Triple Crown 2020

[Texarkana]

@skydy That was not me, maybe it was Pronzini. :lol:

But there wasn’t a lot to love about his appearance or temperament in his younger days, from my perspective at the time.

I was also a green as grass college student who was awfully confident in her opinions founded in the Arabian and H/J worlds. Clearly they were directly applicable to race horses. I don’t know why someone didn’t slug me to get me to shut up. I certainly would have deserved it.

I also don’t know why I was so lucky to have spent my early 20s around some of the greatest race horses of the time. I was in the right place at the right time for quite a few years. I thought that was “normal.” Now I look back (from my couch) in disbelief.

[skydy]

You’re not alone. We were all young once, and so very confident in our opinions. :lol:

[Kyrabee]

What about the filly Swiss Skydiver in the KD? Yesterday in the Alabama Stakes (1 1/4 miles) she destroyed the field loping home in front by by 3 1/2 lengths. She was 6+ at the head of the stretch but she literally loped home. She has lost to the boys once…she was second. Pretty impressive filly and 1 1/4 miles was no problem.

Susan

[clint]

@Kyrabee

What about the filly Swiss Skydiver in the KD? Yesterday in the Alabama Stakes (1 1/4 miles) she destroyed the field loping home in front by by 3 1/2 lengths. She was 6+ at the head of the stretch but she literally loped home. She has lost to the boys once…she was second. Pretty impressive filly and 1 1/4 miles was no problem.

Susan

According to the Paulick Report, she will be headed to the Oaks rather than face Tiz the Law in the KD, even though she has enough points.

[Where_sMyWhite]

@clint

According to the Paulick Report, she will be headed to the Oaks rather than face Tiz the Law in the KD, even though she has enough points.

I’m no trainer nor owner but I would agree… maybe at some point nice, nice fillies like Swiss Skydiver and Gamine could run against the boys but against the likes of Tiz the Law or Honor AP, I’d be thinking stick to the fillies.

Yes, I’d heard the same thing that Swiss Skydiver was Oaks bound and I believe Gamine is also.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Derby Dozen Solidified Byron King’s Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby from BH.com

Who is your pick?

I’m still picking Honor A.P. although I think Tiz the Law will be a tough one to beat. May come down to post position. Sounds like Magic Mike will be on Honor A.P.

[LaurieB]

There will be no spectators at this year’s Kentucky Derby. Also none on Oaks day or any of the racing days at CD that week.

This was really the only decision they could make.

[JohannaStk]

It isn’t surprising and honestly the right decision. Having thousands of people in the stands isn’t good and may cause another outbreak of the virus. It would be really bad for racing if that happened.

[Texarkana]

@LaurieB

There will be no spectators at this year’s Kentucky Derby. Also none on Oaks day or any of the racing days at CD that week.

This was really the only decision they could make.

I’m glad they finally did the right thing. I couldn’t believe they were still trying to accommodate them at the beginning of this month. I know it’s a heck of a hit, but there was no way.

[Maythehorsebewithme]

@Texarkana

I’m glad they finally did the right thing. I couldn’t believe they were still trying to accommodate them at the beginning of this month. I know it’s a heck of a hit, but there was no way.

True that.

I get that CD delayed the Derby in the hopes that the pandemic would be over or under control by September. But too bad the CD and Pimlico people did not just stick to the original Triple Crown schedule. (NYRA then would have too, and we would have had a real Belmont–mile and one-half.)

Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

[LaurieB]

@Maythehorsebewithme

True that.

I get that CD delayed the Derby in the hopes that the pandemic would be over or under control by September. But too bad the CD and Pimlico people did not just stick to the original Triple Crown schedule. (NYRA then would have too, and we would have had a real Belmont–mile and one-half.)

Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

or 2020.

<sigh>

[Sparrowette]

I know that they have to do it, but the whole situation is incredibly surreal.

On Roku there’s a channel for racing at Saratoga. The TV crew shows as many people as they can (track and barn staff), and of course, the horses, but without the crowds and with interview microphones being at the end of a six-foot stick, it just seems wierd.

[Larksmom]

@Sparrowette

I know that they have to do it, but the whole situation is incredibly surreal.

On Roku there’s a channel for racing at Saratoga. The TV crew shows as many people as they can (track and barn staff), and of course, the horses, but without the crowds and with interview microphones being at the end of a six-foot stick, it just seems wierd.

They also have it on Fox sport 1 and 2. they have Laffite, The Mig, Tom Amoss Gary Stevens. They don’t seem to have anything else. I am guessing BC is still on NBC? I am surprised NBC isn’t getting these tho.

[Laurierace]

Just waiting for them to announce there will be no fans allowed at Preakness either. I may have to get a job for the day if there is a triple crown on the line in the Preakness for the first time in history. I always said the only thing I would ever miss the Preakness for is my own funeral. Hoping those words don’t come to fruition.

[Where_sMyWhite]

@Larksmom

They also have it on Fox sport 1 and 2. they have Laffite, The Mig, Tom Amoss Gary Stevens. They don’t seem to have anything else. I am guessing BC is still on NBC? I am surprised NBC isn’t getting these tho.

Saratoga, Belmont are NYRA and NYRA has, as best as I can tell, the TV agreement for the NY tracks (oh, and Aqueduct).

FoxSports during the majority of the significant lockdown was broadcasting TVG coverage to fill air time as TVG gets so many track feeds. TVG does get track feeds even from NYRA but usually can only broadcast them on TVG.COM

My best guess for this year, since BC is at Keeneland, that TVG will cover just about every BC race live with the exception of the Classic (and maybe a few of the other top races). NBCsports might cover the entire two day card (I don’t remember what they did last year). NBCSports may put some of the undercard on NBCSN with the big races on NBC (depending on what other sports are going on).

If that is the case, I’ll watch TVG as they are broadcasting other tracks besides BC and flip to NBC* about 5-7 minutes before post on the races TVG won’t be allowed to broadcast live (they can usually broadcast/reply on delay).

[Where_sMyWhite]

For me, a bit of a sobering story this morning from PR - This Year’s Derby Features A New 20-Stall Starting Gate, But Is It A Safe One For Assistant Starters?

One of the ‘unseen’ stories that I suspect many who watch the Derby on TV won’t have a full appreciation for with 20 horses in one starting gate, not one + auxiliary gate.

Caracaro out of the Derby. Friday morning after completing final workout for the Derby he took the proverbial ‘funny step’. Diagnostics will be done this morning to determine extent of the injury. Didn’t sound catastrophic - whew!

[Maythehorsebewithme]

Learned a new meaning for the word “pontoon”–it is the ledge the assistant starter stands on. Six inches in the U.S., three and one-half in the new gate. And apparently overseas the assistant starters do not stay in the gate with the horse until the break. Yes, sobering.

[NaturallyHappy]

@Maythehorsebewithme

Learned a new meaning for the word “pontoon”–it is the ledge the assistant starter stands on. Six inches in the U.S., three and one-half in the new gate. And apparently overseas the assistant starters do not stay in the gate with the horse until the break. Yes, sobering.

I can’t imagine 3 1/2 inches to balance on-I hope the surface is rough. What if it’s wet???

[LaurieB]

Shirl’s Speight is out of the Derby with a cough.

[Where_sMyWhite]

As is Dr Post.