Something About This Cigar Stinks

With all the hype about Cigar chasing Citation’s record win streak, one thing cannot be overlooked. Cigar’s connections, in their pursuit of the record, are now ducking those races that could challenge their charge.

Rather than run in the classic Metropolitan Mile at Belmont, his home base, against a truly quality field, his connections shipped to Boston to tackle a nice allowance field.

Now it looks as if his connections are going to duck the Hollywood Gold Cup. It appears Cigar’s connections do not believe their charge can give significant weight to good horses, a requirement to be considered truly “great.” Achieving the record in this manner will be less than advertised. Like Maris breaking Ruth’s record, an asterisk should be required.

JOSEPH C. SHELL JR.

Dana Point