Triple Crown...we have a contender!

[Marcus]

Is anyone following the Triple Crown? We have a contender this year. California based thoroughbred "I'll Have Another" has won the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness Stakes. We'll see what happens in 3 weeks at Belmont. Many a horse have won two, but can't bring it home on the last (and longest) track in the series. It's been 34 years since the last winner.

http://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/Ill_Have_Another

 

[dhermann1]

Yes! What an exciting race. I'll definitely be watching.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Back when I was in high school, my family toured Kentucky, my Mom's home state. We turned Churchill downs, Keeneland, and Calumet Farms. I think those horses had it better than I do, except for the whole 5 AM exercise run thing. I'm moving to OKC, which has Remington Park.

Later

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

We will see. The last leg is all ways the deal breaker. Living here in Louisville it is always a big deal. In high school I ushered at the Derby.
I worked the Derby that Secretariat won and he went on to win the triple crown. I was lucky enough to see him up close. He was a monster of a horse he destroyed all who raced against him such a horse. I alway pull for the triple crown as it is quite a task for a horse to race these three races in such a short period of time.

 

[dhermann1]

As much as I enjoy horse racing, I'm more and more concerned about the condition of the industry, and especially of the horses. They breed them for quicker and quicker return on investment. Which means they fill them full of drugs and make them run, when they're in no condition to. An average of 24 horses die on the race track EVERY WEEK in this country. If we have to do this to these beautiful animals, it makes me question the whole enterprise. Time was when there were three big sports in America, boxing, baseball and horse racing. Everything else was a small side show. Both boxing and racing are brutal dangerous sports, and have fallen drastically in popularity. I love watching both of them, but I have serious qualms.
OK, end of rant.
Go, I'll Have Another!

 

[Marcus]

I'm excited for this. I'm new to watching the races. We went to Santa Anita in April with the vintage crowd and I brought the whole family. It was a fun, relaxing day. It's great for us because I look at it as a way to combine interests of the family with both horses and doing something that was really popular during the golden era. My daughter is in a hunter/jumper program and we have a half lease on a very well tempered horse. Given that there has been no winner since I was born...I'm really excited to see it happen, but Belmont is most definitely the deal breaker. Would be nice though. Bodemeister has bowed out, so we'll see what happens.

 

[randooch]

As much as I enjoy horse racing, I'm more and more concerned about the condition of the industry, and especially of the horses. They breed them for quicker and quicker return on investment. Which means they fill them full of drugs and make them run, when they're in no condition to. An average of 24 horses die on the race track EVERY WEEK in this country. If we have to do this to these beautiful animals, it makes me question the whole enterprise. Time was when there were three big sports in America, boxing, baseball and horse racing. Everything else was a small side show. Both boxing and racing are brutal dangerous sports, and have fallen drastically in popularity. I love watching both of them, but I have serious qualms.
OK, end of rant.
Go, I'll Have Another!

Rant appreciated, and i concur. Horses in the "big league" racing circuit are treated far better than those of minor races, though. Most if not all of those 24 deaths per week are victims of the lower quality racing circuits, due to the fact that less money is on the line to lose. Cheap horses = lousy treatment = sad fact.

Triple-crown race horses are among the most pampered on the planet.

I'll Have Another was an 11,000-dollar horse. Pocket change in the racing world, making the victories that much sweeter.

 

[Marcus]

I thought he was bought for 35,000 for some reason...even so...that's still pocket change comparatively.

 

[dhermann1]

I believe he was first bought by a groom for $11,000, then sold for $35,000.

 

[Marcus]

Uh-oh.........

http://gma.yahoo.com/triple-crown-t...ont-labor-151550754--abc-news-topstories.html

 

[Marcus]

Well...looks like we're going to have to wait longer for a Triple Crown winner.........

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/i-ll-h...lmont-stakes-and-out-of-the-triple-crown.html

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Sad news is is stop the presses news here in Louisville.
Author of article is an old Louisville newspaper writer Pat Forde.