By John Pricci

Saratoga Springs, NY--The Tampa Bay Derby changed everything. Suddenly, Nobiz Like Shobiz is not the brightest blip on the Kentucky Derby radar screen. That distinction belongs to Street Sense, the juvenile champion of 2006, who, according to jockey Calvin Borel, is “twenty lengths better than he showed [winning the Tampa Derby].”

That’s why we love athletes. A fresh colt survives a textbook stretch duel, passing an eyeball-to-fetlock war in his first start of the year, doing so in stakes and track record time and still has, according to his rider, another four full seconds left in the tank! But, hey, Derby Fever is a particularly virulent strain.

By John Pricci

By John Pricci

Saratoga Springs, NY--Polytrack, the most significant development in thoroughbred racing since the advent of Breeders’ Cup two decades ago, has suffered a significant blow to its burgeoning utility and reputation. Clearly, any development that positively affects the welfare of the equine athlete is a good thing. But it turns out that no solution is a quick fix, not even Polytrack.

Polytrack is more than an artificial racing surface. It is an entire system that includes a cushion laid over a vertical drainage structure that at once allows for softer impact for thousand-pound animals carrying 110 pounds on their backs while racing against other animals at 40 miles per hour. It, or surfaces like it, has become the hope of an industry looking to reduce catastrophic injuries of the kind suffered by Barbaro.

By John Pricci

Saratoga Springs, NY--Hyperbole is the linchpin of sports. Viewing just one edition of “Sports Center” proves that much. In thoroughbred racing, however, the term great is an adjective held in such high esteem that it’s often referred to as “the ‘G’ word.” It’s used sparingly, usually when remarkable performance meets historical achievement under extraordinary circumstances. But I’ve seen enough. Invasor is a great racehorse.

We’re going on the record now, two months before the reigning Horse of the Year defeats the exceedingly brilliant and perhaps great someday Discreet Cat in the Dubai World Cup halfway across the world on March 31 at Nad Al Sheba Race Course. After that, Invasor’s greatness bandwagon will fill up in :22-and-44 seconds flat.