Why do bad things happen to good people? - I don't know how Gretchen and Roy Jackson are going to deal with the death of George Washington. Once in a lifetime is bad enough, but TWICE?. It's such a horrible ending considering that he should be at a peaceful stud farm preparing for his second season.
Bloggers are gaining more credibility with every big event - Alan Mann and Jessica Chapel did excellent jobs of live blogging for the Breeders Cup Site and the DRF, respectively. Their timely and useful posts made you feel like you were at the track. Great job!, and thanks!
That sound you hear is the rush of cash towards Lanes End Farm. - Sons of Smart Strike, English Channel and Curlin replayed their same-day G1 winning performance of September 30, 2007. Lanes End has already announced a $150,000 stud fee for the honor of Smart Strike's services in 2008. I'd imagine they will have no problem filling the book after the last month of outrageous success. I believe Smart Strike stood for $75,000 this year and just $20,000 in 2003 when Curlin was conceived.
New York, New York (sung to the Sinatra tune). - A preponderance of today's winners competed on the New York circuit this year. At this time when the future of the franchise is in question, it is meaningful to see the importance of New York racing on the national and international scene. They are Curlin, English Channel, Ginger Punch, Midnight Lute, War Pass, Indian Blessing, Corinthian, Lahudood and Maryfield. 9 of 11. I think that's more than a coincidence.
Less expensive sires can throw BC winners too. - Kip Deville's sire, Kipling, stands for $2,500 in Oklahoma. Midnight Lute's sire, Real Quiet, stands for $5,000 in Pennsylvania. Nownownow's sire, Whywhywhy, stands for $7,500 at Gainesway in Kentucky.
Right Ideas, wrong horses. - My BC handicapping was based on two premises. 1) Stand against horses that compete mostly on synthetic tracks, and 2) Stand against the Europeans. The concepts proved perfect. No winner had run this year on synthetics except for Midnight Lute's 4th at Keeneland in April. And none of the European invaders won either. Lahudood spent all of 2007 competing in the U.S., so he does not qualify as an invader. Unfortunately, I generally picked the wrong non-synthetic, non-European runners and had only 2 winners.
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That's a good summary/overview of the big day! I agree that the New York stage was definitely the stepping stone to success in New Jersey.
This really was an American championship.
What a horrible day for Aidan O'Brien--the magnificent Dylan Thomas doesn't threaten and then GW is lost forever.
Thanks for putting it all in perspective.
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