Derby Thoughts - One Day After

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

GOCURLIN — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:12:30 GMT

Amazing Derby Day, huh? Rick Dutrow is such a loudmouth. RIP 8 belles.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Matthew W — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:11:47 GMT

Re: the (supposed ) soft fractions--there was a tremendous headwind in the stretch, indeed MOST of the race was run in the headwind--I don't believe any horse in training including Curlin beats Big Brown that day, yes the crop is weak but he's not, you're looking at a super-horse.....

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

freshfan — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:26:57 GMT

I have been watching this sport since my great grandmother placed a bet on Thunder Gulch in the Kentucky Derby and won. I absolutely love it. I have read stories of many of the past winners. I find it silly that people complain so much about the cruel treatment if the horses and the sorry conditions of todays racing. Racing has come a LONG way from what it was. In fact, I think it may be becoming too soft. Past horses such as Seabiscuit ran 35 times in his first year of racing! Go back and look at past triple crown winners and their careers. Don't get me wrong, I don't want horses overworked and I don't want to see another Eight Belles tragedy. I just think the more running a horse does, the stronger it will be. As to this years Derby, I loved seeing Big Browns domination. I hope he continues on to win the Triple Crown. I was kinda hoping to see Pyro do better though. I would love to see Colonel John run in the Belmont, he is bred for the distance from what I understand of his pedigree. I want to see Big Brown prove he is the best against the best. By the way, anyone heard how Pyro came out of the Derby, I have been reading up on Preakness and post Derby and haven't heard anything at all about Pyro.

side note to jmark: I had hoped the time would be a little quicker, but then I recalled the horses had been running into a strong headwind, according to track announcers. With that considered as well as whatever effect coming out of the 20 post may have created, Big Brown ran quite a nice time.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Gman59063 — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:23:19 GMT

Mississippi Rick if horseracing is so cold and cruel and barbaric, can you please explain why you are on a horseracing website and he writing on a horseracing blog!

I have never seen so many self pro-claimed horse experts in one place. I think its time to stop trying to blame anyone for a tragic event, if the jockey had any for warning that Eight Belles was injured I guarantee he would have done all he could have to stop Eight Belles, I don't think it would have mattered where or who she was running against, she was trained to gie her all when she was on the track, all true athletes give their all when they perform! Once again I am sorry for a tragic loss!

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Matthew W — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:19:42 GMT

Big Brown has run three races this year: first, a tremendous alw race after which Kent thought this may be the best he's ridden...second, his awesome Fla Derby, where he rebroke at the 3/8 pole, a Derby prep I've not seen surpassed in my 37 years of racing....third, The Derby itself revealing himself to me as the best horse since 'Bid, and surely "Bidlike" in his total dominance----I'm interested in what happened to Col John as I think he's a good horse in a weak crop...hopefully he can get that (awful) 1 1/2 dirt mile at Belmont cuz you're lookin' at the triple crown winner---he'll smoke'em at Pimlico, just like 'Bid.....I'm exited....good thing I live in So Cal for the Breeders Cup vs Curlin....Hello!!

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

jmark — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:12:11 GMT

"Easy fractions" complainers, go to www.kentuckyderby.com and click on "History" All the charts from prior races are there. Other than years in which a speed and fade burner is entered (Spanish Chestnut, 2005), the fractions typically are 46-47 for the half, 1:10 something to 1:11 something for six panels. Please get your facts straight. Given where he was placed on the 1st turn, BB probably ran about a 46 flat half, maybe even 45 and change.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Mississippi Rick — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:27:12 GMT

Although I appreciate the content of this blog and the insightfulness of Jason and the many contributors, how can you all call yourself true "horse-lovers" and keep supporting this sport that is so barbaric and cruel in its treatment of animals. This sport should be outlawed! Bet on yourselves folks, bet on yourselves...

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

lorraine biffath — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:37:13 GMT

I didnt watch the race, but when I heard what happened it brought tears to my eyes.I watched the replay, I know accidents do happen but you can clearly see there was a slight problem when she pulled to the rail.An experienced jockey would of noticed that.In my opinion that accident should of never happened. What a waste of a beautiful animal. My heart goes out to those who are connected to her. RIP EIGHT BELLES

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

insider p — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:20:42 GMT

Joe: Denis of Cork will never beat BIG BROWN,time to face up to it you picked the wrong colt to put your money on.Denis of Cork is nothing more then a nice colt.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

brenda — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:19:18 GMT

Eight Bells breaking down was a tragedy, but this filly had proved she deserved the chance to mix it up with the boys. If she had not been hurt I doubt any one would be saying she didn't belong. As for Big Brown's average finish time, I wonder how many more lengths he ran than if he'd had a ground saving trip on the rail like we saw last year. He's a good colt, and I'll enjoying watching him in the future.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Gman59063 — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:08:40 GMT

That was a well written letter, Rubyfree. Your letter and well thought out analysis about horse racing really was right on target. The only thing I would add is how many people have been kept out of joining the ranks of owning horses strictly because of the cost. Thanks again Ruby for a wonderful letter!

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

joe — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:29:37 GMT

Dooge--I agree about the fake tracks, and really forgot about the Breeders Cup being out west this year. So much for a match up of Big Brown an Curlin. I almost think Steve Sexton and Churchill Downs are to blame for this, since they are so greedy.

Anyway, I am tired of arguing about the soft fractions and all. Need to give Big Brown his credit. Ran awesome. Cant stand the jock though. I actually thought Dutrow was very likeable and fun to watch. I didnt take him to be cocky. I thought he was having fun, and it was entertaining.

Hope I get my showdown in the Belmont, with Denis of Cork, and I hope I can get back on here and say told you so. If not, I will be happy to see a triple crown winner.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Johnny Mas — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:21:06 GMT

In all sports, humans as well as animals can die. It has always been that way and it will always be that way! Some horses like Go For Wand, Ruffian and now Eight Belles have run to their death. Why does this occur? It could be for many reasons but these horses like some humans in their quest for greatness will go for bust because their determinded hearts don't know no other way. Rare things sometimes can be explained and learned from but sometimes they can't. But I do know one thing...a hero will never be forgotten and a legend never dies!

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

hank — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:21:20 GMT

Rubyfree i love your analysis of whats happening, inbreeding has made a very fragile product, with the emphasis's on speed, training methods have evolved to generate speed. Horses race 10 or so starts and to the breeding shed. I is great to see Curlin brought back to the races. It was really great to watch top handicap horses like Tom Fool, Bold Ruler, Nashua to name a few who toted a lot of weight over 130 lbs and still won. Racing needs older horse to keep interest.

re: Derby Thoughts - One Day After

Karen — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:19:35 GMT

Ruby free: your post was long over due and so very well said. I couldn't agree with you more. It's Tuesday and I am still trying to make sense of this tragedy and the more the media and PETA get involved, the harder it gets. I believe the trainer and owner of this amazing filly loved her to the end of the earth.