Post by Sunny Acres Ranch on Jun 5, 2009 8:21:01 GMT -8
Tomorrow is the Belmont Stakes. I must say I haven't been this excited about the Triple Crown races since I watched Secretariat win it as a kid. I had posters of Secretariat on the walls in my room, and had my very own "stats" book on him. 
I recorded the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and I'm a huge fan of Mine That Bird. I know...dumb name, but WHAT a horse!! His Kentucky Derby run was nothing short of astounding! I really loved the part about him being the $9,500 horse (the cheapest horse in the Derby), and his trainer driving him from New Mexico to Louisville in his own personal horse trailer. I guess it is because it gives the "little guys" hope that a champion may be standing out in their pasture too. I'm a complete sucker for an underdog success story. ;D
On the Preakness, all the focus was on Rachel Alexandra, and I'll admit she did a great job. However, why didn't most of the announcers notice that the big surprise of the race was Mine That Bird running from last place (again) to close in on Rachel and ended up finishing with his head at her hip. He was obviously running faster than she was, or he would never have caught her. So much for his critics saying he was a "one-hit-wonder" in the Derby! I really believe he would have beaten Rachel if he had more track, but his jockey had to check him and go around several horses wide coming out of the final turn because he was blocked in. And he STILL caught her!
Well, now comes the Belmont. ;D I am going to be recording the race again, and I'm so anxious to see if this little horse can pull off another big win. It is kind of disappointing that the owners of Rachel Alexandra have decided not to run her in the Belmont. I think the owners are playing it safe since they don't want to mar her undefeated record. However, it is a bit disappointing that she spoiled a possible Triple Crown winner after 30 years of waiting, and then deny the public the re-match.
After the Derby, someone compared Mine That Bird to Seabiscuit - the little horse that could. Mine That Bird is not even 16hh from what I have heard. Rachel is 17hh. Mine That Bird is just an incredible athlete! He is so exciting to watch when he comes around that final turn. Go Bird Go!!
I recorded the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and I'm a huge fan of Mine That Bird. I know...dumb name, but WHAT a horse!! His Kentucky Derby run was nothing short of astounding! I really loved the part about him being the $9,500 horse (the cheapest horse in the Derby), and his trainer driving him from New Mexico to Louisville in his own personal horse trailer. I guess it is because it gives the "little guys" hope that a champion may be standing out in their pasture too. I'm a complete sucker for an underdog success story. ;D
On the Preakness, all the focus was on Rachel Alexandra, and I'll admit she did a great job. However, why didn't most of the announcers notice that the big surprise of the race was Mine That Bird running from last place (again) to close in on Rachel and ended up finishing with his head at her hip. He was obviously running faster than she was, or he would never have caught her. So much for his critics saying he was a "one-hit-wonder" in the Derby! I really believe he would have beaten Rachel if he had more track, but his jockey had to check him and go around several horses wide coming out of the final turn because he was blocked in. And he STILL caught her!
Well, now comes the Belmont. ;D I am going to be recording the race again, and I'm so anxious to see if this little horse can pull off another big win. It is kind of disappointing that the owners of Rachel Alexandra have decided not to run her in the Belmont. I think the owners are playing it safe since they don't want to mar her undefeated record. However, it is a bit disappointing that she spoiled a possible Triple Crown winner after 30 years of waiting, and then deny the public the re-match.
After the Derby, someone compared Mine That Bird to Seabiscuit - the little horse that could. Mine That Bird is not even 16hh from what I have heard. Rachel is 17hh. Mine That Bird is just an incredible athlete! He is so exciting to watch when he comes around that final turn. Go Bird Go!!
The announcer made the observation that Mine That Bird is the only horse in the top four horses in the Belmont that ran all three of the Triple Crown races. 1st, 2nd, and 4th place all sat out the Preakness and rested. So, my opinion still stands. Mine That Bird is incredible! ;D