TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

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Keith Maidlow
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TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Keith Maidlow »

I started the SIM (Yr 19) running mostly dirt sprinters because that's what I always liked to bet in "real life" racing. Success was relatively good with four Steward Cup wins and ,at the time, a top stallion in Goodguywearsblack. Then I decided dirt routing would be fun and that's where so much of the glory was.

Major successes were few but satisfying in two SC Juvy winners and a Louisville Derby win but there were so many more "fails" with horses with so much potential/hope.

So this year I have a homebred, three year old, Woodstock Drummer, who is a freak, ran top workouts at 1 and 2, then opened his career with a 100 SF only to finish second to Philadelphia Blue (top 2 choice for the Derby). Then it was two minor stakes wins and a sixth in the Juvy. At three he finished second with a SF of 87 and had to win the Keyboard Courage Stake (SF 93) just to get the points to get into the Derby. He's a DMB out of an Allonsy mare so he should like going classic distances. He's my last big attempt at dirt routing since I'm moving back to DS. I like my horse but this division is just tooooooo tough with so many great players and horses that are just as good or better then my best. The reward is great, so my excitement is always super high. It's no different this year but, sheesh, this will be a challenge as always.

Good luck to everyone in this year's Derby (most luck to me of course)!
It's still great fun!
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LA Pepper
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by LA Pepper »

Jeez. I cant just crack into the higher echelons of dirt sprinter and here comes back another super trainer ! Please stick to dirt routing :(
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Rochelle Bos
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Rochelle Bos »

So far my horses never seem to peak in time for the big races. And then when they do peak they are still meh, so I feel you 🥺

Getting a freak doesn’t even excite me anymore. Even my highest racing earned Beau is more sad than happy to run. https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1257330

Freak peak - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1329231
Freak LB - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1334690
Freak peak his whole career - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1260869
Freak peak - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1290316

Freak peak TS - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1304949
Freak peak TM - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1296153
Freak peak DS - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1350792
Freak peak TM - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1289817
Freak peak TM - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1308898
Freak peak TM (still not even a stakes winner) - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1280940
Freak peak TM who can’t decide if he wants to win or not - https://www.simhorseracing.com/horse.ph ... ID=1261770

Maybe I’m just having a miserable year, but my SIM excitement is definitely lacking when my horses do me this way
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Gwayne's World
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Gwayne's World »

The Glamour and Glory division offers a player, the experience of the lowest lows and the highest highs.

Definitely no place for the impatient or faint of heart.
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Andrew James
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Andrew James »

Dirt routing is sooooooo hard. I've been able to manufacture pretty decent lines in the milers and AW divisions but you just can't do it in dirt routing. Need that random leap mare who is foundational or an awesome stewy purchase. Been playing for 25 seasons, regularly breed 50-75 dirt routers a year and I think my best Triple Crown finish is a 6th lol.
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Jack Meyer
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Jack Meyer »

The division is insane for sure, it doesn't matter how many potential runners you have. I have been here since Year 35 and have been trying to establish myself in DR since I started because I have loved it since I was a kid when my dad and I would go to the racetrack and watch horses. We would go every year for the big DR races and go for the BC and big Derby prep races just because we loved them. I don't think you can really establish yourself in the division because it's so difficult to STAY in the upper echelon. Your time goes faster than it comes, just gotta be lucky to be there when it comes I assume.
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Polk Buffalo
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Polk Buffalo »

Andrew James wrote: 2 years ago Dirt routing is sooooooo hard. I've been able to manufacture pretty decent lines in the milers and AW divisions but you just can't do it in dirt routing. Need that random leap mare who is foundational or an awesome stewy purchase. Been playing for 25 seasons, regularly breed 50-75 dirt routers a year and I think my best Triple Crown finish is a 6th lol.
My best is a 20th in the Louisville derby... And I think I have one second last finish too in the Baltimore. I would celebrate a 6th ;)
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Stormy Peak
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Stormy Peak »

Unknowingly at the time, I think I got lucky when I first started. I kind of ambled along for a few years with horses in various divisions...but wanted to do dirt route races the most...because that is what I love in real life racing. But then I bred a turf sprinter, Storm The Blockade, who won an SC race...and most of my dirt sprinters went by the wayside as I tried to breed more turf sprinters.

Then I had a few nice turf milers come along, Won't Back Down and Dark Shadows (who also won a SC race)...and most of my dirt milers got replaced as I focused upon turf miles for some seasons.

And all through that time, my Foremost line of fillies kept getting better and better and I started focusing on turf routers...and yep, my barn was almost emptied of dirt routers....and too, the number of turf milers and turf sprinters reduced quite a bit.

So, in spite of my intentions of wanting to be a stable that focused mostly upon dirt routers, I ended up as one, who's main focus is turf routers. I still dabble in the other divisions...and if I ever win a SC Turf Route race...then I might go a bit stronger into the dirt route division and see if I can get a SC dirt sprint, mile, and route race there too - and it would be cool to win one or all 3 of the Triple races...hopefully all in the same year...lol.

But from what I've seen, it does look like the toughest nut to crack in this game.

Good luck with your freak, Keith.

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Eric Gray
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Eric Gray »

That was an insane maiden race Keith. Possibly 3 Derby entrants from that race depending on what Magic Kingdom does. Exceptional race. Best of luck to all.
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Cleo Patra
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Cleo Patra »

It’s definitely a difficult division. This year particularly so. I have a colt that has only been defeated once (https://www.simhorseracing.com//horse.p ... ID=1328585) but I’m not sending him to the Derby. I don’t see any point in ruining his confidence just to run 10th
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Jack Ryder
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Jack Ryder »

I find it very easy, you breed and you pension. Done.
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Danny Derby
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Danny Derby »

If you want the SIM to turn you into a seething ball of rage and resentment just like me then I suggest you make Dirt Routing your primary focus.
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Keith Maidlow
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Keith Maidlow »

Danny Derby wrote: 2 years ago If you want the SIM to turn you into a seething ball of rage and resentment just like me then I suggest you make Dirt Routing your primary focus.
I can’t believe I’m saying this…I totally agree with you. I totally agree with Danny Derby!
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Rochelle Bos
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Rochelle Bos »

Polk Buffalo wrote: 2 years ago
Andrew James wrote: 2 years ago Dirt routing is sooooooo hard. I've been able to manufacture pretty decent lines in the milers and AW divisions but you just can't do it in dirt routing. Need that random leap mare who is foundational or an awesome stewy purchase. Been playing for 25 seasons, regularly breed 50-75 dirt routers a year and I think my best Triple Crown finish is a 6th lol.
My best is a 20th in the Louisville derby... And I think I have one second last finish too in the Baltimore. I would celebrate a 6th ;)
I had to peek too. My best was first Louisville attempt in Y56 when Blew By You finished 11th (Y58 17th, Y59 13th). Set in Motion also finished 11th in the Y58 Long Island (only attempted once). Arthur finished 7th in the Y59 Baltimore (attempted only once)
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Rochelle Bos
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Re: TB Dirt Routing Is Very Difficult

Post by Rochelle Bos »

Danny Derby wrote: 2 years ago If you want the SIM to turn you into a seething ball of rage and resentment just like me then I suggest you make Dirt Routing your primary focus.
Says the person with the most reliable female line in the game 🤣🤪
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• Pension your 2yo or older horse
• Ship your horse to any Kingswood Location
• Sell your horse to Rochelle Bos for $0


Comparison is the thief of joy - Theodore Roosevelt
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