I was keeping up with my reading in the Bloodhorse tonight and I saw a letter to the editor about one of my favorite horses, Gorella, and her chances in the Eclipse Award voting.  The letter was in the December 9th issue and the letter was titled “Wrong Place.”

The author suggested that the owner of Gorella cost himself an Eclipse Award by running Gorella against the boys in the BC Mile instead of head to head with Ouija Board in the Filly and Mare Turf. 

I could have sworn that Gorella had actually won races against males, but the author suggests otherwise and I’ll concede the point.  The author used this piece of information to suggest that Gorella was in over her head in the mile and the F&M Turf was a much easier race for her to win.   And that win would have locked up the Eclipse Award for Gorella.

It is conjecture to say that Gorella would have won the F&M Turf.  But I have a problem with the suggestion that it was a bad call to put her in the Mile.

The fact of the matter is that Gorella had a terrible trip in the 2005 BC Mile.  I know because I had money on her and I watched her try to find room repeatedly in the stretch while full of run.  It was so frustrating watching her so full of energy but totally bottled up.  She was the best horse that day, but as I have said many times, being the best horse is not enough.  It takes being the best horse and getting the right trip.

I was one of many who were very excited to see Gorella take another shot at the Mile.  The field in the 2006 BC Mile was actually a little softer top to bottom, so she certainly belonged in the race.

She was installed as the morning line favorite for the 2006 BC Mile and went off the second choice.  There is absolutely no reason to believe that Gorella would not have just a good of a chance in the Mile as in the F&M Turf. 

I have a lot of respect for Martin Schwartz’ decision to put Gorella in the Mile.  Not just because it was a race she was definitely capable of winning, but because beating the boys would have been a nice statement about Gorella’s talent.  It was one of the few things she didn’t have in her resume. 

I have a soft spot for owners and trainers who swing for the fences.  It is these types that continue to race quality horses into their four year old seasons when the easy thing to do is to retire their lightly raced colts as three year olds.  These types of owners and trainers look for the best competition they can find for their horses.  It gives us on the enthusiast side something to cheer for, and it gives us unique handicapping opportunities like seeing Gorella take on the boys. 

It is also conjecture to say that the decision cost Gorella the Eclipse Award.  Ouija Board is a tremendously talented horse, but she raced just once in NA between BC races.  I hope Gorella gets a good look from the writers and her strong resume stacks up against Ouija Board. 

But win or lose, my hat is off to Mr. Schwartz for going for it in the Mile.Â