NYT Series: "Mangled Horses, Maimed Jockeys"

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I found this interesting - according to a tweet I got from DRF (don't recall if it was anyone in particular, and have not investigated the claim for veracity) - The last horse to break his maiden at Saratoga and go on to win the Kentucky Derby?

Decidedly ~ 1962

That's pretty sobering - looking back over the years at all of the horses that have debuted as 2yos convincingly at the Spa and what their careers at 3 through 5 turned out - usually sent to the BC off one prep, then given a ridiculous amt of time off, then are put on a stringent training regiment to try and make the Kentucky Derby field with no bottom in them... Then we see them at 4 or 5 for their return to the track, or they some how make it through 2 of the 3 legs of the TC and are off until their 4 year old campaign.

I don't know and never would consider myself even remotely knowledgeable on the subject, it just seems to me that some are bred to fly early and burn out, while others not only further develop, but improve with age.

The tweet originated from Darren Rogers in the Churchill Press Office.

Why should Maidenbreakers, typically going 6f in August, be some bellwether for Derby success?