Do Right by the Horse - Reader comments at The New York Sun

Reader comment on:
Fans Lose as Street Sense Skips Belmont

Submitted by Frank Hatfield, Jun 1, 2007 10:34

Mr. Watman:

Your article "Fans lose as Street Sense skips Belmont" is misguided. First, I concur that the fans are losing out, but cannot agree with your assertion that Nafzger and Tafel are delivering a devastating "blow" to the sport of kings. The potential for another thrilling race would have been on tap had they decided to run. However, you must do right by the horse and recent history shows that the Belmont is a precarious race.

You reference the "Smarty Party" that engulfed Belmont, as well as the racing world, in 2004, but that was the last time Smarty peered through a starting gate. War Emblem raced through the end of his three year old season, but was never as sharp as he was during the Triple Crown only winning once after the Belmont beating a weak Haskell field. Recently, Afleet Alex competing in the all three races and, like Smarty Jones, retired after the Belmont. Likewise, Charismatic never raced after the Belmont.

Considering the aforementioned, it is quite reasonable that Street Sense is skipping the Belmont. To be sure, sportsmanship is a virtue of horse racing and should be displayed whenever possible. However, when the connections of a horse decide to do right by the horse such a decision should not be subjected to such harsh criticism as in your article.

Respectfully submitted,

Frank Hatfield

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Fans Lose as Street Sense Skips Belmont

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