Go Olds!
Quality Road holds off Musket Man in the 2010 Met Mile (Jason Moran)
In an unusual and welcome turn of events, we’re having a year that’s not dominated by the 3-year-olds. Shy of Blind Luck, Evening Jewel and Lookin’ at Lucky you’d be hard pressed to find a consensus of fans jazzed about the youngins (sidebar: I’m still interested in Tapitsfly, Bickersons and Maximus Ruler). Too bad all the purse money is still showered on the 3-year-olds.
This is the first time since I’ve started paying attention (mid-2006) where the real interest, both with fans and the media, is with older horses. Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Quality Road, Blame, Rail Trip, General Quarters, Life at Ten, St. Trinians, Goldikova, Gio Ponti, Musket Man, Warrior’s Reward and Bribon are currently running and in good form (and health!). I Want Revenge, Mine That Bird and Careless Jewel look likely to get back to business in the near future. And Arson Squad, Bullsbay, Macho Again and Munnings could all get back to form at any moment.
That’s a helluva lot of nice horses and I feel like I’m missing a few! While I’m not entirely sure how it happened, I hope this trend of nice older horses staying in training is not a fluke.
Posted by dana on Jun 14 2010
Filed Under: I Want Revenge, General Quarters, Mine That Bird, 2010, Rachel Alexandra, Quality Road, Let Horses Race, :), Zenyatta, Jason Moran, Racing
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It would solve some of the problems in horse racing if the purses were raised for races run with older horses. Longevity when it comes to the horses careers is the biggest problem right now because there is more monetary incentive to retire and breed than there is to remain on the track.
It’s wonderful to have so many nice older horses this year. I really hope Mine that Bird is able to mature into a nice racehorse this year, being a gelding he could conceivably stick around for awhile.
Nice piece. I love it. Older horses are better, and the more we can keep around, the better.
Brian - right on and did you see MTB’s work today? pretty promising!
NB - thx!
A few others I saw mention of that I forgot were Le Gran Cru, and Presious Passion. I still feel like there are a few more. Gabby’s Golden Gal, Tizaqueena. Hmmm.
I did see his work, or rather read all about it and he sounds like he’s in the best shape of his life. He’ll be up against tough odds in the Whitney if Quality Road enters, but I’d love to see them go at it.
Tuscan Evening is another older horse who looks great this year!