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I only saw the finish of the replay (or a replay of the finish), but I evidently totally misread it. Sorry about that.  Another senior moment.
(Edited by Grimes at 12:01 am on May 20, 2007)
I’ve watched every one of Curlin’s races, and I’m a big fan. Street Sense went past Curlin as they came into the straight and went at least a length up probably more, but Curlin is one tough horse and you got the impression he really wanted it.
A fantastic race.
I started a thread about Curlin before the Kentucky Derby suggesting he was a superstar, and after the Kentucky Derby I was dissapointed, even though Curlin didn’t get the best of runs, but after tonights race I feel the comment was justified. :biggrin:
(Edited by Ted at 12:40 am on May 20, 2007)
The fractions were more suited to a sprint, with your outsider, Grimes and Xchanger fighting it out.
They went 22 and change for the first quarter and 45 odd for the half. Hard Spun added to the mix – Mario Pino didn’t think that it was fast enough, which I found amusing and took it up at half way.
The two main protagonists sat chilly out the back and waited for the front runners to come back, which they soon did, (except for Hard Spun who is as tough as old boots).
Curlin seemed to get first run round the top bend and Street Sense went past easy on his inside, taking two lengths out of the Arkansas Derby winner, going well.
I thought it was over, but Street Sense started to pull itself up just as Curlin got organised and drove on, getting up in a thrilling neck and neck battle right on the jamstick. An absolute thriller.
Borel is going to take a pasting – indeed he already has done on another forum, predicatably. He just seemed unlucky to me; losing his goggles, perhaps going too well, too early and looking round right at the wrong time, right as Curlin hit top gear.
Glad you lot won.:biggrin:
Thanks for the interesting account, Maxilon.
Loved that line, "Mario Pino didn’t think that it was fast enough, which I found amusing and took it up at half way."
No wonder it was a record time!
(Edited by Grimes at 11:14 am on May 20, 2007)
I don’t agree that Street Sense pulled himself up.<br>He beat Hard Spun by further than he did in the Kentucky Derby and it seems to me that the jockey is getting blamed for taking a very quick look over his shoulder as Curlin started to come back at him. Curlin didn’t seem to handle the track anywhere near as well as Street Sense and he took took a lot longer to hit his full stride, but once he did, he was catching Street Sense all the way.
Anyway, you can judge for yourselves. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUZY7vc9 … ed&search=<br>
(Edited by Ted at 11:41 am on May 20, 2007)
Unbelievable, Grimes. The two longshots were going like the clappers and Pino went past them like they were standing still.
Still a daft thing to do, imo, which kind of belies the myth that Stateside pilots have a clock in their head.
Ted, I’ve watched the race a few times now and I’ve come to the conclusion that Borel should have took tips from Harry Wragg, the "Head Waiter" himself. Wait. Wait some more and then wait even longer.
Not sure the look round was to blame, seeing as he couldn’t see a thing after losing his specs.
I think even Spencer at his best might have got him home, to be honest, but that’s taking nothing away from Curlin, who is a quality animal.
Lets hope that we can provide some worthwhile opposition in October at Monmouth. Not seen much over here so far which can match the colt form over there.
So much has been said about a tragedy and so little about what i think could be one of the best horses i’ve seen
Classic, Preakness, Jockey Club, Arkansas Derby and Rebel Stakes winner
I saw his first start and like James Willoughby thought i’d seen something special and when he did this
<!– m –>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9jMfP8SAE0<!– m –>
I knew i had
I’m going to take you on a little here EW if you don’t mind. See the trouble I have with these American stars is that they rarely perform outside of their own sphere [Dubai excepting, but that’s dirt] so, in my view, they get an inflated reputation worldwide. Ultimately I think it comes down to what do you prefer yourself, dirt, or turf, where are your priorities in acclaiming an individual to be the best in the world.
I would go as far to say that if he flew over here for a race like the Eclipse stakes as a one off, he would be finished at the 2f marker and come in about 20 lengths adrift. Unless he was specifically trained on turf for some time beforehand which would be quite a feat for one not used to it, a whole different way of running I think.
If you don’t mind me asking EW, just out of curiosity, when they dig up a lot of these dirt tracks and replace with polytrack, will you still be so involved do you think? Just wondered
A tremendously tough and classy individual who it’s hard to believe hadn’t raced before February this year. The Kentucky Derby probably came too quick for him, but his battles with Street Sense in the Preakness and Rags To Riches in the Belmont were two massive highlights of the season. The only surprise on Saturday was that he was able to win so damn easily!
I think it comes down to what do you prefer yourself, dirt, or turf, where are your priorities in acclaiming an individual to be the best in the world.
It’s one of my pet hates that broadcasters (Rishi Persad fr’instance) lob out "best in the world" adulation so freely.
It’s all so meaningless that it’s futile. Horses peaking at different time of the year, different surfaces and course types all combine to make these labels plain ludicrous. Organisations like Timeform and panels of international handicappers come up with their champions but even before last weekend would anybody really have said that Dylan Thomas could beat any horse in the world over a mile and a half on turf? It’s just educated guesswork and totally ignores and demeans the best in Australia, Japan and the Southern Hemisphere who are never even condsidered unless they come over to Europe or the BC.I’ve no preference UM
It don’t matter to me if the race is run on a Dirt, Turf, Cushion, Polytrack or Tepeta. It don’t matter if it’s a sprinter, middle distance or staying and although it’s hard to keep track of the racing from some quarters,. It don’t matter which country the horse comes from.either
I just appreciate good horses when i see them and Curlin is one imo
Curlin was incredibly impressive. It’s hard to believe that his debut victory was only eight months ago. There’s obviously more improvement to come.
The most impressive performance of the BC had to be War Pass. Made all to win in a canter. I think he can follow in the footsteps of Street Sense and capture the Kentucky Derby.
War Pass will have to show a bit of versatility though. I can’t see him being allowed to dominate things from the front at Churchill Downs.
A good performance by War Pass,
I liked the look of Pyro for the future, twice now he’s been given a lot of ground to make up on War Pass and if he can be ridden more prominently, i think he may be able to turn tables on his two time conqueror
Be interesting to hear what Breeding experts reckon regards trip, will Pyro get 10f iyo’s ???
I don’t watch American racing much as I am not an admirer, but I do agree that Curlin was very impressive and has been to date.
I do agree with UM though. But UM you should know what the American’s are like by now. They are the only country in the world that has a World Series between teams from their own country
It would be great to see the champion American horses come and have a crack at some of the best races in Europe – after all, some of the best European horses have a crack at their Championship races. But somehow, I doubt we will be seeing the likes of Curlin in Europe next year or any other year.
Mike
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