Qualifying qualifiers at the Big MApril 24th 2008 |
2 comments |
Plenty of super horses qualified this morning at the Meadowlands-- there were 14 races in all by my count, some of them containing full fields. Whenever I read online about qualifying results I almost always read about the horses that do well. I never really read about the horses who qualify poorly, who clearly have to start from scratch before heading out again to race. I know. I know. Racing is all about coverage of the winners-- why should qualifiers be any different?
I think, however, that there are good stories to be shared, good lessons to be learned, from focusing upon what went wrong in a qualifying session. For example, is Professor Jeff okay? George Brennan evidently had to pull him up in Race 12 this morning. And Val Taurus, last year's temporary threat to Donato Hanover, broke in his race. Is he okay or is it a sign of things to come? Mythical Lindy is a nice trotter. Is Trond Smedshammer pleased that he finished ninth in 2:00.1?
You get my point. As an owner it's really exciting to get the horse to the stage where he or she is going to qualify-- we should be there ourselves next week-- but how disappointing it is when the qualifier is disappointing, for one reason or another. There are plenty of satisfied horsemen and horsewomen right now whose horses did what was expected of them this morning. But there are plenty who are upset and frustrated, too. This post is for them
And for you? A question. Share with us some of your favorite qualifer stories. I am quite confident there are more than a few. Here is the link to the Big M's results.
Comments
John Buonomo said...
I was at qualifiers this morning as we had our 3yr old trotter go in the 3rd..Of course we were in the 3yo trot that went in 55.4 (great last quarter by In Focus!!) While we went nice and smooth, we were looking to go a bit quicker than 59.1, but a nice confidence builder for him...Great to see some of the stars of our sport on the morning stage!!
posted at 9:15 PM on Apr 24th 2008
Bob Marks said...
Andy
Sports Eye used to have a chart caller posted at Meadowlands and Yonkers qualifiers and still may...
The comments were then included as part of their customary race chart commentaries in a very professional manner...
posted at 2:13 PM on Apr 24th 2008