Re: Slide? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Slide. (577 Views)
Posted by:
twoshoes (IP Logged)
Date: June 10, 2004 10:30AM
That is exactly the point and the reason I thought RHT and EDD had no chance here. They were both trained to attend the pace and plain and simple they were going to lose the battle and the war right there. Smarty is superior to them, at least right now. It's also the reason I gave Birdstone a chance here. He was a fresh grinder who could only benefit from the likely pace scenario and frankly as unhealthy as the line looked he was honestly the only other horse (Purge didn't settle like he did in the PP)in the race that appeared to me have a chance to pick up the pieces. A Grade I winner over the course who was glued to a dead rail in his final prep for the Derby and had no chance in the Derby itself mainly because of how he was brought to the race. He got something out of the effort and Zito capitalized by getting more bottom in him and keeping him happy at Oklahoma. The other thing that helped him of course was Bailey's imprudent ride. I realize he probably felt he couldn't let Smarty gallop on the lead after a moderate half but it really was a ridiculous premature move for any jock and cost Eddington any shot he had to begin with. Forget about Smarty's people being upset with the move - where are Eddington's people?