Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2012 5:34:13 GMT -5
Following the announcement that Star Thoroughbreds would be sending the mare, Vindictive Fury, to the Ladies' Classic, Silver Stride Stables have announced a change of plans for the three year old Afterglow, who won the Acorn Stakes earlier this year. Instead of the Ladies' Classic, Afterglow will instead head to the Filly & Mare Sprint. I went to Silver Stride Stables to discover the reasons behind the change in plans.
Me: Matthias, Afterglow is a well documented race horse. She won the Juvenile Fillies last year and the Acorn Stakes earlier this year. What are your reasons for withdrawing her from the Ladies' Classic?
Matthias: We intend to keep Afterglow's record strong, and feel that she would perform better in the Sprint than the Classic - she may be a talented racehorse, but the superior consistency and experience of Vinny and other horses in that race could prove problematic for her. As such, we would rather withdraw than risk damaging her confidence.
Me: Many spectators were looking forward to seeing Afterglow and Silverianna battle it out in this race. What do you have to say to those who are disappointed by this change in plans?
Matthias: The pair will race a lot next year, while I can understand disappointment you have to see it from her owner's perspective in that it is better to admit when a horse is likely to be outclassed in a race and scratch than to push them in anyway and risk future chances.
Me: Regarding your other horses, what are your hopes for this year's Breeder's Cup?
Matthias: Obviously, we'd love for them all to win but we understand that would be an incredible feat. I think our main goals this year are for Sonja - Paradise Island - to prove herself one last time as a two year old in the Juvenile Fillies and for Mona to defend her title successfully, becoming the first horse to win the race more than once.
You heard it here, folks
Anya Li
Me: Matthias, Afterglow is a well documented race horse. She won the Juvenile Fillies last year and the Acorn Stakes earlier this year. What are your reasons for withdrawing her from the Ladies' Classic?
Matthias: We intend to keep Afterglow's record strong, and feel that she would perform better in the Sprint than the Classic - she may be a talented racehorse, but the superior consistency and experience of Vinny and other horses in that race could prove problematic for her. As such, we would rather withdraw than risk damaging her confidence.
Me: Many spectators were looking forward to seeing Afterglow and Silverianna battle it out in this race. What do you have to say to those who are disappointed by this change in plans?
Matthias: The pair will race a lot next year, while I can understand disappointment you have to see it from her owner's perspective in that it is better to admit when a horse is likely to be outclassed in a race and scratch than to push them in anyway and risk future chances.
Me: Regarding your other horses, what are your hopes for this year's Breeder's Cup?
Matthias: Obviously, we'd love for them all to win but we understand that would be an incredible feat. I think our main goals this year are for Sonja - Paradise Island - to prove herself one last time as a two year old in the Juvenile Fillies and for Mona to defend her title successfully, becoming the first horse to win the race more than once.
You heard it here, folks
Anya Li
