Now now, it IS a big deal in the racing world, the triple crown. There've only been 11. Total. In 125 years. Now there was a run of winners, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed, in 1974, 1977, and 1978. But none since then.
Yes, I know that, actually. :-) I've watched all three races on television (or listened to them on the radio, in the event of being out of reach of television) every spring since I can remember. I have no personal memory of a Triple Crown winner, because I was a toddler when Affirmed beat Alydar. I hope for a Triple Crown win, just like everyone else, but am not deluded about its probability. Eleven horses -- now twelve? am I miscounting? -- have won the Derby and the Preakness only to succumb to the Belmont in the past three decades, so these two-thirds runs are not unusual. (In fact, some people suppose we'll never see another Triple Crown, because of breeding trends that sacrifice endurance for speed.)
This is why I believe that yet another failed Triple Crown attempt should not obliterate analysis of the win of a colt who lead through the entire Belmont and was the longest shot on the board when the gate opened. That's an achievement! I believe it's worth a moment in the sun of sports reporting; I would have liked to have
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No, I agree. (altho you make me feel ancient, because I not only clearly remember Affirmed, I remember when Secretariat became the first triple crown winner in forever.)
I think "TPTB" are too stunned to even believe Ta'Dara won. They think they're watching so closely, and know everyone's potential, blah, etc. I know they must feel like what the media would feel like if out of the blue the Libertarian candidate became President. They are convinced it was a fluke, some sort of cosmic joke and that they'll wake up tomorrow to the real race.
Actually, I think it's the best example lately of "that's why they call it a horse race."
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This is why I believe that yet another failed Triple Crown attempt should not obliterate analysis of the win of a colt who lead through the entire Belmont and was the longest shot on the board when the gate opened. That's an achievement! I believe it's worth a moment in the sun of sports reporting; I would have liked to have ( ... )
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I think "TPTB" are too stunned to even believe Ta'Dara won. They think they're watching so closely, and know everyone's potential, blah, etc. I know they must feel like what the media would feel like if out of the blue the Libertarian candidate became President. They are convinced it was a fluke, some sort of cosmic joke and that they'll wake up tomorrow to the real race.
Actually, I think it's the best example lately of "that's why they call it a horse race."
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