Rainmaker

re: Rainmaker

JordanA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:24:43 GMT

Vic has been going to Saratoga for longer than I've been alive and probably you too. The Graveyard of Champions is as accepted as the Spa. The reason for the name is that the horses that lost there, lost to unheralded horses in particular Man O' War who lost to Upset, only loss out of 21 starts. Secretariat and Gallant Fox also lost there. It's not a mistake it's just a little attention getter that has books written about it and pictorals printed. And duh, like those of us reading the bloodhorse regularly don't realize that favorites win and lose all the time, especially a bunch of handicappers like a lot of us are. Lay off Vic, he paints a picture that us racing fans love to read. Especially when we can't make it to Saratoga ourselves. And 'people' frequently make the mistake of giving an opinion that is irrelevant in the scope of what Vic and others like him are trying to convey. Enough with the cynicism.

re: Rainmaker

Jdtbred — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:04:24 GMT

Saratoga is not the "Graveyard of Favorites". Favorites win and lose there just about as often as anywhere else. In fact, they won a bit more there than normal last year. It is the "Graveyard of CHAMPIONS". Man O' War. Secretariat. etc. Not exactly sure how or when this got switched, but people regularly make this mistake. I know that the first time I noticed it was in Dave Litfin's first handicapping book.

Thanks for the update.

re: Rainmaker

Randy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:07:20 GMT

It's great to have you back with the dairy to keep us updated on Saratoga events and atmosphere. Also, congrats on your book, The History and Art of 25 Travers.