Now, getting on with something more recent (and right up the picker's alley), let's talk Belmont. I agree with you (is it, Mr. P now?) that Curlin is the horse to beat. I also agree with one of your fellow ESPN bloggers that the addition of the filly in this race makes the interest level jump by 200%, at least for the casual race fan. Personally, I'll root for her to win it with my heart...but I won't touch her with my $$$. She'll be a huge underlay because of the emotional backers, going off at around 2 or 3-1 at post time...but is more deserving of 10-12-1 against Curlin, Hard Spun, and the rest of the boys at 1 1/2 miles.
Mr. P...you see the Barbaro documentary on HBO? Nice story that warms the heart. He looked like a great horse with a nig chance to break the TC drought. Bernardini ran a big race that day...my how nice it would have been to see if Barbaro would have beaten him.
Serious question now. I've been a horse fan since childhood (late 80's). Do you guys think that the Triple Crown needs to go back to the bonus it once had (I think Visa sponsored it)? Not just the $5 mill for winning the crown...but a big chunk of $$$ for acquiring the most points in all three races? I'm looking for a way to offset the huge $$$ that influences owners to sell the breeding rights of horses the public tries to follow, thus cutting their racing careers short (or altering them). Racing needs another John Henry (The Tin Man isn't quite there yet). In short, this is why I am rooting for the filly Saturday. What a story it would be. Racing needs something more than the slot machines to bring it back all the way. The public needs a horse to grab onto...like boxing needs an American heavyweight for the same reason.
Thoughts?...
Jeremy: Welcome back. You're exactly right, the track skims once, takes one cut, so the multiple bet wagers are the best in that regard -- doubles, pick 3, 4, etc. Several races, one cut.
I personally have two mental blocks that apply here: one, betting a horse off a big race in the rain. Who's to say the horse is really any good. Two, fillies aren't usually as good as some of the brutes. What the filly does have in its favor is the fatigue factor on the others. I've gotten tired watching. Imagine how tired the horses are. Races where favorites figure aren't that appealing to me. To win some money in a seven-horse race where the first three appear strong, you're going to have to get a goofy one first, second or third.
Herb: Can't believe I missed you. I was there! I bet on Ice Breaker, who was fifth until that pack of wolves ate him. We sat just to the left of the avalanche. Maybe next year we can have mooseburgers and tailgate.
