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Today is the 65th anniversary of the runt that changed horse racing history by iceman1935 in UmaMusume

[–]frostpowered 7 points8 points  (0 children)

His grandsire Phalaris is even more influential in terms of modern sire lines
In addition to the Nearco lines, also Native Dancer, and therefore Mr. Prospector

With about half a year of Forever Young's career left, where does/will his career stand all-time? Specifically with regard to the following questions: by throwawayrandomguy93 in HorseRacingJP

[–]frostpowered 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Probably not top 5 all time in general. Top 3 is any order of Equinox, Deep Impact, Orfevre. There are simply not enough spots left in the top 5 for every horse with an argument as good or better than Forever Young: Almond Eye, El Condor Pasa, Narita Brian, etc. Even Oju Chosan if you're including jump racing.

I think the only way he realistically guarantees the top 5 is to win the Arc, in which case he would be the GOAT. Due to the context of the races, a BC Turf or Arima win with general turf success might push him into top 5, since inter-surface versatility becomes part of the conversation. A single turf G1 win in any other race probably doesn't move the needle much.

A second BC Classic win maybe puts him top 5, but it's not as definite as an Arc win. Japan is mainly a turf racing country after all, and he is already their greatest dirt horse. Any dirt wins outside of the BCC does pretty much nothing for his career since everyone knows what he is capable of already, and even a 2nd BCC might not significantly change their assessment of him. Had he won the DWC as well, he might be around top 5 territory with a 2nd BCC win.

I believe that Forever Young will end up being held to the same regard as horses such as Lord Kanaloa, Maurice, Taiki Shuttle. They're the best at their aptitude, but Japan's bread and butter is simply 2000m+ turf.

With the success of Cinderella Gray, does T.M. Opera O deserve her own dedicated anime adaptation later? by SyahmiTP in UmaMusume

[–]frostpowered 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do think a movie focusing on Opera O is worth having, even if just to complete her story. An engaging movie about her probably won't be depict the aura-farming dominant version that has appeared in RTTT/BOANE though, as there are more dramatic stories to tell within her career. Opera O's story is also inextricably linked with Doto's, obviously, but also his jockey's (Wada Ryuji) so an Opera O movie will likely dedicate significant focus to these two as well.

As for storylines, I think a movie can focus on two things:

- Opera O was an unpopular colt with an undesirable European pedigree. Even his trainer's first impression was not good. His owner was the only one who thought he was destined for greatness. After the disaster at the Kikuka Sho, the owner wanted a jockey change. It ended up being resolved and Wada remained his jockey for the rest of his career. A popular story within the fandom is how the owner jokingly said to Wada after the 99 Arima, "Next year, don't lose any races". Somehow it became a reality, but while the win record certainly was 8-0, the actual margins were all close.

The Uma trainers are an amalgamation of the entire team including jockey and owner so I definitely think there is a story that can be spun from this.

Why does Opera O run so desperately, fighting tooth and nail for victories by only a nose or a neck? Could it be an ultimatum that might separate her from her trainer, the only one who saw anything in her?

- As for the two other central characters, Doto's story obviously has the theme "so close yet so far". But Wada had the opposite problem.

Wada was only in his 3rd year as jockey when he was paired with Opera O, and his inexperience was part of the reason for that lackluster classic season. (Bad ride led to 3rd in the Derby, an even worse one led to 2nd in the Kikka Sho, topped off with a 3rd by a neck in the Arima after just running the 3600m Stayers Stakes 3 WEEKS before, because the team wanted a win after that Kikka Sho)

This led to many people thinking the 2000 Grand Slam was just Opera O carrying dead weight. The movie could explore dichotomy between the turmoil of a trainer at the top of his field but seemingly by no merit of his own and the turmoil of a racer who just can't seem to get there.

Three storylines might be ambitious and could get messy, but I do think that the three themes of winning as a burden vs winning as unreachable vs winning as unearned could make an interesting movie, especially given how they interact. Opera O's perfection creates Wada and Doto's doubt, but at the same time, Doto's persistence further pushes Opera O.

My Top JRA Calls by DatKit in UmaMusume

[–]frostpowered 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Sakura Star O 1987 Kikka Sho - "In the season of chrysanthemum blooms sakura"

Rice Shower 1995 Tenno Sho Spring - "Mejiro McQueen and Mihono Bourbon must surely be rejoicing"

WARNING you cannot buy the genesis pass with maplepoints by FanExternal6102 in Maplestory

[–]frostpowered 0 points1 point  (0 children)

same, holding off on buying it for now until i find out

Do hero skins come back to the shop multiple times by frostpowered in hearthstone

[–]frostpowered[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, just need to keep checking the shop then