That Was Fast
The Derby party is over for Stardom Bound as her connections decide to point her to the Ashland and then the Oaks. I’m no trainer but doesn’t that seem like a quick decision? I’m also a little sad that they seem to have lost confidence in her. Plenty of folks have pointed out that her colleagues are just now catching up to her, she certainly didn’t take a step backwards but it seems like they’ve interpreted it that way.
Not that I want to turn in to the Gawker of racing but the internets uncovered some interesting speculation this afternoon… “look for Gomez to replace Smith” on Stardom Bound. But if we’re gonna speculate, you would think that any switch would be to Prado as Dutrow’s go to rider, although Iavarone was vague about when the transfer would happen. This just feels a little bit too much like the Hard Spun/Pino knee jerk reaction moment, that is, if it happens!
And because you knew it wouldn’t be long before this argument got trotted out:
Stardom Bound doing right thing staying w/ fillies. After Eight Belles, why would any owner consider taking the boys on? What’s the point?
The tweet-o-sphere immediately responded with:
And Ventura just finished a nose behind Gio Ponti in the Kilroe Mile. Sex isn’t a safety issue.
Fingers crossed that we can move on quickly from that argument, and I’m ready for the “Sex is not a Safety Issue” T-shirt!
In light of Einstein’s Big Cap win, Jessica and o_crunk have been trying to come up with a list of horses to win graded stakes on all three surfaces. So far they have Lava Man and Panty Raid. I just noticed Monterey Jazz has also has the 3 surface sweep. That’s a pretty short list, but then again it’s not an easy accomplishment. There have to be at least a few more, no?
Update: yes, there are quite a few more in fact. And doesn’t that sentiment re: “staying with the fillies” seem laughable now.
Posted by dana on Mar 09 2009
Filed Under: 2009, Impressive, Stardom Bound, Mike Smith, Omnisurface Stars, Twitter, Einstein, Internet, Lava Man, Hard Spun, Derby Trail, Mario Pino, Garrett Gomez, Racing
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Not fast, just prudent…at least for now. Could be a total PR move to take the heat off her and the connections.
I wouldn’t rule out the Derby just yet with these dudes. My scenarios:
1. IF she devastates the Ashland field in the much ballyhooed “3rd start” in her form cycle, look for IEAH, Iavarone, and Dutrow to rev up the Derby band.
2. IF she wins ordinarily or loses (but hits the board), it’ll be the Oaks.
Either way, let’s wish the champion luck.
Stay tuned
In my opinion, her style should keep her out of the Derby, not her ability. She was carried about 8 wide turining for home this weekend and needed a clear path all the way to the wire to just barely make it up in time. Double the size of that field and improve the quality of the competition and it would be a very tough rode to hoe in the Derby. In a shortened field in the Preakness after she wins the Oaks, why not?
She has the talent to beat the boys, but what a tough trip it could be to do it at Churchill.
The horse didn’t bring her A-game and still won the race. That is what exceptional horses do. Zenyatta had a tough time (by her standards anyway) in the Vanity last summer at Hollywood Park. It happens. With that said, I like the move to run her against fillies next time out. After that, I am sure they will play the hand they are dealt with the SB’s best interest in mind.
She runs her heart out everytime she loads in the gate, that is all you can ask of any horse.
The new Triple Crown! Kentucky Derby, followed by synth somewhere [seeing as Pimlico won’t exist soon ;-)], followed by grass at Belmont. All a mile and a quarter.
Another individual sport kind of has this already: tennis. The Grand Slam: US and Aussie Opens (hard), French (clay) and Wimbledon (grass) in one year is considered the hardest feat in the sport. Only a handful have ever accomplished it.
Bring it on.
“Sex isn’t a safety issue.” LOVE it! I need a bumper sticker.
While I appreciate Stardom Bound’s talent and grit, starting her against fillies makes sense to me as well. A filly running in the Derby is a talent issue, not a safety issue.
AmCap - you’re so right, I still think if Patena isn’t where they want him to be that they reconsider.
Ted - I was wondering if maybe she’ll be like Curlin in the Preakness… he learned so much from his Derby run and and really showed it in the Preakness. I think this was a good learning experience for her, at least that’s what I’m hoping!
CP - right on, I thought about Zenyatta in the Vanity too, and she came to perform well next out.
Swifty - as if it isn’t hard enough to win the TC! and I look at the potential closing of Pimilico more as a :( than a ;-)
SKA - I think you’ve got another good bumper sticker there in “A filly running in the Derby is a talent issue, not a safety issue”!!
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