Fillies and Champions

The guy who got rich on Kendall Jackson wines was just on teevee. There's a big controversy about whether or not fillies should run in races generally for stallions. Specifically, the notion is whether or not Rachel Alexandra should be racing in the Preakness.

The fuckwads have spoken about boycotting. I think the fuckwads are assholes.

I guess I have already made my thoughts on sports being disallowed anywhere on DU BUT the Sports section (probably more strongly than I should have), so I will refrain from further comment.

Unbelievable.

Best racehorse ever. Never headed, never beaten.

I saw her last race on TV and it scarred me for life.


And I had not ever been on a horse until 2005.

:cry:

So many years ago and I can still see it in my mind's instant replay.

are so many breakdowns. Discusses Eight Belles, Ruffian, ans others.


http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown08/columns/story?columnist=nack_bill&id=3399004

but some of them who have a good race record and an attractive pedigree will eventually become breeding stallions. And that's where the money is made, through stud fees (for an unproven stallion, the first few years is the time to make the $$$, until their get make the track; then they'll be judged on their offspring's peformance, and the fees will be adjusted accordingly. A few fees will skyrocket; for the vast majority of stallions, their fees decreases).

A filly who becomes a broodmare can only produce a maximum of one offspring a year, and if the offspring is sold, her racing record can add some of value, but nowhere near a stallion that can have 50+ hit the track every year.

Yes, there still is a lot of sexism in racing. Fillies can run just as well as the boys up until, and including a miles; then there's a gap until 1 1/2 miles, then they are just as competent once again. However, the majority of important stakes races in the US are run at 1 1/8 - 1 1/4 miles. That could be influencing some perceptions.

If this idiot weren't so ethnocentric, he would know quite a few international names - all fillies or mares, and some who have won against the boys in much tougher races than any of the Triple Crown (or other US) ones. It's not uncommon for filles and mares to race against the colts in Europe, Australia/NZ and South Africa. It's also not uncommon for them to win.

For what it's worth, there is often a prejudice against geldings in big stakes races, too. I think, for the same reasons (even though they may say fillies and geldings aren't as strong as colts).

edited to clarify a couple of things. Had to run off to watch the rae.

:evilgrin:

fillyology?

A winner's a winner. What bullshit.

What, specifically, is "what bullshit"?

It felt like she had struck a blow for all womankind.

But Ruffian and Eight Belles just made me sad.