ringato3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MJ,
>
> Respect your opinion, but think you are WAY
> offbase.
>
> Tell me why Mario has to attack down the
> backstretch. The 4 had backed off, the 2 was on
> the lead, Mario was on the outside in a nice
> stalking position, why go attack Uncle Lino. No
> way that was to avoid taking dirt. Just stupid
> race riding.
>
> Sure, the horse doesn't want to take dirt, but
> that had nothing to do with the over aggressive
> move down the backstretch. He and Uncle Lino ding
> donging down the backside only makes sense if the
> biggest concern Mario had was Uncle Lino getting
> away from him, which was silly, relative to the
> quality horse behind him.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled with the
> decision, as I bet Exaggerator in both legs of
> this triple crown (a bit on Danzig Candy in the
> Derby), but a strange ride IMO. When i watch the
> replay, I see him pushing on the horse, not a
> Palace Malice Derby ride, where Smith lost control
> of the horse and he was run off.
>
> Rob

I gotta say, you're off base here. I just watched the replay.

Gutierrez did not push this horse down the backstretch. Leaving the gate he breaks sharply, veers out a bit to get the #4 off his flank while the #2 drives up inside of him. The 2 of them head around the turn into the backstretch. At no point is Gutierrez scrubbing on him, urging him, or anything else other than sitting on him. Nyqvist is doing it on his own, because at that point that's what the horse wants to do. He leaves the gate flying, and is content to stay up front. Talking about Nyqvist. I don't think strangling the horse, which is what it would have took to slow him down, was a good idea either.

Its the horse that is doing the work. I don't know why people think horses are cars, you just hit the gas or the breaks and they do whatever they want you to do. They are animals, 1200+ pound animals, and if they want to do something there isn't much a 115 pound man can do about it.

Gutierrez rode the race O'Neill wanted him to. Stay outside, stay up front. Nyquist gave a tremendous effort considering the wicked pace. But blaming Gutierrez for the race ride, IMO isn't fair.

P-Dub