2015: American Pharoah becomes 12th Triple Crown winner

[tector]

All the infighting aside, Haskin's "profiling", etc., it strikes me it is MUCH, MUCH harder to win the TC than in days past due to:

1. Changes in the breed
2. Changes in preferred training methods (largely a function of 1)
3. Changes in trainer tactics as to which races to participate in (largely a function of 2)
4. Field sizes

The Derby winner is being asked to do things that no other quality horse is ever asked to do today. Meanwhile, everybody else picks their spots and can adhere to a far more normal regimen, even though they are asked to go what is now a freakish distance in the Belmont.

Any horse that ever gets across those 3 wires first in only 5 weeks has done an unbelievably difficult thing in our present time--which, until equine-accommodating time machines are built, is the only time in which they can race. What is the most sensible bet is not something that can be determined until there is a live tote board. But I assume every racing fan is rooting for this horse.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by tector

Any horse that ever gets across those 3 wires first in only 5 weeks has done an unbelievably difficult thing in our present time--which, until equine-accommodating time machines are built, is the only time in which they can race. What is the most sensible bet is not something that can be determined until there is a live tote board. But I assume every racing fan is rooting for this horse.

This fan certainly is.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by tector

But I assume every racing fan is rooting for this horse.

Suddenly there are requirements for what horses one must root for in order to be considered a racing fan?

I hate to tell you, but one of the very best things about this great game is that the above is the very opposite of true.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Suddenly there are requirements for what horses one must root for in order to be considered a racing fan?

I hate to tell you, but one of the very best things about this great game is that the above is the very opposite of true.

I hate to agree with you, but I do.

However, he's probably referring to the casual racing fan.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I hate to agree with you, but I do.

However, he's probably referring to the casual racing fan.

i'm becoming damned sick and tired of hearing about casual fans. it's like having only express lanes open at the store-shouldn't you cater to the folks with a full buggy who are spending lots more money and keeping the lights on?

[OldDog]

What's that -- like those of us who occasionally wear shorts to the track?

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by OldDog

What's that -- like those of us who occasionally wear shorts to the track?

Yes, and the occasional wife beater shirt to go with those shorts.

[OldDog]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Yes, and the occasional wife beater shirt to go with those shorts.

I'm no occasional wife beater.

[tector]

I am going to bet whatever makes sense to bet. But if somebody is seriously considering what is best for racing, you are out of your self-absorbed effing mind if you think it is NOT a TC. Playing "Lucy with the football" on the general public has gotten old--try listening to something other than an echo chamber such as this one. There is a larger world out there.

If you don't give a crap about growing the game (or even seeing it wither away less slowly), wish for whatever the hell you want--nobody can or will take away your petty miserableness. Enjoy it, instead of a life.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm becoming damned sick and tired of hearing about casual fans. it's like having only express lanes open at the store-shouldn't you cater to the folks with a full buggy who are spending lots more money and keeping the lights on?

Most fans start as casual fans, I guess.

If you are actually asking me who I'd cater to, well, attendance would be quite small.

I get what you mean though. I'm just not sure what relevance who you are catering towards has on cheering for AP to win the TC.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by tector

All the infighting aside, Haskin's "profiling", etc., it strikes me it is MUCH, MUCH harder to win the TC than in days past due to:

1. Changes in the breed
2. Changes in preferred training methods (largely a function of 1)
3. Changes in trainer tactics as to which races to participate in (largely a function of 2)
4. Field sizes

The Derby winner is being asked to do things that no other quality horse is ever asked to do today. Meanwhile, everybody else picks their spots and can adhere to a far more normal regimen, even though they are asked to go what is now a freakish distance in the Belmont.

Any horse that ever gets across those 3 wires first in only 5 weeks has done an unbelievably difficult thing in our present time--which, until equine-accommodating time machines are built, is the only time in which they can race. What is the most sensible bet is not something that can be determined until there is a live tote board. But I assume every racing fan is rooting for this horse.

i don't think it's changes in the breed. the best is still going to be the best. changes in training-again, across the board. tactics, see one and two.

field size, imo, is the number one reason it's gotten more difficult.
we all know that overall the number of horses faced each year by a potential tc winner is greater than what it was in days passed. there might still have been new shooters, but a four horse field would conceivably be easier to conquer than a 10-12 horse field...and don't even get me started on the 20 horse field we now see regularly in ky.
one other you didn't mention-jockey tactics. used to be jocks rode their horse-now they tend to ride the favorite and take turns going after him. they don't ride to win, but to make the other 'lose' because they don't think he deserves it i guess.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by tector

All the infighting aside, Haskin's "profiling", etc., it strikes me it is MUCH, MUCH harder to win the TC than in days past due to:

1. Changes in the breed
2. Changes in preferred training methods (largely a function of 1)
3. Changes in trainer tactics as to which races to participate in (largely a function of 2)
4. Field sizes

The Derby winner is being asked to do things that no other quality horse is ever asked to do today. Meanwhile, everybody else picks their spots and can adhere to a far more normal regimen, even though they are asked to go what is now a freakish distance in the Belmont.

Any horse that ever gets across those 3 wires first in only 5 weeks has done an unbelievably difficult thing in our present time--which, until equine-accommodating time machines are built, is the only time in which they can race. What is the most sensible bet is not something that can be determined until there is a live tote board. But I assume every racing fan is rooting for this horse.

I thought this was an interesting article regarding Baffert's training methods. Obviously it will take the right horse and a lot of luck to pull off the Triple Crown, but I think his preparation methods prepare a horse very well for the series.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...lassic-success

[RHT2004]

Bob is the best. Imagine his Belmont day if he wins the triple crown, Met Mile and Woody Stephens.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

Bob is the best. Imagine his Belmont day if he wins the triple crown, Met Mile and Woody Stephens.

Not sure I'd be able to swallow the prices that will be attached to his horses that day. AP being low andBayern would be tough bc of how bad he was last time out. Secret Circle will be tough in the Woody Stephens if he goes.

Can't wait for that weekend to get here!

[RHT2004]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

Not sure I'd be able to swallow the prices that will be attached to his horses that day. AP being low andBayern would be tough bc of how bad he was last time out. Secret Circle will be tough in the Woody Stephens if he goes.

Can't wait for that weekend to get here!

Woody Stephens is restricted to 3yr olds. I see no reason why Secret Circle wouldn't come for the Belmont Sprint Championship.
I'm with you on not being able to wait. Very excited for that day.

[richard burch]

i just want rain. a lot of rain.

[NTamm1215]

It'll actually be awesome when he wins none of those!

Who the hell is he supposed to win the Woody with, Lord Nelson? Bayern better bounce back in a big way and the Belmont...

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

It'll actually be awesome when he wins none of those!

Who the hell is he supposed to win the Woody with, Lord Nelson? Bayern better bounce back in a big way and the Belmont...

Yeah, I can't figure out what lock he has for the Stephens, and if the story about Bayern almost being retired a few months ago is true, you can't like his chances.

I have no idea why you persist in underestimating AP, but him losing is unlikely.

[RHT2004]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

It'll actually be awesome when he wins none of those!

Who the hell is he supposed to win the Woody with, Lord Nelson? Bayern better bounce back in a big way and the Belmont...

Why do you hate Bob? As for Bayern is it unreasonable to assume he won't move forward 2nd start back? He was dealing with some issues over the winter, I'd guess him even showing up for the Met would mean he is healthy.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

Woody Stephens is restricted to 3yr olds. I see no reason why Secret Circle wouldn't come for the Belmont Sprint Championship.
I'm with you on not being able to wait. Very excited for that day.

Stupid me should've definitely know that. Can't even blame it on the "loud".

I'm leaving Philly at 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Going to be a long day!