Post by Peter Gross on Jun 1, 2010 4:58:39 GMT -5
The Belmont Stakes will be run this Saturday and looking at the lineup it's clear that once again we have a strong argument that the American Thoroughbred triple Crown asks way too much of three year-old horses. Of the 12 horses running the mile and a half on Sunday, not one has taken part in both of the first legs. Preakness winner Looking At luck is taking at pass..and Derby Champ Super Saver is not in the third leg as well. Ice Box, second in the Derby, might be the favourite - he wisely side-stepped the Preakness. In fact , 7 of the horses in the Belmont did not run in either the Derby or the Preakness. The reality is that it's just unreasonably cruel to ask young horses to run three distance races under top weights within a five week period. There is a much wiser Triple Crown schedule in Canada. The Queen's Plate, the first leg is on July 4, a full two months after the Kentucky Derby. The second leg in Canada, the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie is on July 25, three weeks later. And the Breeders Stakes at Woodbine, on the grass is August 15. That's 42 days - 7 weeks that the three races are spread out. Which explains why Canada has produced many more Triple Crown winners than the U.S. does. Affirmed in 1977 is the last American Triple Crown Champion, but since then, With Approval (1989), Izvestia (1990) ,Dance Smartly (1991), Peteski (1993) and Wando (1993).
It's also interesting to note that Mine That Bird, after winning the Kentucky Derby last year, has not found his way again to the winners circle. It's a whole argument about making sophomore horses go a mile and a quarter on unfriendly dirt so early in their careers and how much it can hurt them. Discuss amongst yourselves.
Meanwhile, have you noticed, how once again, Patrick Husbands is dominating the jockeys' race at Woodbine. Eurico Rosa da Silva started the year brilliantly and through the first month seemed to have a healthy lead, but Husbands has been cranking out the wins at a prodigious pace lately. Over the last ten cards of racing, ending on Sunday, May 30, Husbands has totaled 13 wins to take over top spot from da Silva with 40 wins to Eurico's 37. Husbands' 40th win came in the 10th race on Sunday when he brought home 14-1 shot, Accomplice to victory in a maiden special weight. Husbands had to hold off 48-1 longshot Sir Andrew, ridden by his nephew Terry. The all-Husbands exactor paid a mind-boggling $1,136.00
On the harness side, Randy Waples is clearly in his comfort zone. After dominating the Woodbine meet with 129 winners, 30 more than runner-up Sylvain Filion, Waples is clearly very comfortable at his home track, Mohawk. Through the first nine cards at Mohawk, Waples has 19 wins, putting him easily in first, well ahead of Mark Macdonald who holds down second. And maintaining the theme of keeping it all in the family (ala the Husbands), on Friday, May 28, Randy won two races and his father, the legendary Ron Waples won the fourth race on Learn The Lingo, who rang up a $47.20 win price. Waples the senior only drives a handful of times a year these days, but is still capable of teaching the younger generation of drivers a few things.
It's also interesting to note that Mine That Bird, after winning the Kentucky Derby last year, has not found his way again to the winners circle. It's a whole argument about making sophomore horses go a mile and a quarter on unfriendly dirt so early in their careers and how much it can hurt them. Discuss amongst yourselves.
Meanwhile, have you noticed, how once again, Patrick Husbands is dominating the jockeys' race at Woodbine. Eurico Rosa da Silva started the year brilliantly and through the first month seemed to have a healthy lead, but Husbands has been cranking out the wins at a prodigious pace lately. Over the last ten cards of racing, ending on Sunday, May 30, Husbands has totaled 13 wins to take over top spot from da Silva with 40 wins to Eurico's 37. Husbands' 40th win came in the 10th race on Sunday when he brought home 14-1 shot, Accomplice to victory in a maiden special weight. Husbands had to hold off 48-1 longshot Sir Andrew, ridden by his nephew Terry. The all-Husbands exactor paid a mind-boggling $1,136.00
On the harness side, Randy Waples is clearly in his comfort zone. After dominating the Woodbine meet with 129 winners, 30 more than runner-up Sylvain Filion, Waples is clearly very comfortable at his home track, Mohawk. Through the first nine cards at Mohawk, Waples has 19 wins, putting him easily in first, well ahead of Mark Macdonald who holds down second. And maintaining the theme of keeping it all in the family (ala the Husbands), on Friday, May 28, Randy won two races and his father, the legendary Ron Waples won the fourth race on Learn The Lingo, who rang up a $47.20 win price. Waples the senior only drives a handful of times a year these days, but is still capable of teaching the younger generation of drivers a few things.
