May 11
23
I am so tired of hearing it. It’s the same talk every year for the past I don’t know how many years. “They are an ordinary bunch”, “They are a slow bunch”, “They are a substandard group”, “He’s not worthy of a Triple Crown”.
Every year the Thoroughbred industry leaders use these same horrible terms to describe the 3-year-olds battling for the Triple Crown. I am tired of hearing it. And frankly, they don’t know what they are talking about.
Most people have come to terms with the fact that the Thoroughbred is not the same animal it used to be. They don’t stand up to the rigors of running and training like they used to. Basically these days the Thoroughbred needs more time in between races to recover and they don’t have the tenacity to keep coming back with huge efforts race after race especially when considering the classic distances.
The breed has changed because the method of breeding changed say about 30 years ago. There was more emphasis put on breeding for speed instead of breeding for stamina back then. Therefore the speed influence has changed the breed we currently know.
Of course we still will find greatness in the breed as we just witnessed it the past 2 years with Zenyatta for one. But on average the breed has declined in performance and that’s a fact we all have to face right now. However I just don’t think it’s corect to disrespect the runners of today. They always seem to get less respect than they deserve. If a horse wins 2 of the 3 Triple Crown events he is not considered to be great. ok, I agree with that. But don’t just dismiss the horse and say “ehh, another year without a Triple Crown Champ” and “He’s ordinary”.
Every year I read our industry leaders comments and it amazes me that they just toss aside these horses and their monumental efforts because they fall a little short.
These horses are not average or ordinary but they are dispelled as if they were. Anyone who really saw what was going on in this year’s Preakness Stakes realizes the great effort that was given by the winner and the horse that just came up short. Ordinary, not in the least. A little bit slower than say the all time greats, yes, but not ordinary at all.
Since there hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner for so many years why don’t we just come to terms with the existing Thoroughbred and it is what it is and not for a lack of effort, can’t win the Crown right now? Why not still embrace these horses for trying their best and instead of knocking the industry that built the careers of these so called industry leaders where they still draw paychecks from, why not embarce what we have these days?
You know I have come to realize that these leaders are the ones dragging this industry down. They are the real problem as to why moral and spirit in this game are so low. Why don’t they give something back instead of just keep knocking it. I guess in reality they are not leaders. Leaders are supposed to be followed. These guys would lead us to oblivion.
I want to see a Triple Crown winner. We all do. But till it happens I will still be yelling for that 21-1 shot to win the Derby.I mean how sweet was that? I for one realize that the 3-year-olds that are being dismissed as ordinary and substandard are the winners of the major stakes races and Breeders’ Cups of tomorrow.
