Letter: Bulldog’s four-year-old effect

To the Editor:

I walked into the OTB last night.

Bulldog Hanover is the talk of the thoroughbred crowd too.

Jack Darling stated the TVG is on his schedule after the BC in late October.

The public frenzy begins for the world record attempt at Lexington on October 9.

He has reached the pantheon of popularity in my opinion.

When Cam Fella was feted after 28 straight wins in his four-year-old season Bruce Johnston stated

“They had the faith and courage to race this horse as a four-year-old, when I’m sure they heard it a hundred times from all the experts in the industry, what have you got left to prove?”

Well, he did have a lot left to prove, and he’s turned the whole industry around. I don’t think another great racehorse will ever be able to retire to be a stallion without racing past his third year and be as great as Cam Fella.

The BULLDOG four-year-old effect

Hoosier Pacing Derby

Handle
2022    $312,758
2021    $124,552
2020    $108,937

Pick 4
2022     $46,416
2021     $12,591
2020     $12,904. (Pick 5)

Can you remotely imagine what 2022 would have been like if Flightline and Bulldog Hanover were retired after their three-year-old campaigns? This is why horse racing desperately needs the stars on the track past their three-year-old season.

Michael Antoniades

Chicago, IL