Banana Beach and Ronnie Gillespie
Quote from NiekH on June 23, 2026, 5:27 PMAfter a monster qualifier at Scioto Downs, Banana Beach laid it down at Oak Grove.
On a wet track, so close to the track record. Either a monster, or peaking way to early.
After a monster qualifier at Scioto Downs, Banana Beach laid it down at Oak Grove.
On a wet track, so close to the track record. Either a monster, or peaking way to early.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on June 24, 2026, 6:59 AMWith the improvement of the breed we likely will see ever increasing monster miles by 2 year olds. Whether it is beneficial to the career and wellbeing of the particular horse is debatable. Given his reputation, Ronnie had the filly ready to roll with a good foundation under her. Not too dissimilar to Be Perfect BG’s debut last year at the Meadowlands, but Tony Beaton went on to lightly race her the rest of the year.
The breeders love it, because they get to promote the stallion and future sales of the babies. The sales companies love it, because … see above. Unless the race money shifts more from the 2 year olds to older, this is what we will get.
With the improvement of the breed we likely will see ever increasing monster miles by 2 year olds. Whether it is beneficial to the career and wellbeing of the particular horse is debatable. Given his reputation, Ronnie had the filly ready to roll with a good foundation under her. Not too dissimilar to Be Perfect BG’s debut last year at the Meadowlands, but Tony Beaton went on to lightly race her the rest of the year.
The breeders love it, because they get to promote the stallion and future sales of the babies. The sales companies love it, because … see above. Unless the race money shifts more from the 2 year olds to older, this is what we will get.
Quote from Purple Aura on June 24, 2026, 8:10 AMNorm, what does " improvement of the breed " mean? Why is the standardbred breed improving and the thoroughbred breed is not? Standardbreds set new world records all the time. It rarely happens in thoroughbred racing. Am I missing something?
Norm, what does " improvement of the breed " mean? Why is the standardbred breed improving and the thoroughbred breed is not? Standardbreds set new world records all the time. It rarely happens in thoroughbred racing. Am I missing something?
Quote from Lonnie on June 24, 2026, 12:03 PMQuote from Purple Aura on June 24, 2026, 8:10 AMNorm, what does " improvement of the breed " mean? Why is the standardbred breed improving and the thoroughbred breed is not? Standardbreds set new world records all the time. It rarely happens in thoroughbred racing. Am I missing something?
Secretariat skipped five generations. Or, more!
Niatross skipped two.
Back in the day, I remember Stan Bergstein once predicting that the world record would one day be held by a 2yo.
Quote from Purple Aura on June 24, 2026, 8:10 AMNorm, what does " improvement of the breed " mean? Why is the standardbred breed improving and the thoroughbred breed is not? Standardbreds set new world records all the time. It rarely happens in thoroughbred racing. Am I missing something?
Secretariat skipped five generations. Or, more!
Niatross skipped two.
Back in the day, I remember Stan Bergstein once predicting that the world record would one day be held by a 2yo.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on June 24, 2026, 2:32 PM@purple-aura
Several years ago I read or heard someone describe the difference between thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. If anyone out there is or has access to an educated and experienced equine expert in the field, please feel free to elaborate and/or correct my understanding on the subject.
The thoroughbred gallop has been the same athletic movement for as long as the breed has been in existence and even further back to the Arabians and most equines(?). To run fast, the gallop has been a relatively consistent action.
Whereas, the trotting and pacing actions, at least for high speed, are relatively in their infancy (mid 1800’s?). It took some time to get a foundation of breeding stock on line, but you now have an abundance of breeding options. The equipment improvements and the science behind track surfaces have also played a large part. Sadly, I think the quality of training overall is not improving, because the horses are so much more natural. This is certainly not a unique opinion.
We discussed it awhile back about the impact of having pacing blood in trotters as being another evolution of the trotting gait. Captain Corey just looked different. Not shocking to me, but it might take a real professional as Ake to tease out those new gears.
@NiekH and all others, please share your thoughts.
Several years ago I read or heard someone describe the difference between thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. If anyone out there is or has access to an educated and experienced equine expert in the field, please feel free to elaborate and/or correct my understanding on the subject.
The thoroughbred gallop has been the same athletic movement for as long as the breed has been in existence and even further back to the Arabians and most equines(?). To run fast, the gallop has been a relatively consistent action.
Whereas, the trotting and pacing actions, at least for high speed, are relatively in their infancy (mid 1800’s?). It took some time to get a foundation of breeding stock on line, but you now have an abundance of breeding options. The equipment improvements and the science behind track surfaces have also played a large part. Sadly, I think the quality of training overall is not improving, because the horses are so much more natural. This is certainly not a unique opinion.
We discussed it awhile back about the impact of having pacing blood in trotters as being another evolution of the trotting gait. Captain Corey just looked different. Not shocking to me, but it might take a real professional as Ake to tease out those new gears.
@NiekH and all others, please share your thoughts.
Quote from Dancespell on August 1, 2026, 12:16 PMWhat is going on with Ronnie? This filly is in to go Tuesday 8/4 at The Red Mile. Carter Pinske listed as trainer! Don't think the ownership has changed.
What is going on with Ronnie? This filly is in to go Tuesday 8/4 at The Red Mile. Carter Pinske listed as trainer! Don't think the ownership has changed.
Quote from Lonnie on August 1, 2026, 2:52 PMQuote from Dancespell on August 1, 2026, 12:16 PMWhat is going on with Ronnie? This filly is in to go Tuesday 8/4 at The Red Mile. Carter Pinske listed as trainer! Don't think the ownership has changed.
@dancespell, this was posted in a different thread. Good video:
https://youtu.be/yhHNfSRgGU8?si=9wkH0Ohctir_1ZBq
Quote from Dancespell on August 1, 2026, 12:16 PMWhat is going on with Ronnie? This filly is in to go Tuesday 8/4 at The Red Mile. Carter Pinske listed as trainer! Don't think the ownership has changed.
@dancespell, this was posted in a different thread. Good video: