Teresa Genaro has an interesting blog post about Derby fever, and how she can't get into it at this point on the calendar.
Which is too bad because the Kentucky Derby is the best thing going in American Thoroughbred racing, and I think it should be celebrated at every turn.
Some racing observers often lament the lack of a cohesive racing season, but the Derby provides that. Much like schools want one of the 68 spots in the NCAA tournament, so, too, do owners want one of the 20 spots in the Derby starting gate.
Earnings in graded stakes decide the 20 entrants, which creates a dash for the cash that begins in May the previous year but really gets going in the six months between the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Derby itself.
Regions throughout the country conduct a pattern of races that culminate in final preps that produce a sort of Final Four for the Derby. It's exciting and provides fan favorites on a regular basis more than any other division.
Again, the Derby is the ultimate goal, which is why I don't get too upset about horses who don't go on to great things after the Derby. The great thing is the Derby. Teams that win the World Series or Super Bowl don't play again. Sure, that city plays again, but the team is different. Anything on top of a Derby win for a horse and his (or her) connections is clear gravy.
Teresa looks at the lifetime records of Derby winners, and that suits her purpose, but since my point is that the Derby is the ultimate goal, it's only what happens before the Derby that matters and in that sense Super Saver is a little light on credentials, but in the four years before him you have a Canadian champion, a Grade 1 winner, a champion, and a Grade 1 winner.
Now granted, as a championship event, the Preakness form has held up across the entire three-year-old season better than any of the other classics, but as the ultimate prize in racing, the Derby as an event always holds up its end of the bargain.
One point I do agree with Teresa on is the top whatever lists. At this point in the year it's fun to talk about potential winners and who the leaders are and who can stay a route of ground and all that good stuff, but I don't invest too much time until nominations come out and I have to prepare for my Triple Crown Fantasy League. Ranking a top 20 now is just showing off.
As for the first comment, the esteemed O_Crunk seems to think the presence of underlays makes it a bad betting race, when in fact the presence of underlays is what makes it such a great betting race.
Viva le Derby, and especially Derby fever. The race can never get here quick enough, but I don't want to wish these five months away because this is the Derby trail is the "league" so many of racing's critics so desperately want.
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I'm not quite sure why you and Ray Paulick prefer to refer to Ms. Genaro as a "part-time" blogger. For my money she is as fulltime as it gets. When you compare activity between this blog and www.brooklynbackstretch.com during the month of November, I notice that not only does she provide her readers more content than you do, but her readers seem more likely to engage and offer more comments back than your readers do.
ReplyDeleteWhat does she have to do for you and Ray to consider her full-time?
Brooklyn Saint:
ReplyDeleteSeriously?
I think the point that she was making was that most sports fans are able to follow their new favorite players after say their first world series or super bowl. This is when they become household names and stars. Then the public is able to watch them compete for several years forming a bond. The retirement and scanty/poor performances of the triple crown horses has not been good for the overall health of racing in terms of creating fans. But racing has no central organization or structure to serve the fan which would grow the game. Unfortunately, the organization and structure serves to hype and provide money to 2 yo and 3 yo colts which then go the breeding shed to make money and pattern repeats itself. At least that is my take on her article.
ReplyDeleteI was under the assumption that Ms. Genaro was a "full-time cat wrangler".
ReplyDeleteI am in your camp-the derby chase and "talk up" leading up to the race is something every sport craves for.
ReplyDeleteI would consider Ms. Genaro a full time writer. Her various writings published on her own blog as well as multiple other website and media platforms each week clearly show the result of her full time efforts.
Gee Ed are you jealous she gets more hits than you do?
ReplyDeleteLindaVA:
ReplyDeleteMore like impressed considering I've used Teresa's work in Thoroughbred Times and recommended her for membership in the National Turf Writers Association (now the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters).
Wow! Thanks to everyone for leaping to my defense! I can say with certainty, though, that Ed meant no disrespect with his original comment...as he notes, he's hired me on a number of occasions to work for Thoroughbred Times, and he was a staunch supporter of my application to join the turf writers' association. We're also friends and share an affinity for food exploration and bourbon. I forgive him for being a dog person instead of a cat person.
ReplyDeleteI think that Mr. Perrone's characterization probably comes closest to the truth. ;)