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California Chrome may do it, but not equal this. (Original Post) Faygo Kid Jun 2014 OP
personally, I get sick to death of calling horses "machines." magical thyme Jun 2014 #1
People sometimes refer to... SkyDaddy7 Jun 2014 #3
I don't recall another such reference. Faygo Kid Jun 2014 #8
I've seen that reference used many times and it bothers me magical thyme Jun 2014 #13
OK. Faygo Kid Jun 2014 #15
+1 valerief Jun 2014 #14
I don't think any athlete ever could equal that performance. truebluegreen Jun 2014 #2
I feel the same. It was by far the great ballyhoo Jun 2014 #4
I feel the same way Rhiannon12866 Jun 2014 #6
I hope CA Chrome pulls it off too truebluegreen Jun 2014 #7
FYI, it ended up being "31 lengths." truebluegreen Jun 2014 #16
I hope Chrome makes it and there will never be 7wo7rees Jun 2014 #5
I'm rooting for Victor Espinoza BrotherIvan Jun 2014 #9
This is one I'm watching from the start, 4:30 p.m. EDT Faygo Kid Jun 2014 #10
Are you watching on TV? BrotherIvan Jun 2014 #11
one of the greatest athletes of all time MFM008 Jun 2014 #12
 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
1. personally, I get sick to death of calling horses "machines."
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 12:45 PM
Jun 2014

They are not machines. They are sentient beings, like the rest of us.

And athletes are not heroes. They are athletes.

SkyDaddy7

(6,045 posts)
3. People sometimes refer to...
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 01:15 PM
Jun 2014

HUMAN freaks of nature who, without drugs, do things in sports that were once thought impossible as "MACHINES".

I would not not get to upset over the reference as it is actually a compliment. Lets be honest, the horse is an "athlete" plain & simple just as Usain Bolt is.

Faygo Kid

(21,477 posts)
8. I don't recall another such reference.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 03:42 PM
Jun 2014

And the quote was, "He is moving LIKE a tremendous machine." It's one of the great lines in sports history, like "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" Plenty of others. Certainly not disparaging to Secretariat, and I don't take a back seat to anyone in caring for all animals. But that performance transcended sports. As close to perfection as we will ever see.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
13. I've seen that reference used many times and it bothers me
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 05:41 PM
Jun 2014

I'm a lifelong horsewoman. I don't like hearing sportscasters comparing horses to machines. I don't care what it means to you. I care what it means to the horses, how their viewed (as disposable) and how their treated.

Faygo Kid

(21,477 posts)
15. OK.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 07:09 PM
Jun 2014

It's they're, not their, and I frankly don't give a shit what it means to you.

By the way, did you know Alydar was ground into dog food? Don't lecture me about my work with horses. You know nothing about me, and let's keep it that way.

 

truebluegreen

(9,033 posts)
2. I don't think any athlete ever could equal that performance.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 12:53 PM
Jun 2014

It was magnificent, surreal, unforgettable.

I remember looking at pictures of Secretariat, and thinking he was an embodiment of one of Plato's Ideals: The Horse. He looked...perfect.

 

ballyhoo

(2,060 posts)
4. I feel the same. It was by far the great
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 02:40 PM
Jun 2014

accomplishment by an athlete, imo. I'll place a few bets on the Belmont today, but I'll save one ten dollar ticket forever. Secretariat did the Belmont in 2:24. Chrome may win but I doubt if he'll break 2:26. Different food. Different trainers. Different time. I can still see him pulling away at 27 lengths ahead of the second and thinking to myself :this is not possible.

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
6. I feel the same way
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 03:38 PM
Jun 2014

Chrome is a magnificent horse and I'm rooting for him all the way, but Secretariat was in a class all by himself...

 

truebluegreen

(9,033 posts)
7. I hope CA Chrome pulls it off too
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 03:39 PM
Jun 2014

although the size of the field may indicate that nobody's too sure of that.

But Secretariat will remain in a class by himself; 40 years on he still holds the record for all three races (they eventually corrected the Preakness time after digitally analyzing it).

I remember thinking--along with just about everyone else I bet--that there was No Way he could keep up the pace he set early....it was mind-boggling. Good for you! that you have that ticket.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
9. I'm rooting for Victor Espinoza
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 03:43 PM
Jun 2014

He's been the hardest working jockey at Santa Anita, a track with some very big names. He's gotten pushed aside by Talamo (meh), Gomez, Mike Smith, Bejarano, and Gary Stephens. Sort of being treated as an elder statesman with lesser mounts. He so deserves this horse and I am rooting for him just for that.

It's true, CC isn't so far ahead of his competition like Secretariat, nor does he have legendary competition to make him great. But it's nice to see someone who has worked so hard get the credit he deserves; day in day out, always doing his best, getting the most out of his horse and running smart races.

How are most of you watching it? Does anyone have a reliable source for live web streaming or is it just on NBC? Post time is 6:52 EST correct?

Faygo Kid

(21,477 posts)
10. This is one I'm watching from the start, 4:30 p.m. EDT
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 03:59 PM
Jun 2014

I don't normally watch all the pre-race hoopla in the Triple Crown races, just the race itself. But not this time. I think we're going to see something great here, and it's an 11-horse field for the Belmont (!). California Chrome is no Secretariat (who is?), but he has a Spark. This is going to be very interesting.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
11. Are you watching on TV?
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 04:03 PM
Jun 2014

I rewatched the Derby and the Preakness for CC and then watched all the Secretariat races. And then Seattle Slew and some others. I finally had to go to sleep. It will be an exciting day. Here's to a great trip for Victor and CC!

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