Good for the Game

I keep reading that Carl Nafzger should run Street Sense in the Belmont Stakes for the good of the game. Guess what? He doesn't care. Nor should he. It's a novel idea, a trainer considering the good of the game when trying to decide what to do with his horse. It's a good thought. Naive and ludicrous, too.

Of course, we'd like to see Street Sense square off with Curlin again. With Street Sense, it's the grudge match between Derby and Preakness winners. No chance at a Triple Crown but at least a tie breaker. Without Street Sense, it's a mail-in vote for Curlin, he'll win by the length of the stretch (where's Yum Brands when you need them, offering up a margin bigger than Jazil's from last year) and we'll all kick the ground, curse the game and wonder what happened to the iron horses of yesteryear.

But that's not Nafzger's fault.

Just add the game's best interest to a trainer's list of concerns; owner's best interest, horse's best interest and now, the game's best interest. It's easier for an owner to make decisions for the good or the bad of the game. Bad, see, Secretariat retiring at age 3, Bernardini retiring at age 3 . . . Good, see Ouija Board running through her 5-year-old season, even Sun King coming back for more this year. With a trainer's blessing, an owner can build up the game . . . but the trainer, that's tough. If the trainer starts considering the game's best interest as a reason to run a horse in a particular race, we're in a world of trouble.

If I were Nafzger, would I run back in three weeks? My third hard race in five weeks for a (relatively) paltry $1 million or would I ease off and point for the Travers and hope for a fresh horse by Breeders' Cup time? Guess, I'd listen to my horse and make a decision.

Sorry, fans, but I'm listening to Street Sense. 

Comments

[Nancy Evand May 30, 2007 1:34:41 AM]

Oh the old "do it for the good of the sport" guilt tactic. What would be good for all horse racing is if promotion to the general public went beyond just three races a year. How many folks have heard of The Tin Man? Or McDynamo? Just quick examples but these are horses that are fantastic, durable athletes that we have been able to enjoy for years, not just a few months. If the public wants to see a triple crown winner, just look at Glidemaster. The stories, excitement, and drama are out there just waiting for someone to shove it under the public's nose.

[Pat Cummings May 30, 2007 8:35:16 PM]

Thanks for writing this Sean. I've hawked the same opinion amongst friends and been yelled back to oblivion, told that I am not supporting what would be best for the game.

With the opportunity for a Triple Crown gone, a Belmont Stakes can be mildly exciting and would draw publicity, but no one should dare put the weight of the game on the shoulders of Nafzger for shunning "the good of the game" for the good of his horse.

I'm sickened by the drive-by racing media that thinks he should follow the public's heart instead of his much-respected head.

[Sandy May 31, 2007 10:04:20 AM]

I agree with you about listening to the horse. I guess implicit in my thinking was an assumption that Carl Nafzger would do that - if Street Sense is on the muscle and ready to run again, then do it. If he needs time off to get ready for a fall campaign, then do it. The last thing we need (or Street Sense needs) at Belmont is another Majestic Prince or Canonero II, horses run against the instinct of their trainers. Street Sense has told Nafzger what he's ready to do so far, and they've been in perfect sync.

What I found unsettling after the Preakness was the comment Nafzger made when asked whether he'd run at Belmont and he said something like "what's the point?" Not - let the horse tell us. Not - no, he needs a break. Not - the racing surface doesn't suit him. But "what's the point?". Perhaps it was a comment born of the frustration of having been so close to the verge of a Triple Crown (and it's probably safe to say that most of us will never know how crushing that feeling is for a trainer or owner), but it seemed sort of sad that a great race like the Belmont, with a potentially wonderful rematch of fit and ready horses, was being dismissed summarily.

I look forward to Nafzger's announcement this morning, and whatever his decision is, I know it will be the best for Street Sense, and taken in the long view it will be the best for us too.

[J. Carson Black May 31, 2007 10:57:58 AM]

The announcement's coming up. I hope they listen to the horse as they have always done, and that he either takes them to the Belmont or to the Haskell down the line.

I do remember Baffert talking him into running a horse at the last minute (Preakness? Derby? Belmont?) and it didn't turn out well.

Listen to your horse!

[J. Carson Black May 31, 2007 3:43:08 PM]

Trainers (and owners) lay out their plans and look for a strategic way to get to their goals. Look at Barbaro (planned for a Triple Crown), Bernardini, Invasor, Awesome Again, etc.

Since I have it on authority that Street Sense breezed beautifully, I don't think he's tired. It's just that Nafzger and Tafel want him to be in great shape for the Travers and then the BCC.

These days, in particular, the stress of three long, tough races in seven weeks (and the preps beforehand) could leave you open to physical problems. Or foul up the whole strategy of getting a horse to peak at the right time. So I guess it comes down to what your goal is. You win the first two legs of the Triple Crown, then you'll want to go on to the Belmont. But otherwise? This seems like a sound decision to me, but boy, is Carl getting pilloried for it.

They owe the horse his chance to make his mark, and they have laid out a strategy that may well do it for him. The good of the horse should always come before the good of the game. Although "ducking" the Belmont seems to some unsporting, this may be the right way to go for this particular horse.

[judi May 31, 2007 4:28:43 PM]

You know what would be great for the game is if instead of pointing TB racehorses to one race or series of races they should point them toward racing careers. Retiring at 3, even 4, is so sad for the sport. I realize the breeding is an important part of the business, but if you're talking about it like a sport ... well, that's on the track, not the breeding shed. Gosh was I proud of The Tin Man! I listened to the pre-race analysis on HRTV, and they couldn't quite go with him because of his age. But he was beautifully conditioned and rested and ran like a great horse. Boy, to see Street Sense contend gamely in races this summer and fall, and then come back as a 4-year old - now THAT would be good for the sport - and the horse! For gosh sakes (I write that because this is a family publication), these horses are bred to run and if they are sound and healthy, that's what the love to do and want to do. Look again at The Tin Man... boy did he seem like a happy horse after his win!

[Libby May 31, 2007 8:29:33 PM]

I cannot stop myself from being disappointed in not seeing Hard Spun, Curlin and Steet Sense in the Belmont. Three magnificent horses that were bred for this moment of what i thought was the crowning glory of racing.

[Libby May 31, 2007 8:34:13 PM]

uhh, who is in the Belmont now?

[Dona ann mcadams Jun 1, 2007 7:51:57 AM]

Tell it like a horse, Sean.