What is it about this track that results in upsets so often? Disappointed that AP lost, but he still is a great champion.
I think it might just be timing of the races. It’s perfect for horses who weren’t quite ready or nature enough for the spring classics, and horses who do well in the spring/early summer are likely to be a bit worn out.
[QUOTE=caffeinated;8294334]
I think it might just be timing of the races. It’s perfect for horses who weren’t quite ready or nature enough for the spring classics, and horses who do well in the spring/early summer are likely to be a bit worn out.[/QUOTE]
I’m sure that’s it.
I think it was a stupid decision to run AP in the race. No one cares who comes in anything other than 1st.
Well, it’s not. It’s the Graveyard of Favorites. Slight difference! Edited to add: apparently both are used! There was even a book called the Graveyard of Champions.
There have just been a lot of famous upsets at the track. I don’t know how statistically factual the nickname is, but reputations don’t always make sense.
Here’s a video on YouTube that goes into some of the history: http://youtu.be/9qQdcxQ6awA
and even though I’m disappointed that Pharoah lost, I find this Facebook page pretty hysterical: https://www.facebook.com/WelcometotheGraveyardOfFavorites
One of the announcers today, when calling Saratoga the graveyard of favorites/champions, said that Man o’ War was beaten here.
What he didn’t bother to add was that Man o’ War was not defeated in the Travers, which the announcer had been referring to.
Man o’ War lost the Sanford Memorial, as a 2-year-old, due to a bad start, the fault of the starter.
I wish the guy had gone on to say that Man o’ War won the Grand Union Hotel Stakes, the United States Hotel Stakes, and the Hopeful, all at Saratoga, that same season. He also came back at 3 years old to win the Travers.
So much for including Man o’ War in that bit about Saratoga being a graveyard!
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8294373]
I’m sure that’s it.
I think it was a stupid decision to run AP in the race. No one cares who comes in anything other than 1st.[/QUOTE]
Speaking as someone with shares in horses, yes we do. I wouldn’t sneeze at the place money and it was a great race. He was tired enough he didn’t see Keen Ice coming (horse deserved better than 16-1, I said he wasn’t getting respect when the morning line came out-he’s the only one the last few races who’s been coming AT AP, rather than falling away) and he still put Frosted away. Plus the “What if Texas Red…” question seems to be answered–he never got anywhere near the lead.
That’s horse racing. Great race! That is why people who lose 85% of the time get up every morning. I wish he’d won, but that is why you go to the post with a XX-1 shot and hope in your heart.
[QUOTE=danceronice;8294425]
Speaking as someone with shares in horses, yes we do. I wouldn’t sneeze at the place money and it was a great race. He was tired enough he didn’t see Keen Ice coming (horse deserved better than 16-1, I said he wasn’t getting respect when the morning line came out-he’s the only one the last few races who’s been coming AT AP, rather than falling away) and he still put Frosted away. Plus the “What if Texas Red…” question seems to be answered–he never got anywhere near the lead.[/QUOTE]
For a small number of folks (speaking in relative terms) that may be true, but the the majority of folks who follow racing, go to the tracks, etc. they aren’t going to remember anything but the winner.
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8294656]
For a small number of folks (speaking in relative terms) that may be true, but the the majority of folks who follow racing, go to the tracks, etc. they aren’t going to remember anything but the winner.[/QUOTE]
There’s a lot of 2nd place winners that are famous for coming in 2nd that people still talk about. There’s always a horse out there that is better than yours. Plus it’s not like AP is undefeated, he has lost other races.
[QUOTE=spotted draft x filly;8294660]
There’s a lot of 2nd place winners that are famous for coming in 2nd that people still talk about. There’s always a horse out there that is better than yours. Plus it’s not like AP is undefeated, he has lost other races.[/QUOTE]
Perhaps the most famous of those would be Alydar.
[QUOTE=ridingagain;8294289]
What is it about this track that results in upsets so often? Disappointed that AP lost, but he still is a great champion.[/QUOTE]
Recommend Bill Heller’s GRAVEYARD OF CHAMPIONS. It’s an informative and enjoyable read.
[QUOTE=SportArab;8294678]
Perhaps the most famous of those would be Alydar.[/QUOTE]
Sham, too.
[QUOTE=ridingagain;8294289]
What is it about this track that results in upsets so often? Disappointed that AP lost, but he still is a great champion.[/QUOTE]
It’s date on the calendar, and a lot of traveling for AP in 2015.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8294843]
It’s date on the calendar, and a lot of traveling for AP in 2015.[/QUOTE]
What about the winner of the Sword Dancer G1 Flintshire?
He shipped in from Europe. Since November 2014 he has run in California, Hong Kong, Dubai and now New York. Numerous trips back and forth from France and England.
IMO because it is Saratoga, a high profile racetrack where the best of the best run year in and year out. Relatively short meet that gets a lot of “press” with lots of history.
The term “headline”, “The Graveyard of Champions” was coined a long time ago and makes for good “eye catching” press
[QUOTE=gumtree;8294917]
What about the winner of the Sword Dancer G1 Flintshire?
He shipped in from Europe. Since November 2014 he has run in California, Hong Kong, Dubai and now New York. Numerous trips back and forth from France and England.[/QUOTE]
Not the darling of the American mass media. He doesn’t count…
Looks like FLINTSHIRE’S travel has been well managed and predominantly between the UK & FR. AP appears to have been rushed in 2015. FLINTSHIRE is 5 also. Lacking recent update this link gives him 62 days to the Travers.
http://www.the-racehorse.com/stats/horse/flintshire/102611/?xl=Sx&p=1
First I’ve got to say I’m happy as He** that it is raining! (I’m in the PNW)
I rarely bet on races and I only follow a handful of horses, but I care who comes in 2nd, 3rd, etc. I even want to know who came in last. In these big races, Grade 1’s, the top four horses are generally all superlative. So yeah, I care about more than the winner. And I’ve been watching Keen Ice for a while now. He is really coming into himself.
The Travers has never caught me. It isn’t a race I pay attention to unless there’s a horse I like running in it. And nine times out of ten there isn’t one.
[QUOTE=spotted draft x filly;8294660]
There’s a lot of 2nd place winners that are famous for coming in 2nd that people still talk about. There’s always a horse out there that is better than yours. Plus it’s not like AP is undefeated, he has lost other races.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, it’s not like they forgot that Secreta-i-whoosis horse after he won the TC then lost to a horse named Onion. Heck, AP’s win percentage is STILL better than Secretariat’s. Seattle Slew came into the TC undefeated (AP lost his first start) and lost I think his very next out. Good horses get beat. In this case he had a shorter break between races than he had between the Belmont and Haskell, he shipped in very late before the race, he’s had a long season. Second is nothing to sneeze at.
