Do you hope AP wins the TC? (as a fan, not a gambler!)
May 29, 2015 22:47:50 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on May 29, 2015 22:47:50 GMT -5
I do. Not a WPS play. Many will be buying "souvenir tickets" so the odds will be really low. I agree with Johnny D!
Go Ahead, Ask Me
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Next Saturday American Pharoah will bid to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in history. Doing so would add his name to a list that includes my favorite racehorse Affirmed, who in 1978 was the last to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Since that exciting June afternoon 37 years ago, when, in the final grueling strides of the Belmont Stakes, Affirmed refused to surrender an ounce of advantage to Alydar, fellow racing fans have been drawn to the precipice of history 13 times. And on all 13 occasions, like Wile E. Coyote in relentless pursuit of Road Runner, kindred spirits have gone heart-first off a Triple Crown cliff of sorts, feet spinning uselessly in mid-air before free falling and ultimately landing in a distant puff of smoke.
Thankfully, I haven’t always taken the bait; at least not all 13 times. Following Smarty Jones’ defeat in 2004--one of the most crushing sporting experiences of my life--I swore off the Triple Crown like a jilted lover does relationships. Never again would that trio of races cause me heartbreak because never again would I become emotionally involved with it. Since then, between the Belmont and me, it’s been ‘strictly business.’ Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta, only. May the best (paying) horse win.
That arrangement has worked wonderfully well. Along with my horseplaying partner, I’ve made some fantastic scores on the Belmont Stakes, including cashing a $37,026 superfecta in 2011!
Perhaps, more importantly, I’ve ducked mounds of disappointment associated with failed Triple Crown bids by California Chrome and Big Brown. Also, because I remained emotionally detached from the Triple Crown, I didn’t feel a thing when I’ll Have Another became a pre-race defection in 2012. In fact, I was in my car on my way to Belmont Park for the weekend when the news broke. I calmly made a U turn and headed back home.
See if I care if American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown or not. Ask me if I give a rat’s patootie if the son of Pioneerof the Nile becomes a Thoroughbred legend or just another false messiah sent from Triple Crown hell to torture the faithful. Go ahead and ask me how I feel about American Pharoah’s chances of becoming racing royalty. Go ahead, ask me!
You’ll be surprised by the answer. I know I am.
For the first time since Smarty Jones, that Philadelphia ‘Flyer,’ the hometown boy who made good, the pride of Bensalem who once attracted over 10,000 people to watch him gallop at Philadelphia Park, I’m in love with a 3-year-old colt.
American Pharoah is one of the most spectacular moving horses I’ve ever seen. He’s everything a Thoroughbred ought to be: he’s good looking (except for that quirky tail which actually gives him character); he’s fast (ask anyone who’s tried to catch him); he’s determined (has won six in a row); he’s sensitive (requires cotton in his ears when he races); he’s thoughtful (nearly worried himself to defeat before the Kentucky Derby).
If he somehow doesn’t win the Belmont Stakes and the accompanying Triple Crown, I will be distraught…even if I cash a ticket. You see, even though I hope, pray and actually believe American Pharoah will win the Belmont, he’s going to be a very short price and…well, sometimes things happen. Some of my wagers will not key on American Pharoah and if one of those hits I won’t be shy about collecting my money. But there will be no joy in Mudville, either, for the mighty ‘Pharoah will have struck out.
It’s been nearly four decades since the same 3-year-old has won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the same year. Next Saturday the wait will be over. American Pharoah will not disappoint. He’s the fastest horse and sometimes the game really is that simple. He will control the pace, dominate his foes and win comfortably by seven lengths.
And if I’m wrong and he loses, what happens then?
Well, I think then I’ll give up on the idea of ever seeing another Triple Crown winner. I don’t have anywhere near 40 years left on my warranty, so it’s pretty much now or never. Plus, in over 40 years of intently watching horse races I haven’t seen a more perfect running machine. If this one fails, I don’t imagine I’ll see another come down the pike before it’s time to visit that great racetrack in the sky.
Next Saturday American Pharoah will bid to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in history. Doing so would add his name to a list that includes my favorite racehorse Affirmed, who in 1978 was the last to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. That afternoon I snuck away from my college graduation service to visit a nearby dorm room television. I was captivated by what I saw.
Perhaps my future was sealed that afternoon--one door closing, another opening. My entire career has been in Thoroughbred racing—front-side to back-side and back again, if that makes any sense. I’ve been around Hall of Fame trainers, jockeys and horses, and even been fortunate enough to call many of them friends.
But what I haven’t experienced since 1978 is the joy of seeing a 3-year-old reach out and grab the brassiest ring in sport. Some have come close, but, as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Here’s wishing, hoping and believing that American Pharoah hits the bull’s-eye!
Race On!
Go Ahead, Ask Me
Xpressbet
Next Saturday American Pharoah will bid to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in history. Doing so would add his name to a list that includes my favorite racehorse Affirmed, who in 1978 was the last to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Since that exciting June afternoon 37 years ago, when, in the final grueling strides of the Belmont Stakes, Affirmed refused to surrender an ounce of advantage to Alydar, fellow racing fans have been drawn to the precipice of history 13 times. And on all 13 occasions, like Wile E. Coyote in relentless pursuit of Road Runner, kindred spirits have gone heart-first off a Triple Crown cliff of sorts, feet spinning uselessly in mid-air before free falling and ultimately landing in a distant puff of smoke.
Thankfully, I haven’t always taken the bait; at least not all 13 times. Following Smarty Jones’ defeat in 2004--one of the most crushing sporting experiences of my life--I swore off the Triple Crown like a jilted lover does relationships. Never again would that trio of races cause me heartbreak because never again would I become emotionally involved with it. Since then, between the Belmont and me, it’s been ‘strictly business.’ Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta, only. May the best (paying) horse win.
That arrangement has worked wonderfully well. Along with my horseplaying partner, I’ve made some fantastic scores on the Belmont Stakes, including cashing a $37,026 superfecta in 2011!
Perhaps, more importantly, I’ve ducked mounds of disappointment associated with failed Triple Crown bids by California Chrome and Big Brown. Also, because I remained emotionally detached from the Triple Crown, I didn’t feel a thing when I’ll Have Another became a pre-race defection in 2012. In fact, I was in my car on my way to Belmont Park for the weekend when the news broke. I calmly made a U turn and headed back home.
See if I care if American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown or not. Ask me if I give a rat’s patootie if the son of Pioneerof the Nile becomes a Thoroughbred legend or just another false messiah sent from Triple Crown hell to torture the faithful. Go ahead and ask me how I feel about American Pharoah’s chances of becoming racing royalty. Go ahead, ask me!
You’ll be surprised by the answer. I know I am.
For the first time since Smarty Jones, that Philadelphia ‘Flyer,’ the hometown boy who made good, the pride of Bensalem who once attracted over 10,000 people to watch him gallop at Philadelphia Park, I’m in love with a 3-year-old colt.
American Pharoah is one of the most spectacular moving horses I’ve ever seen. He’s everything a Thoroughbred ought to be: he’s good looking (except for that quirky tail which actually gives him character); he’s fast (ask anyone who’s tried to catch him); he’s determined (has won six in a row); he’s sensitive (requires cotton in his ears when he races); he’s thoughtful (nearly worried himself to defeat before the Kentucky Derby).
If he somehow doesn’t win the Belmont Stakes and the accompanying Triple Crown, I will be distraught…even if I cash a ticket. You see, even though I hope, pray and actually believe American Pharoah will win the Belmont, he’s going to be a very short price and…well, sometimes things happen. Some of my wagers will not key on American Pharoah and if one of those hits I won’t be shy about collecting my money. But there will be no joy in Mudville, either, for the mighty ‘Pharoah will have struck out.
It’s been nearly four decades since the same 3-year-old has won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the same year. Next Saturday the wait will be over. American Pharoah will not disappoint. He’s the fastest horse and sometimes the game really is that simple. He will control the pace, dominate his foes and win comfortably by seven lengths.
And if I’m wrong and he loses, what happens then?
Well, I think then I’ll give up on the idea of ever seeing another Triple Crown winner. I don’t have anywhere near 40 years left on my warranty, so it’s pretty much now or never. Plus, in over 40 years of intently watching horse races I haven’t seen a more perfect running machine. If this one fails, I don’t imagine I’ll see another come down the pike before it’s time to visit that great racetrack in the sky.
Next Saturday American Pharoah will bid to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in history. Doing so would add his name to a list that includes my favorite racehorse Affirmed, who in 1978 was the last to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. That afternoon I snuck away from my college graduation service to visit a nearby dorm room television. I was captivated by what I saw.
Perhaps my future was sealed that afternoon--one door closing, another opening. My entire career has been in Thoroughbred racing—front-side to back-side and back again, if that makes any sense. I’ve been around Hall of Fame trainers, jockeys and horses, and even been fortunate enough to call many of them friends.
But what I haven’t experienced since 1978 is the joy of seeing a 3-year-old reach out and grab the brassiest ring in sport. Some have come close, but, as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Here’s wishing, hoping and believing that American Pharoah hits the bull’s-eye!
Race On!
