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Last Gunfighter wins his sixth in row, taking the Pimlico Special! Posted 11 hours ago
Fiftyshadesofhay gets there in the Black-Eyed Susan!Posted 12 hours ago
Ben's Cat rolls home in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint! Posted 13 hours ago
I'm Mom's Favorite scores in the Miss Preakness by a whisker! Posted 13 hours ago
Paynter worked 6f in 1:12.60 (3/17) at Betfair Hollywood Park on 5-17. Posted 15 hours ago
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Night Officer holds off Hoofit to win the Around the Cape Stakes. Posted 1 day ago
Walkwithapurpose has a bruised foot and is out of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. Posted 1 day ago
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Flat Out posted a 4F bullet work in 47:84 (1/22) on the dirt training track at Saratoga. Posted 3 days ago

Ride
Real Quiet
against other champions!

Real Quiet

1995 - Horse
Deceased
10 fans10

20 favorites20

[Edit]

Owner(s):

Michael E. Pegram -

Trainer:

Bob Baffert

Bred:

Kentucky (USA) by Little Hill Farm

Pedigree:

Quiet American - Really Blue by Believe It

Rating:

8.16/10

Profile

Pedigree

Progeny

Siblings

Photos

What the Horse Racing Nation is saying about Real Quiet...

Heartbreak in the Triple Crown

Can you imagine coming so close to achieving your most incredible dream only to have it snatched away from you by the narrowest of margins? The connections of these ten horses certainly can. I hope you enjoy my Top 10 near misses... Read More

Show All 18 Comments
J ReneeNeihart · Thank you for mentioning Afleet Alex!! :) · 805 days ago ·

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J ReneeNeihart · Oh, and Brian, Tim Tam was a great choice as well..if you can find any footage of his Belmont, please share it! I've had no luck. · 805 days ago ·

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zatt · Thanks Renee ... I will look into the Tim Tam footage. · 805 days ago ·

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bellesforever · well done..alex was nearest and dearest to me so thanks for putting him up there. · 805 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · When Tim Tam won the KY Derby the paper the next morning said, "Silky Sullivan looses", not "Tim Tam wins" · 433 days ago ·

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notobsessed · I actually cried when Silver Charm lost! · 433 days ago ·

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ARBY · Smarty Jones was a tough loss for me. I felt Jerry Bailey unduly pressured Smarty down the backstretch with a "no chance" runner. In the final yards Smarty just couldn't hold off the fresh Birstone ... Mary Lou Whitney was all class in the winner's circle. · 432 days ago ·

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railbird33 · I thought Silver Charm lost by a head-bob, not 3/4 of a length. Anyway, Baffert also lost the VISA triple crown $5 millon dollar bonus in those final jumps. · 432 days ago ·

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rubs23 · Needles was a monster · 4 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · Afleet Alex is often overlooked because he did it in reverse. Good call. However I contend I'll Have Another should be on the list. If only because the field for the Belmont was so weak there was no way if he raced he would've been denied. Not even being able to run is more frustrating. · 3 days ago ·

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CauseForConcern · The list could be many. How about Swale, Risen Star, Point Given, or A.P. Indy? · 3 days ago ·

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Sullivan · No one mentions Bold Forbes, who would've been the first to wire all 3 · 3 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · I believe it will happen again this year. Orb will cruise on saturday, with only Goldencents and Itsmyluckyday challenging. He will then fall just short in the Belmont as he will be defeated by REVOLUTIONARY. · 3 days ago ·

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travel_vic · I almost put in a little prayer so that Real Quiet would miss out..That and I had Solis and the deep closer, who is in out Hall of Fame. · 3 days ago ·

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travel_vic · The ALMOST phoniest excuse I have ever heard (saftey pin my arse), with the pin head rider up just did not have it (much Like Swale at Baltimore)....Canonero was ILL, covered in thrush and Majestic Prince was flat lame. Londgen quit as McMahon's trainer after that debacle......Risen Star was just unlucky and Afleet Alex and little too late from Churchill. · 3 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Tim Tam showed signs of lameness and should have been scratched as well. My first Derby colt. · 3 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · It is comical to see the comment "pin head rider". The jockey is there for the ride and the horse run. Great horses overcome bad ride. - I wonder who made those comments... · 3 days ago ·

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travel_vic · The majority of people who work daily with them, i.e. horseman's bookkeeper, correctly gave them that title...These are people who came by their careers the hard way often starting in the lowest rungs of their profession and bypassing most formal education....Horses run, riders are passengers. · 2 days ago ·

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Real Quiet

Him and Victory Gallop has and amazing rilvalry in 1998 and I think it was closest Triple Crown loss ever.

Show All 0 Comments

Where have all the Triple Crowns gone?

35 years and counting, Triple Crowns of the past are now just a wonderful, but distant memory.Read More

Show All 71 Comments
jane.raymond.7 · The one thing I keep coming back to is that something in the training systems changed in the 80's. · 21 days ago ·

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travel_vic · no more druggies were tolearated · 21 days ago ·

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ruffian65 · Great article Brian and I too was one of the young fans of the 70s and fully expected the Bid to win, its..what we had got used too. Never saw a drought like this coming...but man, so glad I was alive to see and remember back then. · 21 days ago ·

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sallyeastman · I · 21 days ago ·

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sallyeastman · I loved Victory Gallop! This year Revolutionary looks to be VG's reincarnation! · 21 days ago ·

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laura.statespoelstra · I lived through the thrill that was the 70's and have agonized ever since. My theories? Lasix, emphasis on extreme speed in breeding (the quick refund on purchase price) and neglecting the staying blood (the stallions wind up overseas when they don't get those precocious babies). Another theory is the drought began with the influx of Quarter Horse trainers. They didn't and don't know how to prep a horse for a route, and I don't mean 9 furlongs. The ability to work 5f in 1:00 in no way correlates to the ability to get 10f. Horses no longer work more than a mile and don't work more than once a week. When my daughter was doing cross country, they ran six miles at speed every day to race only three miles. Today's TB trainers do just the opposite. No wonder we can't get a Triple Crown winner. They're not bred to trained for it anymore. · 21 days ago ·

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tony bada bing · Was at Real Quiet's Belmont - remembering the roar at top the stretch still brings goosebumps - took a while for that photo to be posted. At least I had the tri... · 21 days ago ·

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rafirox · Zipse, I also was one of those spoiled childre able to watch the 70's fantastic horses. I still remember when I was 5, watching the litte Black & White telly, Secretariat winning the Belmont by 31 lengths. My uncle was saying "Too fast! Too fast! He can't keep that pace!" and my Dad was cursing Turcotte: "What the hell are you doing? You're going to ruin this horse! You moron! He's going to break down in thhe stretch!!!" And he kept going. I remember, down the lane, our jaw's just dropped. I wasn't old enough to truly understand his portraying dominance, but I was saying inside my head "Wow, what a monster!" I remember my father predicted Seattle Slew's Triple Crown in 1978, so I also predicted it (even though I hardly knew about the sport at that age) and watching Seattle Slew win each of the three races easily, wow! I remember watching Affirmed vs. Alydar. My dad was an Alydar fan, and was pulling for him. I bet my dad that Affirmed would win, and if he did, he'd have to make my bed for a month. But, if Alydar won, I would have too do the lawn for the next three months. Affirmed wouldn't let the monster get by him. I remember watching the entire stretch drive, and they were head to head! I was privileged to be able to see Spectacular Bid's Belmont in person, and another one of his 4 yr old races. He was great., but the pinhead ride just diminished his cchances. I think at this point many people, if they even have experienced it, have forgotten how fun it is to watch a monster sweep the series. For crying out loud, we have seen many great horses since '78. Lure, Cigar, Real Quiet, Sunday Silence, Easy Goer, Afleet Alex, Curlin, Big Brown, Rachel Alexandra, Havre de Grace, Zenyatta, I'll Have Another, etc... But, we have yet to see a TC in a while, and I want one soon. It will have a definite positive affect on racing, and on top of that, I want to see a horse who is strong enough, has the heart, and talented enough to sweep it. The idiotic inbred breeding, the ridiculous training methods, and the medications all play a role in making this already difficult sweep, much, much harder. · 21 days ago ·

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MjHawk · Great piece, Brian, and I, too, was lucky enough to see Secretariat on TV and that was an amazing run. Rafirox, I enjoyed your reminiscences as well. "Too fast, too fast!" I was just a teenager, but I thought the same thing. · 21 days ago ·

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rafirox · LOL, Mj. I was so little I barely comprehended what was occuring. Despite that, the memory of seeing that monster romp the stretch. Generally, when we see a horse win by 8-10 lengths, we are blown away. Usually, that is a result of the pace in favor towards them. The fact Secretariat kept the pace of 23 and change, 46 and change, 1:09 and change, 1:34 and change and finishing the 12 furlongs in 2:24 was just incredible. As t_v has noted, the '73 Belmont surface distributed 15 track records that year, but nonetheless, it was the best race run I've ever seen. Usually, when a horse beats the track record, it is by 1/5, maybe 2/5 or 3/5 of a second... He shaved 2 full seconds off the record!!!! Just a monster... · 21 days ago ·

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EvanAnouna · the triple crown will be won agian as long as racing continues. it may not be in our lifetime but it will happen · 21 days ago ·

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Jay S. · IMO, Risen Star (Possibly the most underrated horse of the last 50 years) is the one that really had it in him. Bad racing luck in the Derby for him and Eddie D. · 21 days ago ·

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rafirox · He was deserving, Jay. I think, to me, the most devastating was Real Quiet. He was my first Derby killer, so he has sentimental value. I nailed him big time that year at 8-1. I saw something in his stride no one else did. He came SO CLOSE to sweeping it with a broom, but he just missed. Smarty Jones was also sad. I've seen that race 100 times, and everytime I hope Smarty holds him off, but he never does. · 21 days ago ·

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rafirox · Afleet Alex definitely had the talent to sweep it. I remember the rail was dead that day, as it is many big days, and Jeremy Rose dumped him on the rail... He should have had it. · 21 days ago ·

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Jay S. · So true rafi...so true to both posts. · 21 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · @JayS - Agreed with you about Risen Star. BTW...Eddie was very upset after the race because he was instructed by Louie to keep the horse at the back but Eddie realize that the horse wants to be near the leaders. After the Derby he make the adjustment and the rest was history. · 21 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · Just adding: Afleet Alex and Point Given also was unfortunate horses. Eskendereya was a horse that I pick to win the triple crown but never had the opportunity to strut his stuff. · 21 days ago ·

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Jay S. · Excellent story zxswordxz! Yeah, that's really too bad. I bet Eddie D. was disappointed about that. · 21 days ago ·

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kaitlinefree1 · I'll Have Another was stalker like / closer. i think had he not been injured, he would have had a real chance in the Belmont. · 21 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · No matter how much I love Union rags, I would have wanted I'll Have Another to win. On the bright side, I might have picked out the exacta! · 21 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · I'm even older than Zipse, so the 70's was more golden for me. The lack of a TC winner since then makes the 70's seem even more rare and precious, maybe even the platinum era of racing! · 20 days ago ·

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ScottDick · Disappointment is the only word that comes to mind when I think of my triple crown experiences. I've yet to see one in my lifetime. Hopefully this will be the year! · 20 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · Very true, Jay S. (I wrote about my feelings on Risen Star just a few weeks ago http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/zatt/Louisiana_Derby_Legend_Risen_Star_123), but for this piece, I stuck with only horses that made it to the Belmont in position to win the Triple Crown. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Great points and story, Sword. I was also thinking about predicting his Triple Crown, but I talked myself out of it. He had an amazing stride, it was 2x the other horses! His backstretch stride was "determined" as Tom Durkin put it. He was a true monster and I honestly think he could have done it. I also believe Barbaro could have done it. After seeing him romp races, but then having the heart in the Florida Derby, I predicted his Triple Crown. I hit over $1,800 on the KY Derby that year. After his breakdown, and what Bernardini went on to do, I still think Barbaro would have done it. I even donated all my winnings on him to research for that dreadful disease. I think I'll Have Another could have done it, if not for the injury. I don't think he would have, I was prepared to bet Union Rags $20 Across, but his odds detreated after the I'll Have Another scratch. I think Union Rags would have beaten him, to be honest, but I think he would have challenged, and maybe won. Dr. Fager didn't run in the Triple Crown, but he would have won it. Those are four that couldn't finish or didn't run that may have done it. But, than of course, you have horses like Alydar and Sham. Those two talented horses would have done it, especially Alydar, in most any other year. Alydar is one of the most underrated horses of all time. If you rank Affirmed in top 10, he should be top 15. With all these "Could have been's" it really shows how hard this task is. First, the 20 horse field, ten furlong distance, quirky surface, humongous crowd, you face 19 other of the best 3 yr old's in the country. In the Preakness, you face the best again, sharp turns. Than the Belmont, a testing 12 furlong distance, big turns, sandy surface. That's three tough races in five weeks, three G1 races, three different tracks, three different distances. Name a horse who can accomplish those 3 races? It is a very difficult task, so when a horse wins it is very, very special. The idiotic inbred breeding, the ridiculous training methods and the overuse of medications all play a role in making this tough task all the more difficult. I think the next Triple Crown winner will come from an old school trainer and willing to stick to better, older training methods. The breeding hubub makes it even more difficult. A colt with value gets $$$$$$, so we won't even see thhem after the TC!!!! · 20 days ago ·

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CauseForConcern · The one that I thought was deserving, but a (I think) safety pin? A.P. Indy looked to be a man among children, but, he was scratched the day of the Derby, and prevailed impressively in the Belmont. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Oh, yes, CFC. I forgot him. He definitely would · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · 've done it, IMO. · 20 days ago ·

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Jay S. · Brian, unfortunately I missed your article on Risen Star and the link you put-in your comment doesn't seem to be active. I sure would like to read that one for sure. I'll hunt around for an archive or look under Risen Star's profile. Thanks. · 20 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/zatt/Louisiana_Derby_Legend_Risen_Star_123 · 20 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/zatt/Louisiana_Derby_Legend_Risen_Star_123 · 20 days ago ·

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Jay S. · Brian, the link did work. (I was initially including the parenthesis at the end). OUTSTANDING portrait of Risen Star. Really took me back. People always say Secretariat couldn't reproduce himself. I say that would've been impossible. But Risen Star really wasn't far off. · 20 days ago ·

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zxswordxz · That was a wonderful article Brian. I love it. I was very young when he run and I was super pump that the son of my favorite horse is going to make his daddy very proud. I remember screaming when I see him at the back and yelling at the TV for the jockey to urge him to move closer to Winning Color. One of the first rule I learn, a uncontested horse on the lead that can relax will win most of the time. · 20 days ago ·

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Jay S. · One thing I really like about your articles is that you and I are almost the exact same age, and you've very talented at articulating the "Feel" of the time about those horses. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · I think we are near the same age, Brian and Jay. I was born on 12/14/68..... How 'bout you guys? · 20 days ago ·

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Jay S. · Just the greatest year model ever...1967. :) · 20 days ago ·

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the bid · I started following racing in 1977, The Bid was the most deserving, but for that damn safety pin, The seventies was a very specail decade of racing. I know in my lifetime we will never witness that era of greatness again..... · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · The safety pin excuse was never proven. The only pin was the pinhead riding him... Spectacular Bid is one of the best I've ever seen, and if not for the ill-timed ride, he would have won the Belmont. Even after, Frankling admitted he was trying to show the world how good 'Bid was, and he was trying to prove he was better than Secretariat (or, downgrade his Belmont, in other words)... Either way, Spectacular Bid went on to have a spectacular 4 yr old season, and it stamps him, to me, as a top 5 or 6 all time horse. He was a perfect example of portraying dominance race after race, day after day. I know some older gentlemen who claim the 'Bid was better than Secretariat, and if 'Bid won the Belmont, we'd all be making that discussion, as it is somewhat justified, if he had won. But, IMO, Secretariat was the best horse of all time. I even met him when I was 17. It was an incredible experience. Just him, my dad, the groom, some other spectators, and me. We fed him peppermints, and he gave me evil stares... That arrogant son of a bitch. For any new fans to the sport, I recommend watching the Secretariat feautre on ESPN Sports Century. It gives you some excellent fact you'd probably wouldn't know. I'll post a link if anyone is interested. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · the Bid. I agree completely. The 70's was a fantastic decade for the sport. It shows how much fans love watching Triple Crowns. Those were the days where Secretariat, the big chestnut from Virginia, the smartest horse of all time, maybe the prettiest, so good he should be called G-d Disguised as a Horse. Then came 1975. Foolish Pleasure, Aviatar, Ruffian, etc. Ruffian's amazing front end speed, never before seen. I remember one time, I saw a feautre where they were showing her first work. Frank Whiteley said "Go nice and easy three furlongs. Gallop out easy for a half. I want a 37 or 38. Nice and easy.".... When the rider came back, Whiteley chuckled and asked: "How fast did you think you went, son?"... The young rider responded: "I don't know maybe 37. Why?" Whiteley: "No. Try 33 and change!" Rider: "No way, I would have felt it!".... Her stride was so long and effortless, she was just unstoppable. With her excellent speed, which is key for a match race, I believe she would have left Foolish Pleasure, a HOF horse, in the dust. If the Battle of the Sexes had a positive outcome, it would have been positive for racing. Than, we all watched Seattle Slew dominate the 1977 Triple Crown. We than saw Affirmed vs. Alydar, and that brought fans. So, with all this said, the 70's was definitely a golden era for racing, and we will never, at least in my life span, see another decade like that. On the flip side, the bid, while I agree with your points, the 40's racing was also great. In the Fab' 40's, horse racing was the second most popular sport in America. Whirlaway, Coal Town (right name?), Citation, etc. · 20 days ago ·

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UnionRagsRules · rafi... you really feel Union Rags would have won? I wanted him to race him so bad, and see what we got with the trips both of them want. It would have been a good race, for sure. I love Rags, but he pretty much got lucky with his size and stride. He had some heart, but not a lot, JMO. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · For crying out loud, the 40's had Noor and Bewitch!!!! · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · Rafi, Coaltown is one word. The 40's was the deade of Calumet, yes, but the 30's was when Horse Racing was uncontested. TV killed the sport as track officials actually opted out of having races be televised... if not for the few like Alfred Vanderbilt, it could've been lost altogether · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · URR. It's not that I am bagging I'll Have Another, but I believe many people don't understand how hard it is to win The Triple Crown. Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Smarty Jones, Barbaro, Big Brown and I'll Have Another were all "sure things" to win the TC after the first two jewels. But, the third jewel is not an easy task. In between the 1948-1973 drought, 11, count, 7 horses won the first two jewels on the Triple Crown. In between 1978, there have been even more! Spectacular Bid in '79, Alysheba in '88, Sunday Silence in '89, Silver Charm in '97, Real Quiet in '98, Charismatic in '99, War Emblem in '02, Funny Cide in '03, Smarty Jones in '04, Big Brown in '08, and I'll Have Another in '12.... These are KY/Preakness Doubles, but you could add the fact that A.P Indy could have done it, Risen Star could have done it. Many were pegging Barbaro's Triple Crown Afleet Alex could have if not for having a bad trip in the '05 Derby, the list goes on and on. My point, there have been so many "sure things" heading in to the thrid jewel, what makes people think I'll Have Another would have become the one colt to overcome the third jewel? Sunday Silence was great, he couldn · 20 days ago ·

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jonah5110 · Of these near misses, how many have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame? · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · What on earth makes you think people don't understand how hard it is to win the Triple Crown? · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · 't do it! The list goes on and on... The Test of the Champions takes down so many champions, and it takes a true champion to do it. Was IHA that champion? I'm iffy on it. Union Rags had talent and had the right trip. There are so many factors. What if IHA didn't like the surface? Had a premature ride? got boxxed in? We have no idea. He had the talent, but MANY horses have had the talent but didn't do it. Afleet Alex, Barbaro, Smarty Jones, etc are recent examples. I wouldn't be saying he would have... it's not easy to say so. Also, this shows how much a Triple Crown is good for racing. As previous stated by me, the 40's (Whirlaway in '41, Count Fleet in '43, Assault in '46 and Citation in '48) and the 70's (Secretariat in '73, Seattle Slew in '77, and Affimremd in '78) Shows how good a tc is for racing. Also, I'd like to point out, the 40's racing had more than mentioned. Whirlaway, Alsab, Count Fleet, Assault, Noor, Bewitch, Citation, etc. · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · Union Rags was very simply overrated. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · I believe this is my best thread ever. I love my posts on it. @jonah. Great question, I'll try to find the answer (as I don't know off hand). · 20 days ago ·

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Jay S. · Ever notice how enjoyable this site is until the two multi-account Butt Pirates show up? See y'all tonight. · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · Multiaccount butt pirates? Care to elaborate Jay S.? As far as I have seen today tcglory has not been a pain in the butt · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · See ya tonight, Jay. This is my favorite thread ever. I lvoe my comments on it. Re-reading, pretending I'm someone else, my posts sound so knowledgable and informal! My posts on THIS THREAD sound almost as ggood as, dare I say, the experts like Buckpasser and LAZ write on a REGULAR BASIS. @Jonah. What is your definition of a near miss? I assume you mean 2 out of thhe 3 jewels? Please clarify. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Sullivan, please don't ruin this thread, I beg of you. · 20 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Buckpasser and Laz have nothing to worry about. · 20 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · And, they don't brag about them selves*. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Great, now you said I insulted them. That was not an insult, but a compliment. Notice how I wrote "Re-reading, pretending I'm someone else, my posts sound so knowledgable and informal! My posts on THIS THREAD sound almost as ggood as, dare I say, the experts like Buckpasser and LAZ write on a REGULAR BASIS. " Notice how I wrote how they post this golden stuff on a REGULAR BASIS. Rather just one thread. I'll try to dodge all the arguments coming up, like jay. I think I'll just log-off and wait for Mary and Cocoa to leave... Site is usually more fun that way. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · @Buckpasser and LAZ. Please realize that post was a compliment, not an insult like Mary was wrongly suggesting. Have a good one! · 20 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Douche is an insult to the actual product. I didn't use any insults in my two previous posts. · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · Ruin this thread? I think "wait for Mary and Cocoa to leave... Site is usually more fun that way" did the trick. · 20 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Countdown to the early return in whichever form. · 20 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · No problem Rafi. I don't take offense easily. Have been a lawyer for too many years. I would just like today here that I understand the fans' frustration with the drought in TC winners, but I also look back and remember the the drought between Citation and Secretariat and all the might have Beens as well. That prior to Secretariat and with so many failures, racing writers asked was the TC too hard to win. And then of course came Secretariat and Seattle Slew and Affirmed in fairly rapid succession with a near miss by Spectacular Bid. Then the writers asked was the TC too easy to win and shouldn't changes be made to make it harder. Now we have a long drought and the question becomes is the TC too hard to win? The TC will come and may well be an extremely memorable victory like Secretariat's Belmont. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Good, Buckpasser. As I said, if I'm not mistaken, 7 horses won the KY/Preakness before losing the Belmont in between '48-'73. Since Affirmed won it in 1978, as I posted: Spectacular Bid in '79, Alysheba in '87 (please disregard that I accidentally said '88 in my original post), Sunday Silence in '89, Silver Charm in '97, Real Quiet in '98, Charismatic in '99, War Emblem in '02, Funny Cide in '03, Smarty Jones in '04, Big Brown in '08, and I'll Have Another in '12 all failed to win the Belmont. Than, of course, horses like A.P Indy in '92 who won the Belmont, but was unraced in KY and Preakness due to injury, Point Given could have done it if not for the poor trip, Risen Star could have done it if not for the trip. Afleet Alex in '05 missed out on the Derby, where despite the rail being dead, Rose dropped him onto the rail. In '06 Barbaro won the Derby in scintillating fashion, but was injured in Preakness. The list goes on and on. So many come so close, but it's that final step to get by which is truly difficult. As I said, three G1's, three different distances on three different tracks in five weeks is difficult. There are long droughts, and then, as you said, TC's that come in somewhat rapid fashion. I think that's the art to it. But, as we continues towards this downward spiral, the TC is getting more and more difficult for an abundace of reasons. Terrible training methods (We've had several discussions about that). Horses are inbred like crap. Overuse of medication... It's ust adds to the obstacles a horse must overcome to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown will eventually happen, but the longer it's nonexistent, the more fans will stop waiting for it to happen. As I said, the 40's (Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Assault, and Citation's) and in the 70's (Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed's) were the golden ages for racing. There is no doubt that a TC would have a definite positive affect on racing. · 20 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · I believe England's drought is longer with Nijinsky 1970. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Yes, Buckpasser, it is. The St. Leger makes the English Triple Crown extremely difficult, even more difficult than the Amercan Triple Crown. · 20 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · Definitely as Camelot's failure proved. I remember when Nijinsky won the St. Leger the British papers reported that he lost over 44 lbs. during the race. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Yes. The 1 13/16 distance is very testing. That's what allowed Encke to nip by Camelot in the late stages of that run. I've heard that about Nijinsky. Nijinksy (or in America known as Nijinsky II) was quite the horse. He broke a 36 year drought of the English Triple Crown, and since his victories, not horse in 33 years has done it. So, based on there has only been ONE English Triple Crown in the past 98 years, I would assume that the English Triple Crown is harder. Especially the St. Leger. · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · It's not hearing when you read it on Wikipedia · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Troll. Plain out troll. I actually only know that from Buckpasser's posts about it (he has mentioned it several times).... Buckpasser, i apologize. I'm logging off. I'll talk to you later today on this thread. · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · You know you don't have to lie for people to like you, rafi, right? · 20 days ago ·

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CauseForConcern · One that is usually omitted, and probably hardly ever thought of. And, came around the backside of the Triple Crown winners of the '70's. Pleasant Colony and Johnny Campo. · 20 days ago ·

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Sullivan · Another omitted is Bold Forbes · 20 days ago ·

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travel_vic · I saw three of them I am glad to say, many misses too....Thought Swale would have done it. · 20 days ago ·

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CauseForConcern · The list is many, but, how about Hansel? · 20 days ago ·

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Midnight Lute Pedigree Profile

A chorus of Midnight Lute's progeny are drumming up wins across the country. As he did on the racetrack, Midnight Lute is out-performing a solid group of stallions at stud, which include two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, International sensation Henrythenavigator and...Read More

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zatt · Good stuff, Laurie ... He's running away with the 2nd-crop sire list! · 46 days ago ·

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amino998 · Love these Profiles, Laura>>Do you have an opinion on the overall quality of the mares he received in the first 2 seasons, the last 2 seasons, and this year. TIA. · 46 days ago ·

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amino998 · next 2 seasons>> & ?. · 46 days ago ·

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AnnaK · Always appreciate these Laurie, and one of my favourite blogs to reread and catch up on when I've missed them. Many thx. · 46 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · He is BIG therefore he is suited to running a classic distance. His PEDIGREE means NOTHING. · 46 days ago ·

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amino998 · I believe his pedigree is much more dispositive than his size when it comes to classic distance capability. Maybe someday you will too. · 46 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Pedigree means one thing in terms of picking a stallion: it tells you how to not inbreed · 46 days ago ·

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From Rebel to Triple Crown Success

Let’s take a peek at the excellent history of Rebel Stakes runners to have gone on to win the Derby, Preakness, or Belmont.Read More

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mikemoss13 · Smarty Jones, with Curlin close behind. The year Smarty was here was just magical!! · 63 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Great history in the Rebel, not sure that this year's running will produce a Derby Star. · 62 days ago ·

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Baffert’s Hollywood (CashCall) Futurity Winners

Bob Baffert may be just a few days away from his seventh victory in the grade 1 race ... who were the best of his first six?Read More

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Mike in SB · Pretty good group, and I agree that Point Given is the best 3 year old of the 21st century. If Baffert has one this year as good as the first four on your list, then he will be in a good spot for the Classic races next year. · 155 days ago ·

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travel_vic · close groups with Bernardini and Curlin for best as these two continued to be at the top of their game beating up on older as well. · 155 days ago ·

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Trackside · CARVING is the best of Baffert's quartet in this year's renewal. You may have to alter your list, or put him at the bottom. · 155 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · I'm a big fan of both Real Quiet and Lookin at Lucky. This 2013 Futurity has a pretty good field beyond the Baffert gang. · 155 days ago ·

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MarcelloMarocco · Oxbow Wire to Wire!. · 154 days ago ·

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Collecting Horse Racing Memories

Monmouth Park’s biggest day of the year is the Haskell. There is great racing and a really big crowd. A lot of the crowd comes to increase their collection of racing memorabilia with the traditional Haskell Hat giveaway. Monmouth has been giving hats away since at least 1988.Read More

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skipaway2000 · I collect stuff too! I am very envious of your pinbacks, I love those. I have every program from my time at Del Mar last summer (I interned there, so that means I have every single day, eek!). I also have 12 years of The Blood Horse in my attic (yikes). I am fond of the bobbleheads, too and snagged Secretariat, Zenyatta, Chip Wooley, Ron Turcotte and my ultimate prize: Bob Baffert. I've got so much stuff, ya'll, but I have yet to swipe a saddle towel ;) · 689 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · skipaway2000, make me an offer. I am happy to trade, even a Secretariat. Memorabilia is like having a little piece of racing history. · 689 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · I have a bunch of good stuff as well, Matt, but believe or not, my favorites are the old racing forms. Nothing better than opening an old form with pp's of Forego, Slew or Bid! · 689 days ago ·

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micetic · I'm a serious collector of horse racing programs. Have almost 900 Hall of Fame horse programs dating back to Parole in 1882, a couple of Man o' War's, 7 Exterminator's including his maiden, War Admiral's maiden, 17 Stymie's etc. I also ahve a couple thousand DRFs from the 1950s and 1960s. If you Brian, or anybody else is interested I'll make you a good deal on Racing Forms. · 688 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · Great stuff ... we will have to talk more, micetic! · 688 days ago ·

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mary.schweitzer · Ooooh.......I have a bunch of collectibles. Pins (Ruffian/Foolish Pleasure; Secretariat; Twenty Grand (yes, *that* Twenty Grand), programs (BCup, Derby, etc.). My most treasured.....a complete set of racing programs from Easy Goer's races. Mint condition, all signed by Pat Day. :) · 687 days ago ·

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rockybudgeboa · I have several Racing collectables. I collect mainly though Stallion Registers and other books. Hey, Micetic, I think I sold you my collection of American Racing Manuals several years ago, To this day, I am kicking myself for doing that ;) · 687 days ago ·

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citronnade · I have one saddle cloth (which I missed on eBay - the buyer got a great deal, as I contacted them privately and offered over 3x their winning bid!) - I also collect older glasses and coffee mugs. My rule is to stay away from the "popular" races, otherwise I'd be constantly spending. I justify the expense by actually using them, and only buy from eBay - there's a bit of a thrill when you find something new and unique! · 687 days ago ·

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AnthonyAndrews · I'm so excited to get in touch with other collectors of racing memorabilia....I have an original Secretariat stamp, and the last program from Bay Meadows last day of racing. Meager in comparison to others, but it is a good start. · 687 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Hey, there quite a few of us collectors out there. Do we need to start a support group? LOL! · 686 days ago ·

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rockybudgeboa · Yes, a Support Group would be a great idea. If anyone here is on FB, Please add me as a friend :) · 686 days ago ·

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jasonike · I have a lot of memorabilia as well.... One of my favorites is the 1972 Blood Horse with Secretariat on the cover after winning the Laurel Futurity. This is in mint condition and being that this was before the triple crown chase there can't be many around. · 681 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Hey, jasonike, that sounds like a great Secretariat item, a rare one, too! What else do you have? · 681 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · Hey I am trying to get all of Spectacular Bid's racing programs, does anyone have his maiden race program? · 680 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Mike in SB, have you tried Derby Doug's Horse Racing Collectibles? He has a very large quarterly auction. · 680 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · Thanks Andy, I will try Derby Doug · 680 days ago ·

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micetic · For what it's worth I'm not a big fan of Doug Felkins. have dealt with him in the past and will never do so again. Inmo, Jim Settembre who is bigred51 on eBay is the best horsracing dealer around. dealer in · 679 days ago ·

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micetic · @ Mike in SB...have never heard of a Spectacular Bid maiden program. I think it was at Jefferson Downs, and will be a hard one to find. Actually think it may be easier to find a War Admiral maiden (at least of seen 2 of those) than Spectacular Bid's. @rockybudgetboa, the only large collection of ARMs I recall buying was from a very nice lady in Toronto. Was that you?The only large group · 679 days ago ·

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ruffian75 · Mike in SB - I've got the 1977 Keeneland September Yearling Sale book, in which Spectacular Bid was listed. · 679 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Spectacular Bid had his maiden win at Pimlico. Mike in SB, Derby Doug does not do his auctions anymore, sorry. · 679 days ago ·

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ruffian75 · Anyhow, I thought it was a nice piece of memorabilia. I find my posts to be bothersome to some, so, I'll bow out. I've been out of work for 2 years, and, the end is near. I really did enjoy rapping about horses, and sometimes being defensive over my beliefs. I hope you all enjoy nothing but success. Hope you make it to the Winner's Circle. · 679 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Micetic, thanks for your insights about those sellers. Bigred51 must have an amazing collection. · 678 days ago ·

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micetic · @andyscoggin...I was thinking of John Henry's maiden. Getting old is not all it's cracked up to be. · 676 days ago ·

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micetic · Bigred51...(Jim Settembre) is more of a dealer than a collector, however, it brings up an interesting thought to who has the best collections. I can really only speak to program or glass collectors. I think the best program collection is probably a family of lawyers in NYC. It was started by a judge who use to send his baliff out to the track everyday to pick up a program. They have 20 of the 22 races Man 'o War ran in. That's a pretty good start. ;) · 676 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · John Henry broke his maiden at JnD-Jefferson Downs??? Is that right? It was May 20, 1977. · 676 days ago ·

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12thCrown · Good stuff - Every time we move my wife "asks" that I consolidate my # of boxes. I'm 38 (born in the year of the great horse) and started collecting around 1990 with Lil E. Tee/Pine Bluff programs at Oaklawn Park. I occassionally find a winner's trophy from a quarter or T'bred race at antique shops. · 505 days ago ·

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ray.klausmeyer · I have several collectable pieces from The Horse of the year 1967 Damascus , trophy from the Belmont, pictures, saddle, helmet, boots,whips from exercise boy,if interested please contact me ( raven99227@aol.com) · 239 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · I collect glasses and have at least one glass or other item from every track in North America. My Derby glasses start from 1940. I also have racing programs starting with MOW and Upset. · 239 days ago ·

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Buckpasser · One of my favorite items is a bronze plaque commemorating the building of Aqueduct Race track and a stall plaque from Armed, Calumets great champion of the 40s. I also have a large collection of card decks with famous race horses pictures, like Citation, MOW, Ponder, Capot etc and also from racetracks like Tanforan, etc · 239 days ago ·

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LAZMANNICK · I’ve got an absolute mint condition $2 winning ticket bet on Secretariat in his last race, the Canadian International Championship. In those days they had separate win, place, show and cash windows. The ticket is blue and in honor of Secretariat the Ontario Jockey Club printed Bid Red across the top of it. I’ve also got tons of forms and memorabilia going way back. · 239 days ago ·

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ray.klausmeyer · I have several collectable pieces from The Horse of the year 1967 Damascus , trophy from the Belmont, pictures, saddle, helmet, boots,whips from exercise boy,if interested please contact me ( raven99227@aol.com) · 234 days ago ·

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illhaveanothertriplecrown · I have a couple of items from lesser claimer horses and everything else autographed pictures or tshirts from derby winners or other major stakes horses. If anyone has anything from any of this years derby crop i would be very interested. · 234 days ago ·

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shannonsaltz.peabody · I have a small collection of stines (John Henry, Ferdinand, Chris McCarron: all limited edition, Oak Tree, Santa Anita)1988-1997 if anyone's interested, e-mail me: shannon_saltz@yahoo.com · 181 days ago ·

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Baffert Attracts a Crowd at Belmont Park

As usual, trainer Bob Baffert attracted a crowd everywhere he went on the backstretch Thursday morning, two days before Zayat Stables’ colt Paynter runs in the 144th Belmont Stakes.Read More

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What A Triple Crown Would Mean: Getting Over The Fish

Dalton was heartbroken when Real Quiet lost the Triple Crown by a nose...Read More

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notobsessed · That's really great "we went inside to watch replays in horror for 10 minutes", pretty much sums up the feelings of disappointment wee have all felt from time to time when our favorite loses · 344 days ago ·

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Man o' War, Secretariat, Real Quiet, Victory Gallop, Alysheba-June 6th

Real Quiet was denied the Triple Crown when Victory Gallop edged him at the wire in the Belmont Stakes before an audience of 80,162.Read More

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Man o' War, Secretariat, Real Quiet, Victory Gallop, Alysheba-June 6th

Real Quiet was denied the Triple Crown when Victory Gallop edged him at the wire in the Belmont Stakes before an audience of 80,162.Read More

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Eleven Triple Crown Dreams Dashed - Part 1

Is I'll Have Another the horse to end an eleven race losing streak in the Belmont Stakes for dual Kentucky Derby/Preakness winners?Read More

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zatt · So many really good horses that have failed since 1978 ... this article is not helping my confidence. Be patient, Mario ... Be patient. · 355 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · Just a reminder of how very tough it is to win the Crown! · 354 days ago ·

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notobsessed · The won word that describes my anticipation about watching the Belmont: TREPIDATION · 354 days ago ·

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buds · 1997 silver charm, what an awesome horse. You can see the horse notice Touch Gold and kick it into another gear, but too little to late · 354 days ago ·

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Triple Crown Fever – I’ll Have Another

“No kidding around ... I have not had a case of Triple Crown Fever this bad since 1989.” Read More

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AndyScoggin · And to think on June 9th we will be at Belmont to witness history in the making! That will be a first for me. · 361 days ago ·

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rechelle.dorsey · Brian, I agree with you. This horse, when crossing the finish line, was still moving forward & away from the tiring pack. The only horse I think might have a chance with him is Alpha (I can't not include him, seeing how Bernardini is his sire and Bernardini has a lot of successful foals racing now). I love Union Rags, but I think the distance will be too far for him. As for your Big Brown comment, I don't think it was the horse himself that made you root against him, I think it was his obnoxious connections (Ivarone & Dutrow), as well as his horrible hooves. · 361 days ago ·

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rechelle.dorsey · Sorry stupid computer glitched on me. · 361 days ago ·

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anita.xanax · Genetically he's as legit as they come. He has the heart and desire you can't train in, and the level head needed. I didn't see him for the Derby either, much to my dismay. Now if the genes prevail, Cookie can do it!! I'LL HAVE ANOTHER!! · 361 days ago ·

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arazi · Awesome! Can't wait for IHA to do it... · 361 days ago ·

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nother · IHA will get it done ;; he is a spicial horse ;; the doubters dont realize the ability required to run down a super freak like bode;; what puts iha over the top is 3 thinigs;; relaxed temperament to stalk iin the most perfect spot re the pace;; killer tactiical speed;; and last but not least distance breeding;; he holds the aces in alll three;; jmo · 361 days ago ·

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amberflash · 1989 was the first Derby I ever watched and the first time I ever fell in love with a racehorse was with Sunday Silence. Since then, although I've loved both Cigar and Zenyatta, none of the other Derby runners have ever had my heart... until now. IHA isn't just good, he has HEART, and it's so inspiring to watch him run that I can see him bringing in new fans. Like Mario Guitierrez, he's humble in victory but humility does not necessarily exclude greatness. Speaking of Mario - have any column inches been spent on his bond with this particular horse? Jockeys are usually seen as "hands for hire" but is it possible that there's something special between Mario and IHA that has made all of this possible so far? IHA didn't seem to perform this way for any other rider.... · 361 days ago ·

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jmcleav · I have to admit Easy Goer had my heart in 1989, and Big Brown majorly had my attention even though I never choose him for the Derby. But IHA is bringing the dream alive, and I for one believe in him. · 361 days ago ·

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Bucky · I saw ill have another win the kentucky derby live,and won some good greens on him that day I watched him race the preakness on tv and won some greens that day as well I will also watch him at the Bellmont and win some greens that day as we honor him the tripple crown what a awsome horse and jocky they also should win horse of the year hats off to you ill have another · 361 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · Potential nightmare subjects: Union Rags, Dullahan, Paynter, Alpha... · 361 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Brian, that would be a scarier nightmare if one with the breeding of Paynter(Awesome Again out of Tiznow's full sister) had stakes wins to his credit. But then, no one has told him he is out-classed at this point. · 361 days ago ·

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Tony Bada Bing · Brian. love the enthusiasm...the fact of the matter is recent and long-standing history is not on I'll Have Another's side. Don't get me wrong, his Preakness proved, at least to me, how special he and his rider are. The problem is Belmont - the sandy surface, the distance, the configuration of the track, the difference in timing. If I'll Have Another is a true champion he will mitigate all that and win. If not, who are we left with · 361 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · I think IHA is a much better horse than any of the others and the added distance of the Belmont will suit him best of all. · 359 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · "Velazquez picks up mount on Union Rags" lethal combination. This is a definite threat. · 359 days ago ·

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Will I’ll Have Another Sweep Triple Crown?

I’ll Have Another will try to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 when he runs in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9. Since Spectacular Bid in 1979, eleven 3-year-olds have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to fail in their Triple Crown quest at Belmont Park. Spec...Read More

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Lord of Belmont · Dullahan is lying in wait and bred to win the Belmont. Asking I'll Have Another to repeat this feat again in another 3 weeks may be asking too much. Dullahan will have had a nice 5 week rest going into the Big Sandy 1 1/2 mile monster. · 363 days ago ·

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spoons · I agree. Dullahan and also Union Rags are both going to make him have to fight for it. · 363 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Dullahanis an Allowance horse at best, came the last quarter in 27. gimme a break. · 361 days ago ·

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AnnaK · Would love a Triple Crown, mostly because it would pull people in to the races, (already started I like to think), plus IHA is such a strong red engine and Mario is excellent, that it just might be. Can't see Dullahan doing it, 27 in the last q good to know, that fancy inefficient leg work, so IHA and UR and anyone else can duke it out. · 361 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Icy, Dullahan is the best Allowance horse I have ever seen, especially since he has won graded stakes. Or was I not to take you literally? · 361 days ago ·

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Don't Discount Liaison

He may not be flashy, he may not be brilliant, but Liaison always gets the job done. Read More

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brooklyn.steve · I think he is the est of a bad crop of Cali 2yos. None of the favorites even came close to being a factor in that race. Lets see what happensto them on the SA dirt. · 516 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · He already likes SA dirt ;) Plus as you and i discussed the faves all had holes in their resumes. · 516 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · Well, he was the 2nd favorite in the race ... I like him, in both of his stakes wins it looked like Rousing Sermon had enough momentum to catch him, and both time Liaison had another gear. Both could be factors next spring. · 516 days ago ·

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bigbrown2332 · I'd like to point out that most people would find Liaison flashy and brilliant. Why would you say that he is not. He was a bit rank at one or tow times of the race, but he didn't pull to hard, he relaxed a bit and kept a nice hold of the bit. I loved his stride and his running style in the Real Quiet and thought he would be awful tough in the cash call. I love his mom, she ran well at a distance. I think that he will relax and run better next year without blinkers, I think it was to keep him focused but I think he's learned his lessons. He's my derby horse though. I don't think distance is any where near the top of his problems list.Its hard to fault him · 516 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · bigbrown, his last two stakes tries have been won in close decisions and he has never won a race in a blowout performance. Typically, people do not classify that as flashy or brilliant, it is a matter of opinion, a popular one though. He is a solid horse with a ton of upside, but when compared to Union Rags or Hansen, he would not typically be called flashy or brilliant, but solid. · 516 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Big Brown ran a good KD running both turns wide from the PP#20 · 516 days ago ·

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rorschach1992 · No, but as it is now, he's a great dark horse for Derby consideration. · 516 days ago ·

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travel_vic · if you look at the Brown OUT's races, he could NOT run inside of other horses. Why else would someone select post 20. Review his Preakness and he drifted wide and almost blew the back of the clubhourse turn when a horse was lapped outsdie of him and then we all witnessed the big bomb in the Belmont when he blew up down on the rail indside of others again. · 516 days ago ·

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Cardly Knot · I posted on here Liaison to win the CCF. Please take nothing away from Rousing Sermon, who probably ran the best race. RS has nothing to prove until he gets his 9f option, and beyond. With that said, I'm also wondering if Liaison gets Blinker's off next time out. He seems to stop, either it be distance limitations or bordem. As for Big Brown, I don't think we'll see another one like for sometime, and I can't wait to see his offspring run the · 515 days ago ·

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stevebiscuit · His grit reminds me of Silver Charm. Mark my words, this horse will win the Kentucky Derby! · 514 days ago ·

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RyanBrady · Certainly California's "It" Horse at the moment! · 512 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Steve, I'm holding you to that. · 388 days ago ·

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timgsmith10 · HAHA nice find... LIASON ALL THE WAY in 2012!! · 388 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · cocoa, troll of the week award. Come on, at that point both Liaison and Rousing Sermon had a pretty good rivalry going on. Liaison might love Hollywood Park again. I always like R.S. more due to the way he closed and I gave up on Liaison after the Lewis (place pick in that), even with the clipped heels/lost jock he wasn't going to do better than maybe 4th., but that's not certain. Scary thing is, if he's in the Derby, he has a chance. Doubt I'll put him in my super though. · 388 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Steve has uttered a few unkind words at me, not undeserved, but unkind, and this seems like fair revenge. I really want to see it play it, usually these things bite me in the butt. Maybe you'll be better off betting Liason anyway. · 388 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Troll of the week!?! Are you kidding? I deserve troll of the year! Mary you are an unjust judge. Who can compete with me. Neither Troy, nor Sally, nor Tim are as skilled as I. · 388 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · Not a award you should be proud to get...but who would I be to judge? good for you! · 388 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · An award nonetheless. · 388 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · an award as good as any! · 388 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Well... I'd rather trainer of the year, but I'll take this one · 388 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · oh darn. Ill be sure to nominate you an Eclipse! · 388 days ago ·

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buckpasser · For Cocoa and Tampa Bay Downs Fan. I am not sure if either of you would be interested in this book. It is on eBay for about $7.99. It is Joe Palmers This Was Racing. Joe was a leading racing writer in the 40s and earlier. He was the racing editor of the NY Herald Tribune which at the time was a great paper, especially for racing. His particular favorite was Stymie. I mention the book if either of you might be interested. · 388 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · I have some $ from mowing lawns, I'll be bidding. · 388 days ago ·

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AnnaK · I have $ taking my empty wine bottles back. ( just takes awhile)Sounds like an excellent read, hope it doesn't make me pine for younger gentler days. And t_vic's about Brown's only being an out runner. Damn you guys, so good!! · 388 days ago ·

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buckpasser · This book is a compilation of his writings. There are short sections about Twenty Grand, part of Greentrees Gas House Gang. They were compiled by Red Smith after palmers death in 1952. · 388 days ago ·

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buckpasser · For Cocoa and Tampa Bay or AnnaK. I will be on the lookout for you for a book for you. David Alexanders A Sound Of Horses: the world of racing from Eclipse to Kelso. One of the stories in it formed the basis for Lauren Hillenbrands Seabiscuit. It is one of my favorite books. If I find a copy of it , I will let all of you know. · 388 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · cocoa, I hear the real money is in being a caddy. a little inside humor. · 388 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · Oh looks like me and cocoa might have ourselves a biddin war!! And to anyone who can get it, i would highly suggest Arcaro's "i ride to win" hard to find, but well worth the money. · 387 days ago ·

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buckpasser · TBDF. I am sure you are kidding, but the Joe Oalmer book is not that hard to find. The David Alexander book is in the used section of amazon go under $12.00 for a decent hard cover. Arcaro's book is very good, also I would recommend Wink about Jimmy wink field. Who was a top jockey in the Us and worked as a trainer and jockey for the Tsar of Russia and was a trainer in France when the German invaded in 1940. Also Golden Goosebabout Roscoe Goose who rode Donerail the largest long shot in derby history. · 387 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · so many books! Are they all on ebay/amazon? · 387 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Buckpasser, did Donerail win? Oh, and only the Czar? No pressure there. =d · 387 days ago ·

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buckpasser · Better bet is Amazon. And yes Donerail won. Yes the Tsar. He was unable to train in the us because of Jim Crow laws, do he went abroad. Great biography. But if you have to get one book, get David Alexander's book. You will truly love it. · 387 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Racism strikes again. · 387 days ago ·

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sallyeastman · Don't use my name in connection with a troll. I had AK last year and maybe I'll have the winner this year too. CoCo Loco you really are okay, even if the other bettors here don't think so. · 387 days ago ·

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sallyeastman · I meant to say maybe I'll have another winner this year. · 387 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · 1/20 chance. Take it or leave it. · 387 days ago ·

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TampaBayDowns Fan · Im one for the longshot, but one of the horses has taken my eye from the others... · 386 days ago ·

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Real Quiet

Remembering RQ's Triple crown run: http://tbgreats.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-horse-got-you-interested.html

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The Derby Trail goes through Santa Anita

Marc Doche, of SoCal Scoop, previews the Road to the Roses through Southern California... Read More

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travel_vic · TOO EARLY to know, but if that track does not calm down, it will be very difficult to evaluate an Anita shipper to an eastern course. · 506 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · Rousing Sermon should like to stretch out, but to me Creative Cause is the best CA colt, and right up there with the best of his age in the nation. Don't forget that he drilled his rivals in the Norfolk. · 506 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · There doesn't seem to be a single standout like Lookin at Lucky, but the depth is pretty good, looks like a few horses with a good chance to improve and win some big races next year, maybe even the Derby. · 506 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · CC has yet to face Liaison, Sabercat, Hierro, or SC. CC is probably the most accomplished, with Liaison right there, but on pure talent, SC wins that. Sabercat seems to love distance, so none of these can be counted out. · 506 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · DH, I would like to know more about the pure talent of Secret Circle (SC, those initials always have my old brain working to figure out which horse?) because Creative Cause has beaten or finished ahead of the best horses in Secret Circle's first two races and I just watched the replay again to remind myself of the quite noticeable drifting in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint by Secret Circle. I would think, given his speed that Secret Circle will stay in sprints, but I see some news that he may be tried in longer races. Do you think so? you mentioned · 506 days ago ·

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Mary Z. · The "you mentioned" was from the first sentence. · 506 days ago ·

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Floridaf · Secret Circle's pedigree indicates that he may have some distance in him, but two of his dam's 3 wins were in sprints. If he gets the distance, it will probably be from his sire line. So far, though, he looks like he'll do better sprinting. · 505 days ago ·

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travel_vic · listen to what the individual does and not the theoretical pedigree · 505 days ago ·

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12thCrown · It's surprising that the SA Derby winner hasn't won at Churchill in 23 years, but a deceiving stat. One of my favorite angles is playing a runner up in Derby prep in the KY Derby. Plus, many SA horses ship out to get a taste of dirt before Derby. I still think Lookin At Lucky was the class of his crop. · 505 days ago ·

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nimrod · With respect to Secret Circle being able to able to go distance; he's be working regularly and as done a couple of recent 6f bullets...the Sam is gong to be an interesting race. I'm keeping my eye on LD as well.... · 505 days ago ·

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Cardly Knot · Overall, it really looks like the best future SA Derby we've seen in awhile. So many good ones this time, compared to just 1 or 2 standouts thrown in with others. Creative Cause, Liaison, Secret Circle, Drill, Sabercat, Rousing Sermon, Hierro - now you can throw in Fed Biz after a very impressive maiden win yesterday, and Sky Kingdom's regal pedigree might just peak somewhere down the line. With all those said, it looks much more contentious out in CA than back east, where Hansen and Union Rags seem to be taking the opinionated-cake . Will be interesting to see who Baffert and Assmusen send to Oaklawn, or if others decide to ship to SA, now w/ conventional dirt. · 503 days ago ·

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Cardly Knot · Forgot to mention Fly Lexis Fly...who I believe is headed to SA to Drysdale's Barn??? · 503 days ago ·

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broxtone · Hey bloggers why would Baffert run two of his best derby prospects aginst each other so early on the derby trail? · 470 days ago ·

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Auld Lang Syne

Farwell to thee … A.P. Jet (21) Japanese stakes winner was a solid sire in the States. Anjiz (22) Stakes winner in England in U.S. passed away in Argentina. I saw him win the Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. Black Tie Affair (25) The Horse of the Year of 1991 got better every year for Ernie Poulos. I sa...Read More

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sjuwill · thank you brian for remembering these fine horses...amny of them also bring back good memories of wonderful racing..with approval also is one of my all time favorite turf horses, kip deville..and you are so correct, personal ensign was one of the best of all time...thanks to all these great horses for giving us the thrills of a lifetime · 868 days ago ·

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ctunstill · Odysseus, after a hard fought battle to live. · 868 days ago ·

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amy.spear2 · Thanks Brian for posting that list, way too many way too young. · 868 days ago ·

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amy.spear2 · Let's not forget: Solar Flare, Thatcatismine and Tiz Chrome · 868 days ago ·

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zatt · Excellent addition Constance ... how could I forget him! · 868 days ago ·

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zatt · Three more good ones who should not be forgotten, thanks Amy! · 868 days ago ·

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mhswinds · Don't forget Mr. Greeley. · 868 days ago ·

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cigarorrison · Dont forget Lost Soldier.....sire of Lost In The Fog, Soldiers Dancer and many others · 868 days ago ·

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mhswinds · Also Turkish Tryst, dam of Hard Spun. · 868 days ago ·

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zatt · More good ones, thank you all. · 868 days ago ·

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TiznowReynolds · Skip Away and Personal Ensign...not that they all aren't sad, but those two specifically hurt me personally. Two of my all time favorites. · 866 days ago ·

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zatt · With good reason, Tim ... two fabulous horses! · 866 days ago ·

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MarcelloMarocco · Dance Smartly was the one that bothered me the most. Beautiful mare, and Great racer, but she had to be euthanized after a paddock accident. Then there is Izvestia , another Canadian TC winner who was euthanized at 4 after a catastrophic injury during a race. Finally this year the passing of the best Sire since Northern dancer....Sadler's Wells. · 479 days ago ·

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Real Quiet

so close!

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Why Not Animal Kingdom?

Why couldn’t the horse that is the farthest from a lock, the one that nobody expects, be the one to rise to the occasion? Read More

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zatt · Why not indeed? I know I will be rooting for him! · 731 days ago ·

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JohnnyTroche Jr · he bore out last time indicating an exerted effort in which he has never run before. with 2 weeks off and 2nd time dirt its unlikely he will run well in the preakness in my opinion. · 731 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Bearing our can indicate inexperience also. Most horses running in the Derby exert an effort that they have never had to do before, and bearing out in the stretch is also not uncommon, especially for a horse who was in his fifth lifetime start. He got ahead and probably lost focus, which a lot of horses will do. · 731 days ago ·

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JohnHenry · Liking Dialed In this time around if the pace is quicker in the preakness and it should be. · 731 days ago ·

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DeadHeat · Bearing our can indicate inexperience also. Most horses running in the Derby exert an effort that they have never had to do before, and bearing out in the stretch is also not uncommon, especially for a horse who was in his fifth lifetime start. He got ahead and probably lost focus, which a lot of horses will do. · 731 days ago ·

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Mike in SB · I think he has a big shot at the Triple Crown. The Preakness winner usually comes out of the Derby and Mucho Macho Man looks like the only horse from the Derby that could beat him. The Belmont will be tough, but it seems to be a riders race and Animal Kingdom will have a great jockey for the Belmont This could be the year! · 730 days ago ·

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Real Quiet - Pedigree

[Edit]

Quiet American	Fappiano	Mr. Prospector
		Killaloe
	Demure	Dr. Fager
		Quiet Charm
Really Blue	Believe It	In Reality
		Breakfast Bell
	Meadow Blue	Raise A Native
		Gay Hostess