Closed Minds

King Glorious · #1 05-03-2008, 09:55 PM

Sorry that Eight Belles died.

More people should open their eyes. In the rest of the world, fillies face the boys with success all the time. Only in this closed minded country is it looked at as a stupid move. I hope Eight Belles' performance today helps to change the minds of some people. I hate getting called stupid like I did when I suggested that the top fillies this year could run with the boys. She didn't win but she was far clear of the rest of the field and it took a potential superhorse to beat her. The decision to run here here was absolutely the right one. Hopefully now, we see Proud Spell facing the boys in races like the Haskell and Travers. She's at least as good as Eight Belles is and that's better than any male that will be in those races later, save for Big Brown.

horseofcourse · #2 05-03-2008, 10:10 PM

I obvously agree...but I think it will have the opposite effect. You already see the "see what happens when fillies run against colts" posts. The only way to keep breakdowns from happening is to end racing completely. I prefer to think of this breakdown as a coinscidence like most other breakdowns rather than turn it into a "see how cruel it is to run fillies against colts" event.

King Glorious · #3 05-03-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

I obvously agree...but I think it will have the opposite effect. You already see the "see what happens when fillies run against colts" posts. The only way to keep breakdowns from happening is to end racing completely. I prefer to think of this breakdown as a coinscidence like most other breakdowns rather than turn it into a "see how cruel it is to run fillies against colts" event.

People that say that are just being stupid. If that were the case, every female that has run against the boys would break down. The truth is that this is just a part of the game. Always has been and always will be. I'm pretty sure I've seen males break down at the end of races too. Just happens. Some will even say it's because of her breeding. More foolishness. Those same people said before the race that she wouldn't even be able to compete because of her breeding and she did that and some.

RolloTomasi · #4 05-03-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I'm pretty sure I've seen males break down at the end of races too. Just happens. Some will even say it's because of her breeding. More foolishness.

Certainly a horse's pedigree influences several characteristics that make a racehorse vulnerable to soundness issues.

King Glorious · #5 05-03-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Certainly a horse's pedigree influences several characteristics that make a racehorse vulnerable to soundness issues.

They can, to be sure. But to blame this on that would be foolish, IMO. It's not that cut and dried.

brianwspencer · #6 05-03-2008, 11:47 PM

KG, I couldn't agree more and have had the same conversation around my house today.

She didn't break down because she was a filly facing the boys. Ask Pine Island. Every racing nation in the world sees fillies against the boys all the time, and it's not a bad idea and it doesn't lead to mass filly casualties.

I knew it was going to be a silly blamefest once she broke down, and yes, it's a terrible bout of PR because she's the sentimental choice for so many today. The fact remains that she fit the race perfectly, she proved that perfectly, and she broke down. It shouldn't change anything about thinking whether or not fillies can run with boys. I frankly think it's silly and irrational to try to go on a witch hunt over this when horses break down all the time, for a variety of reasons -- but that's not going to stop plenty of people from doing so.

SCUDSBROTHER · #7 05-03-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Glorious

They can, to be sure. But to blame this on that would be foolish, IMO. It's not that cut and dried.

Concrete....I said it when I woke up and saw the track playing like it was.2 fillies hurt in 2 days.Hard sealed track yesterday,and they didn't want to open it up enough today.If you want to think it's just 2 fillies randomly breaking down,then fine.I don't think it's random.

RolloTomasi · #8 05-03-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Glorious

They can, to be sure. But to blame this on that would be foolish, IMO. It's not that cut and dried.

I'm not sure if anyone specifically said pedigree alone resulted in her breakdown, but that wouldn't have been any more foolish than saying that these things "just happen".

That's not to say that what happened today was particularly predictable, either.

Oaklawnfan · #9 05-03-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horseofcourse

I obvously agree...but I think it will have the opposite effect. You already see the "see what happens when fillies run against colts" posts. The only way to keep breakdowns from happening is to end racing completely. I prefer to think of this breakdown as a coinscidence like most other breakdowns rather than turn it into a "see how cruel it is to run fillies against colts" event.

I must disagree, this sad event may actually put a fire under some to run their top quality ladies against the boys.
Eight Belles, May God Rest Her Soul, was a racehorse through and through. She went the gate to win and gave her best. Anytime a Filly has a shot at winning a Triple Crown Race it's good for the sport.

Peace 8 Belles.