Two Points for Honesty
I’ve read a lot of chastising of Michael Ivarone for him having stated that Big Brown would likely not race as a four-year-old.
Personally, I appreciate the honesty and sparing us the song and dance. Remember Smarty Jones and the hoopla that surrounded him? His owners swore from here to doomsday that their Elusive Quality colt would race at four. He didn’t.
Three Chimneys stands Smarty Jones, War Chant, and Point Given, three horses that did not race at four. Three Chimneys is one of two breeding operations (along with Coolmore’s Ashford Stud) believed to be in line to acquire Big Brown’s services when he retires.
I don’t hold it against owners who take the money. In almost all instances they invest back into the sport anyway. More than anything I hate lip service, and Ivarone was honest.
It’s not like it’s his decision, anyway. The stud farm probably told him “this year and that’s it.” Just like Darley told the owners of Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun, and Street Sense.
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