Millions of Americans watch the Kentucky Derby because it's the biggest horse racing event of the year. Then millions of Americans watch the Preakness to see if the Derby winner can win again. If the Derby winner wins the Preakness, millions of Americans watch the Belmont to see if horse racing will have a Triple Crown winner. If different horses win the Derby and Preakness, the Belmont loses most of its luster. But it can still be a somewhat exciting race when it features the Preakness winner going head to head with the Derby winner.
That won't happen this year. Derby winner Street Sense will not run at the Belmont, as his owners want to get him ready for the Travers Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic later this year. A rematch with Preakness winner Curlin would have been an exciting race, but this announcement means that for the vast majority of Americans, horse racing is done until next year's Kentucky Derby.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Horse racing truly is the sport of kings, in that it has drastically fallen behind the times, is an anachronistic sign of days gone by, but still is thrust upon a pedestal at random intervals and we're all supposed to pretend that we really do care about it.
Posted at 1:16PM on May 31st 2007 by Pete
2. Pharmceutical kings. Doped ponies, illegal gambling, animal cruelty and TV scripted myths.
One would hope that the Barbaro Pharma breakdown would open up consumer eyes. But, those eyes were blind.
The phrama fraud goes on. Just like in NFL & MLB!
Posted at 3:07PM on May 31st 2007 by George Mitchell
3. I'll still watch it, and I imagine a lot of others still will. After all, you can still bet on the race.
Posted at 3:32PM on May 31st 2007 by Atlantic City
4. It is a bit saddening that Street Sense will not be running. Would like to see that rematch, but I do understand what the owners and trainers want to do. I will still watch the race, because heck maybe Curlin will win two in a role. That to me is a goal in itself.
Posted at 4:43PM on Jun 2nd 2007 by blampin4036
5. Curlin is a better horse than Street Sense. His owners used good "Street Sense" to back out of the Belmont, avoid another loss and not lower the stud value of their horse.
Posted at 2:18PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by norm logsdon
6. Curlin is a better horse than Street Sense. His owners used good "Street Sense" to back out of the Belmont, avoid another loss and not lower the stud value of their horse.
Posted at 2:22PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by norm logsdon
7. Poor sportmanship by the Street Sense team. The horse was, by all indications, still at the top of his game. He should have been given a shot at redemption in the Belmont. Who knows if they'll ever meet again. Three months is a lifetime in horse racing. And now that Street Sense has been sold to Darley, chances are slim that he'll even finish out the year. THIS is what's truly wrong with this sport right now.
And George, get a grip, the racing industry has better drug regulations than both the NFL and MLB. Don't mention Barbaro in that context.
Posted at 11:01PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by Neil Napolitano
8. sinny..oh puh-leeeeze..this is rags' day and you know it
Posted at 2:45PM on Jun 9th 2007 by steve
9. Curlin is tired. This is Hardspun's race..with RagstoRiches 2nd.
Posted at 2:46PM on Jun 9th 2007 by Sinfulsoul
10. steve, steve, steve....you are delusional.
Posted at 2:48PM on Jun 9th 2007 by Sinfulsoul
11. To Comment 5
Curlin got lucky at Preakness. Street Sense is a way better then Curlin and you know it. It would have been cool to see Street Sense beat Curlin butt owell Street Sense is saving his stuff for the Breeders Cup.
Posted at 4:53PM on Jun 9th 2007 by HorseLover
12. You cant say that no one is interested in the Belmont. If the true horse lovers were watching they would have seen a fantastic race in which a filly won. That hasnt happened in over 100 years dont you think that is not worth something. Rags to Riches is a true champion and overcame the intimidation of the race full of boys. And speaking of Barbaro no one should ever speak bad of that true champion, he fought till the last.
Posted at 9:02PM on Jun 9th 2007 by linda
13. Guys, looks like you had it wrong and my wife and female children had it right from the start lol!!!!!!
It was a GIRL'S DAY AT THE RACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We knew it would take a woman to do this.
Bravo Rags to Riches; you made your grand-sire Seattle Slew very proud, I am sure.
Posted at 11:17PM on Jun 9th 2007 by Dylan
14. what the sport needs is a horse like funny cide to come along a true people's horse!
Posted at 8:26AM on Jun 10th 2007 by kenny