Dana666 Wrote:
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> So what is the point of all this? They're upset
> because Baffert had a plan, one that is perfectly
> legal by the way, and it worked. They need to get
> over it. Yes, the stewards should have taken a
> look, for sure, but even the NBC commentators said
> it was perfectly legit. How about all the previous
> failed triple crown attempts where horses were
> purposely attacked and taken out of their game so
> as not to win the crown? I can name quite a few.
> So what, this time it worked the other way. I
> didn't know Repole was such a cry baby. He wins
> enough on the NYRA circuit not to complain about
> anything.
>
> I mean, for me, what stands out is how easy it all
> went after that. The whole thing was sort of
> anti-climactic. Those fractions were pedestrian at
> best. A bunch of slow, distance challenged (save
> Gronk) horses in futile chase mode. Gronk ran a
> tremendous race I thought given the fractions.
>
> One other take away from this race is one has to
> weigh heavily any attempt EVER to beat the Browns,
> Bafferts, and Pletchers, not Saturday but most
> days, (a few others you could throw in) of the
> world.
>
> How many people touted Mott's horse??? Mott is one
> of those old school trainers who has outstanding
> stock and wins like what 10-15 % of his races;
> and there are an awful lot of them. You bet these
> guys and you'll go broke fast; yeah, once in a
> while something jumps up, but overall they cannot
> complete with the super-charged barns. Bet
> Mandella on the west coast, you'll talk to
> yourself. I'm sure you all could come up with many
> more old schoolers who for the most part cannot
> hack it anymore. Have you ever seen a Jimmy
> jerkins horse run two good races in a row? Seldom
> happens. I'm going to stop wasting money on these
> hall of famers, because their era has passed. I
> alwsy try to be non-biased but I'm fast coming up
> with a list of trainers I simply will not ever
> play.
>
> I remember years ago when the California trainers
> first started performance enhancing shall we shall
> and Charlie Whittingham suddenly became a 5%
> winning trainer. I thought Charlie must have
> forgot how to train horses or something.
>
> Yeah Mott's going to beat Baffert. not in this
> universe. I mean, seriously, why do we spend so
> much time handicapping, all this money for all
> these products, sheets, workouts, racing forms,
> etc. Chad brown takes over; forget that the horse
> ran slow numbers in mile races on polytrack. he'll
> get lit up today. He only had the horse for a
> couple weeks. if he had him for a month he probaly
> wins, right?
>
> Pletcher, Baffert, Brown, Rudy Rod, Assmussen,
> Brad Cox, Joe Sharp, Jason Servis, Navarro, so so
> many others.
>
> OK, lastly, and this RANT will end.
>
> Why don't they have Breeder's Cups at Belmont
> anymore. Could there be any more perfect venue for
> racing's biggest days? geez, that drives me crazy.
> every year so cal.

Excellent post.

Yes, the other Baffert herded Noble Indy wide. But to my eye, Justify broke so sharply and got to the lead rather easily that I'm not so sure NI mattered without the "interference". And if Repole was using NI to soften up Justify for his other horse.......then son you just got out smarted by a guy far better than you. Quit sniveling.

If NI rushed up to soften Justify, would people complain how "unfair" that was?? Doubt it. Its part of the game, and if you can help your horse win without breaking the rules too bad for the others. RH rushed up and didn't allow NI to engage Justify. After that, the other horses had their chances to run him down. They weren't good enough. This "interference" narrative is overblown.

I've seen rabbits entered many times in big races. I've seen jealous Woody Stephens sacrifice his own horse, because a filly whipped him in the Kentucky Derby.

This isn't anything new, its not illegal. Ever watch a NASCAR race with guys from the same outfit??

As to your other point, this is the nature of sports today. Deep pocketed owners, doing whatever it takes to win. The Warriors signing KD, Yankees and Red Sox sparing no expense signing stars, New England with Spygate. Horse racing has syndicates and trainers that will do whatever it takes. We've discussed Baffert's record in New York, one that is as likely as Arcangues winning the Classic.

While we have no proof, many people much more in tune to the game than me, have wondered out loud about the methods of their successes. I find it hard to believe that these guys are just that much better at training a horse than the rest.

I've been a racing fan for 40+ years, and my view of all sports is a lot more jaded than it was in my youth. I'm starting to care less and less about all of it, and for those that know me its something they would never imagine happening. The only thing I root for now is the team I'm betting on.

I didn't really enjoy watching the Dubs in the finals. That was about the most anti climactic championship I've ever seen....and I've loved that team since before they moved to Oakland.

The rich get richer, in sports and in life, and they don't care much how it happens or what you think about it.

P-Dub