 8-9 months, name any other horse who has done that. He also won those races against one of the best three year old crops of recent memory. He also beat in his first start against older horses the top handicap horse Lawyer Ron who was a monster as a 4yr old. Then in the next year he goes and wins two races in Dubia, one was the WC and by almost 8 lengths, the most since Dubai Millenium. Then he comes back and wins by four over Einstien, which as you know won the clark, was third in this years donn and just won this years Big Cap. He won five consecutive dirt races, and any time he raced on dirt in 08 he won. In his first try on turf against G1 winners he ran second on a rock hard turf course. Then in his only off the board finish he lost by 2 3/4 lengths in forth. Let you know when Cigar went for his second consecutive Classic he got third. Curlin was not that far off, only a head. He has the record for most earnings for any NA based horse, won two consecutive JCGC's, and HOY titles. He also is the first horse since Skip Away to earn top 3yr old and handicap horse in consecutive years. If anything he was not pulicized enough. We should've capitalized on his accomplishments, built him up to the outside public. The reason nobody got to see any of the personality is because nobody ever covered that, no person ever tried to get to know Curlin and his connections, or just Curlin. Maybe if we'd tried to put him out to the public, it would've helped.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Julie L. — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:21:46 GMT

Slew.em.All - I do remember Jim Mackay's Wide World of Sports and you are right that they would show one or two horse races including some from overseas. That's our problem now that the only time we have nationally televised horse racing is when it is the Triple Crown races or the Breeders Cup, without the 3 year old prep races being televised the average joe out there does not know what is going on with racing so they have not had the chance to latch onto a horse that for whatever reason has captured their heart. They say that Native Dancer was the first truly big TV star, well it can happen again if we could just get the television people to jump on the bandwagon but before they do we have to get advertising to do the same. And we need to focus on the older horses that are still out there racing like Einstein and Magnum. Right now we also have the up and comers Cowboy Cal and Colonel John running today in the Santa Anita Handicap. Wouldn't it be nice if that grand race was being televised on a local station. We need the big farms to start negotiating with television. And maybe some trainers too, I remember that for awhile there they were calling Bob Baffert Mr. Hollywood. With the new show Jockeys airing maybe they could do one on trainers. The possiblities are out there, the horse racing industry just needs to get off their behinds and do something.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

TerriV — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:44:36 GMT

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say NEVER. So long as the three Triple Crown races are run there will always be a chance. If I were going to use the word NEVER, I'd say that there will never be another Triple Crown like Secretariat's Triple Crown.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Whatever — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:26:15 GMT

I can assure everyone that there are no Secretariats, Affirmeds or Seattle Slews in this years crop of 3 year olds. Keep dreaming. Breeders aren't interested in breeding a triple crown winner, only sprinters and turf/synthetic track specialists. Besides, the breeding formula is lone gone for those kinds of racehorses, they don't exist anymore. Let the so called experts tell you whatever they want, truth of the matter is there will NEVER be another triple crown winner. Next year at this time, more of the same.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Dan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:11:29 GMT

LyndaP,

Some of us had all the Curlin we could take. He was overexposed if anything to many who follow horse racing. He was good not great. He showed no real personality like Secretariat or John Henry did. Richest horse? Half of that came from Dubai.

The timing is right for a horse hero and I hope we get one. I hope he/she doesn't break down and stays safe. Horse racing cannot have another high profile breakdown and survive.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Cheryl, Newmarket, UK — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:56:54 GMT

Spot the deliberate mistake! Of course Yeats is not a gelding!

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Cheryl, Newmarket, UK — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:11:38 GMT

I have to disagree with the statement about Sheikh Mohammed and Coolmore rarely keeping horses in training after the age of 3. Sheikh Mohammed restarted the trend of keeping top class colts in training for longer: Daylami, Diktat, Doyen, Dubai Destination, Dubai Millennium, Fantastic Light, Grandera, Halling, Kayf Tara, Marienbard, Moon Ballad, Sakhee, Street Cry all stayed in training at 4 (some also 5 and 6) before being retired to stud.

We're also looking at how to improve the popularity of racing in Europe - National Hunt (jumps) racing has a big following because people can follow the same horses for years, year after year. Flat racing needs the same.

We've had some big stars of the Flat in recent years - Persian Punch, Sargeant Cecil and now Yeats (look them up if you need to) and the two things they all had in common were that they are geldings and all raced over longer distances - stayers.

Perhaps American racing should look to introduce more long-distance races as a way of encouraging horses to stay in training and gather a following.

Pay attention to Royal Ascot this year - if Yeats wins a record 4th Ascot Gold Cup (a G1 race over 2.5miles - yes 2.5 miles!) the crowd will bring the house down!

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Jamie — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:30:29 GMT

Well, Gomez could very well ride Dunkirk. (that's what I'm holding out for if he turns out to be a winner in the Florida Derby) There's just something about Pioneerof the Nile I can't get into.

I think the Jockeys show will bring more fans, and will actually benefit the Triple Crown season.

Every year I hope for a Triple Crown winner, but for some reason, the quality of this year's crop is making me think we're going to have a repeat of 2007, with a different winner with each classic. No matter what happens, it will be a fun time.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

The Legend — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:02:56 GMT

How can we have hero's in horse racing when there is exposure to the sport. Oh sure we have TVG and HRTV but other than the Triple Crown races and the Breeder's Cup what races are covered by national television? Next weekend we have 4 major Kentucky Derby Preps. How many of them will be televised on national television? I bet none.

So how can we have hero's when there is no exposure to the greatest sport in the world?

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

manowar4ever — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:02:05 GMT

I seem to recall that we did get a lot more horse racing on the usual network channels until the take off of the cable "premium" channels. And, yes, Wide World of Sports did showcase several races, outside of the big 3, during the year. That's how I managed to keep track of boys I mentioned before. Not long after our track, here in Denver, shut down in the early 80s, both of our newspapers pretty much dropped any coverage of horse racing with the exception of the Derby, Preakness and Belmont. I have had a running argument with them every since. It isn't doing any good.

Racing past the usual, as it has become, two seasons is also part of it.

My problem with several of the racing sites, which is the only way I can stay connected, are geared, seemingly, to the bettor. Sorry, I haven't bet since the Triple in 73, when I lost all three. Bet for Sham. What can I say? That turns most of the people I've known off.

Yep, have to agree with Dona on what to get rid of. A negative image is part of the problem, too. Unfortunately, it has been part of racing since it's beginning in Great Britain.

Also, have to agree with 2 Time, too. Sounds like most of us are on the same page. Now what? Preaching to the choir doesn't do much.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

TerriV — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:46:12 GMT

Like I said, put racing on the sports news, TV and newpaper and online news. Don't just show the derby prep races but for the entire week before the race showcase the horses, the jockeys, the human interest stories. Make people interested in the race before it's run. Talk about the great horses of the past, show their stories and connect them to racing today. And, yes, it would be really great if a horse that has just caught the public's imagination didn't disappear a few months later into the breeding shed.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Vespone — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:47:44 GMT

Great idea about having stakes races televised every weekend. Why don't you contact the television executives and suggest it. I'm sure they'll jump at the opportunity.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

2 time valley player of the year — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:09:10 GMT

Today's horse's are soft, over protected by owners and trainers to protect their investment.The day of the really great race horses is gone forever unless we get a once decade super gelding.It's a breeding business and for the real racing fan that sucks.The super wealthy owners like Goldophin and Coolmore want the best stallions. This sheikh buys and retires horses so fast[rarely past 3] that money is the only driving force in his life[besides winning the Derby].The mighty buck always wins out. It's ashame racing fans don't get to see these horses run as 4 year olds and up when they really could reach their potential.As i stated before the trainers of yester year knew how to have the horses ready to race a full year up to 10 to 12 races , nowadays forget about it, horses have to have at least 6 weeks unless its a triple crown contender.As for Curlin after Dubai last year he wasn't the same horse as his last few races showed. Conditioning is not the same and neither are the goals.You'll never see any of today's horses race with over 130 lbs the trainers refuse and the sport has lost its luster.Barbaro if he had lived would have been retired right after the Breeders cup if he ran.I don't want to hear the safety issue for decades horses ran more then this business angle took over and soft training.As for match races and breakdowns , they happen just like car accidents. that's life nobody human or animal gets out alive.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Nicole E — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:00:20 GMT

Slew.em.All--EXACTLY!!

the only way to make any athlete 'a house hold name' is to show them competing on national television. It really is a 'No Duh!" situation--no one will be brought into a sport if they have no clue about those who are competing. If stakes were televised every weekend, the average Joe could get to know horses in a far more personal way--and thus would get behind them in both routing and betting!

And a note: obviously, most people don't have TVG/HRTV so other stations need to become involved.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Dona — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:47:28 GMT

I'm afraid it a case of mismanagement and myosis, sprinkled with greed and stupidity. Take the case of Curlin, what a story was setting there and all the attention he garnished worldwide was a drop in the bucket compared to what it could have been. Helen Pitts and her barn nursed that horse to health, when no one wanted him, what if the new owners had left him with Helen? A woman trainer with a horse like Curlin gets attention everywhere. Good and bad, but attention. The Jockey show has highlighted how talented Chantal Sutherland is to a lot of people who never heard her. Some owner should put her on a really good horse ad sit back and bask in the attention. It's news, it's something that would play back and forth in the press and she's not just a pretty face. To get people interested in racing, racing has to be interesting. Some one suggested more stories about character horses. You bet! There's a ton of stories out there and most of all people want to be entertained. Use Barbaros' legacy, show the improvements that have been made in the equine health and welfare. Not in a matter of fact, look at us type of stories but real human interest stories of horses that have lived because of the attention and awareness that Barbaro brought to life. If the industry wants to survive, they need to learn some new survival skills and/or go back and look at the old timers and take a good look at how it was back then and get some pointers. Get the drugs, the crooks and the cheaters out of racing might be a good start. Racing past three is a big issue and I don't know the answer. How do you handle it when you have a valuable stallion and don't want to take a chance with him? Maybe dna testing and artificial inseminations time has come. Match racing, no. If another horse went down in a match race, that would seal the deal, period. Racing needs to think outside the box.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Slew.em.All — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:10:04 GMT

Good News: I agree with you..the only reason Barbaro's and Eight Belles's memories live on is because their tragedies happened on Live National TV,and All of these Animal Lovers came out of the woodwork.Where are they when a $10k claimer suffers the same fate?.It also doesn't help our sport when certain people comment on why it's wrong to race 2/3 y.o's because of their "fragile" bones.Funny thing is those comments usually come from females who are involved with other breeds,i.e..Equestrians,show jumping,etc.(no offense ladies)..Negativity seems to kill the enthusiasm in any sport.We need more die-hard Horseracing fans involved as opposed to "animal lovers".

Who out there remembers the sports program "Wide World of Sports" with the late Jim Mckay?..It seems like that show had a few races showcased every weekend along with other sports like Downhill skiing,bowling,etc..I think if the Industry really wants to survive/compete with others,they should televise a few Stakes races every weekend on National TV and NOT solely on these cable/satellite affiliated channels,(TVG/HRTV)..from then on,more and more people will get the chance to maybe follow a "favorite" horse of their choice and BOOM!! a Hero is born.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

SalemPoe — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:52:08 GMT

I was just a little girl then, but I am old enough to remember Ruffian's last race, and I cringe every time I hear the words "match race". Her tragic end may have been coincidental or inevitable or whatever, but "match race" is what stands out most in my mind from that horrible day. I hope I never see match races come back to the racing world.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Barbara — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:36:53 GMT

Barbaro would have been "the one"

I know it can never be "true" in any sense, but I believed then and

believe now he would have won the

Triple Crown. I think he would have

killed in the Belmont, given his

abilities. But we lost Barbaro..and

what do we have now? The best of the lot recently was Curlin but outside of horse racing who knew about him? The only way to have a horse become a "hero" is to have a Triple Crown winner...people need that kind of excitement to embrace a horse.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Nicole E — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:14:33 GMT

The solution is simple and has been stated many times on this post and in articles uncountable in the past--STOP RETIRING HORSES AT THE AGE OF 3. Think about it--the only horses to become even remotely known outside of the racing world (and that had nothing to do with the triple crown) were older horses...Cigar, Curlin (who wasn't known for winning the Preakness), Azeri, and even now Zenyatta. It can be done, the above are proof of that. The breeders and greedy owners are the problem.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Ernie Munick — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:32:27 GMT

We need a Gates or a Trump or a Mark Cuban---we need to turn those guys on---to finance huge events to keep horses in training for their four- and five-year-old years. Half-time of the Lions game on Thanksgiving, halftime of Knicks game on Christmas, a bonus for running in both, a HUGE bonus for winning both.

Unrelated. The Better Than Honour should be run on Mother 's Day. This year, the Unbridled's Song should be held on Father's Day. Casual Friday: Jockeys of any weight can ride. Troubled Thursday: A race for me.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

LDP — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:50:46 GMT

Brian A,

JJ is a good horseman. I just wish he'd kept curlin around a little longer. Ppl who are so dead set against match races. They are not that bad. Horse used to run just fine and come back just fine for years. It was ONLY because of what happened to ruffian and how bad that breakdown was that they haven't had one. Today, because of how weak the breed has become, yes. The reason why is because if you have two classic horse, both speedsters, then you have two horses sprinting all out 1 1/4. If it was a sprint, or two stalkers or closers, i'd feel differently.

re: Why Can't Racing Generate America's Next Great Hero?

Chris — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:07:28 GMT

Do match races have higher incidences of injury I'm unaware of? Ruffian vs. Foolish Pleasure was unfortunate, but because the Discovery blew up so many years ago, does that mean we should scrap space exploration altogether. Go to youtube and check out Valiant Pete and the Quarter Horse Griswold in a match race. It's one of the most exciting races I've ever seen. I'm 23, and Curlin vs. Big Brown would've been like War Admiral vs. Seabiscuit.