Yeah, and they never even bother to mention RR in that stinkin' movie about his stablemate. Interesting that Turcotte moves on Riva at almost the same point that he would begin to leave Sham and the rest in his wake.
let's recall Sec's 3 TC wins. Derby - he won by running ea 1/4 faster than last - no horse in history has done this; Preak - he went last to 1st in the clubhouse turn and powered away never being challenged - cant name another horse to ever do that; Belmont - 2:24 and 31 lengths - no horse has come close to time and margin of victory. Lots of respect to RR, but Sec was in another class - the highest of all and we may never see another in our lifetime, or perhaps, ever.
My horse goes back to Riva Ridge--and reading the comments here of how kind Riva Ridge was...my horse is definitely the kindest, most patient soul you could find. I didn't know much about RR, or that he was one of Chenery's. Thanks for posting!
Riva was such a softy according to the crew. I can see how a really sloppy track would put him off. He just wasn't quite the 'warrior' that Secretariat was but still, a fabulous horse!! ♥
Riva Ridge would have won the Triple Crown, but for an off track that he couldn't handle. RR, along with Risen Star, the two most underrated triple crown competitors.
Correct, Riva Ridge was done in by a sloppy track at Pimloco. The Winner was Bee Bee Bee. Riva was terrible in the slop. He would have won the Triple Crown if he had a fast track at the Preakness. Definitely overlooked. Nice to see this clip.
This is true, but in reality the problem was that following the Belmont Penny Chenery and Lucien Laurin readily agree they made a mistake. They shipped Riva to LA to run in the Hollywood Derby which he won carrying an awesome weight. The horse finished the rest of 72 without a win. Riva redeemed himself in his 4 year old year in 73, and was retired the same day as Secretariat. Penny Chenery always had a soft spot in her heart for Riva Ridge, so did Lucien Laurin.
I've watched this video many times and I am totally impressed with Riva Ridge. I think he is every bit as good as any other except Secretariat. The way he kicks it into another gear just before the top of the stretch is thrilling. He was beautiful to look at also.
That's a very good point. I'd never really thought of Riva's underrated status in quite that way. While it was impossible for him to live up to the Secretariats, Bids, and Slews of that era, I still think the biggest knock on Riva Ridge was his great dislike for off tracks. If Riva had won the Preakness in the mud and excelled in the mud, then he'd likely have been top twenty in the Blood Horse list. I hope I understood the context of your question correctly.
Yep, it's a real shame Riva didn't get more acclaim. He was truly a legend, and the kindest horse you could ever hope for, according to Penny Chenery and his keepers. Take care.
Unbelieveably, Riva Ridge never got respect.He wasn't even voted the top 3 year old of 72. That went to Key to the Mint.And Secretariat was House of the Year as a 2 yr old.
Riva was a great horse that should have received MUCH mor attention than he did. This race showed how fleet and light of foot he really was. Big Red was the best of all time, but Riva was also a shoo-in TC winner if not for the slop in the Preakness. Take care.
Mike Rehak Says:
15/06/2012 7:05:54 AM
Yeah, and they never even bother to mention RR in that stinkin' movie about his stablemate. Interesting that Turcotte moves on Riva at almost the same point that he would begin to leave Sham and the rest in his wake.
80cathryn Says:
5/05/2012 3:43:23 PM
let's recall Sec's 3 TC wins. Derby - he won by running ea 1/4 faster than last - no horse in history has done this; Preak - he went last to 1st in the clubhouse turn and powered away never being challenged - cant name another horse to ever do that; Belmont - 2:24 and 31 lengths - no horse has come close to time and margin of victory. Lots of respect to RR, but Sec was in another class - the highest of all and we may never see another in our lifetime, or perhaps, ever.
hickory636 Says:
20/04/2012 1:15:01 PM
My horse goes back to Riva Ridge--and reading the comments here of how kind Riva Ridge was...my horse is definitely the kindest, most patient soul you could find. I didn't know much about RR, or that he was one of Chenery's. Thanks for posting!
kwgrid Says:
12/04/2012 6:04:49 AM
Riva was such a softy according to the crew. I can see how a really sloppy track would put him off. He just wasn't quite the 'warrior' that Secretariat was but still, a fabulous horse!! ♥
greensox57 Says:
18/01/2012 6:13:33 PM
Riva Ridge would have won the Triple Crown, but for an off track that he couldn't handle. RR, along with Risen Star, the two most underrated triple crown competitors.
shiza237 Says:
6/12/2011 8:09:51 PM
both riva's and secretariat handled the belmont in the same racing style. both seemed too race as the other,
PonyLuv17 Says:
7/11/2011 2:58:18 PM
Go Beau's Grand Sire!!! Thats my horses grand daddy! We have papers to prove it!!<3
caliwaters88 Says:
31/08/2011 6:30:16 AM
Meadow Stables had it pretty good in the early 70's
hamburg1306 Says:
16/08/2011 12:17:45 PM
Correct, Riva Ridge was done in by a sloppy track at Pimloco. The Winner was Bee Bee Bee. Riva was terrible in the slop. He would have won the Triple Crown if he had a fast track at the Preakness. Definitely overlooked. Nice to see this clip.
WMJCPA Says:
27/01/2011 1:07:10 PM
This is true, but in reality the problem was that following the Belmont Penny Chenery and Lucien Laurin readily agree they made a mistake. They shipped Riva to LA to run in the Hollywood Derby which he won carrying an awesome weight. The horse finished the rest of 72 without a win. Riva redeemed himself in his 4 year old year in 73, and was retired the same day as Secretariat. Penny Chenery always had a soft spot in her heart for Riva Ridge, so did Lucien Laurin.
spursfor5 Says:
23/06/2010 12:06:07 PM
I've watched this video many times and I am totally impressed with Riva Ridge. I think he is every bit as good as any other except Secretariat. The way he kicks it into another gear just before the top of the stretch is thrilling. He was beautiful to look at also.
horse12301 Says:
7/11/2009 1:19:53 AM
her is my friends horse`s grandfather
so is native dancer
pleasantcolony Says:
23/06/2009 1:54:00 PM
Riva Ridge makes it look easy! He is one of my all time favorites! He gave his stablemate, the great Secretariat, a run for his money in the Marboro!
northerndancernut Says:
3/01/2009 2:46:02 PM
I didn't realise until watching these videos how good Riva Ridge was. What an amazing horse he was!
cf1970 Says:
5/10/2008 11:29:38 AM
That's a very good point. I'd never really thought of Riva's underrated status in quite that way. While it was impossible for him to live up to the Secretariats, Bids, and Slews of that era, I still think the biggest knock on Riva Ridge was his great dislike for off tracks. If Riva had won the Preakness in the mud and excelled in the mud, then he'd likely have been top twenty in the Blood Horse list. I hope I understood the context of your question correctly.
STU676 Says:
5/10/2008 10:37:56 AM
awesome horse this was.....would u agree that he was underrated because of his particular era ?
cf1970 Says:
25/02/2007 12:14:00 AM
Yep, it's a real shame Riva didn't get more acclaim. He was truly a legend, and the kindest horse you could ever hope for, according to Penny Chenery and his keepers. Take care.
gottogosome Says:
24/02/2007 6:13:47 AM
Unbelieveably, Riva Ridge never got respect.He wasn't even voted the top 3 year old of 72. That went to Key to the Mint.And Secretariat was House of the Year as a 2 yr old.
cf1970 Says:
21/01/2007 8:00:26 AM
Riva was a great horse that should have received MUCH mor attention than he did. This race showed how fleet and light of foot he really was. Big Red was the best of all time, but Riva was also a shoo-in TC winner if not for the slop in the Preakness. Take care.
cf1970 Says:
21/01/2007 7:57:10 AM
Yes, Riva was very classy. One of my top ten favourites. Take care.