I remember seeimg the Shoe ride (albeit on television) in the early 1980s.
Spectacular Bid was indeed spectacular. My friend Cathy and I watched his Derby on TV and he got us hooked on horse racing. Still remember that sinking feeling when Bid finished 3rd to Coastal and Golden Act in the Belmont. Had it not been for a safety pin and a bad ride, he would have won the Triple Crown.
I was in a different (we could say "spoiled") position, having seen Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed in quick succession win the Triple Crown. My impression: 1 1/2 miles was beyond Bid's best distance, though he did run well when 2nd to Affirmed in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup (3/4 length behind Affirmed's 2:27 2/5; Coastal had won the Belmont, nearly four lengths ahead of Bid, in 2:28 3/5).
How much did Bid's foot affect his Belmont Stakes performance? (At the time, there was controversy: did the alleged safety pin injury happen at all?) Bid's Belmont Stakes 1 1/4-mile split (half-length behind Coastal's 2:02 2/5) was nearly as quick as his own Kentucky Derby-winning 2:02 2/5.
So... bring on the controversy! (wink) It's surely possible that with a more moderate Belmont pace (slower than 1:11 1/5 six furlongs), Bid beats Coastal.
I remember seeimg the Shoe ride (albeit on television) in the early 1980s.
Spectacular Bid was indeed spectacular. My friend Cathy and I watched his Derby on TV and he got us hooked on horse racing. Still remember that sinking feeling when Bid finished 3rd to Coastal and Golden Act in the Belmont. Had it not been for a safety pin and a bad ride, he would have won the Triple Crown.
Bid had that star power, for sure!
I was in a different (we could say "spoiled") position, having seen Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed in quick succession win the Triple Crown. My impression: 1 1/2 miles was beyond Bid's best distance, though he did run well when 2nd to Affirmed in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup (3/4 length behind Affirmed's 2:27 2/5; Coastal had won the Belmont, nearly four lengths ahead of Bid, in 2:28 3/5).
How much did Bid's foot affect his Belmont Stakes performance? (At the time, there was controversy: did the alleged safety pin injury happen at all?) Bid's Belmont Stakes 1 1/4-mile split (half-length behind Coastal's 2:02 2/5) was nearly as quick as his own Kentucky Derby-winning 2:02 2/5.
So... bring on the controversy! (wink) It's surely possible that with a more moderate Belmont pace (slower than 1:11 1/5 six furlongs), Bid beats Coastal.