No one beats Twilight Eclipse six straight times
Poor old Twilight Eclipse.
Admittedly, there is something that attracts me to losers. A lifetime of being a Cubs fan tends to do that to a man. While I have always been a fan of Twilight Eclipse, I have to say, I’ve never liked the once bargain basement son of Purim as much as I do now. Not to say Twilight Eclipse is a loser; nothing could be further from the truth.
By now, though, you have likely all seen the triumphant return of the dual champion, Main Sequence in yesterday’s Mac Diarmida Stakes at Gulfstream Park. It featured an explosive run down the stretch, and one that came at the direct expense of Twilight Eclipse.
The losing streak of Twilight Eclipse has now broken a year, with his last victory coming in the Mac Diarmida of last year. The winner’s circle-less string has not come from a lack of really good racing, though. Trained by Tom Albertrani, and owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Twilight Eclipse has run five consecutive strong performances. Unfortunately, each of those five strong races have come in the same five races that the connections of Main Sequence have chosen to use as his first five starts in North America.
Pointing out just how well Twilight Eclipse has run in each of these races, the five straight losses to the 2014 Turf and Older Male Champion have come by a combined total of less than four lengths.
I have to wonder if enough is enough. All these good performances by Twilight Eclipse have proven himself as one of the top turf horses in America, but have they somewhat come in vain? I am all for top horses running against other top horses, but after five straight narrow defeats to the same horse, maybe is it time for his connections to find an easier spot and get their star a victory.
You shouldn’t cry for Twilight Eclipse, though, as he has collected just over $600,000 for his connections during this five race losing streak at the hands of Main Sequence.
Will he finally break free and run in a race sans Main Sequence? For his sake, I kind of hope so, but on the other hand, maybe someday he will finally defeat the champion. After all … no one beats Twilight Eclipse six straight times.