Re: Geroux's Comments (896 Views)
Posted by:
Strike (IP Logged)
Date: June 12, 2018 06:36PM
TGJB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One of several things getting lost in this is the
> effect on bettors. If those two were being use to
> set up other horses, someone who bet on EITHER
> Noble Indy or Restoring Hope got screwed-- the
> horse was not in there to win. It is no different
> than betting on a horse that got stiffed.
>
> After watching 6 straight Baffert horses run tops
> on Belmont day, and with there being no chance he
> was being entered as a rabbit, I used Restoring
> Hope heavily. Every dollar was thrown away.
After reading many of the statements about the ride, the main concern I have is with the statement from the owner of Restoring Hope -- West declined comment on whether Restoring Hope was used to block for Justify, who settled into a comfortable, unpressured advantage that he never relinquished.
“Everyone looks at things differently,” West said. “We didn’t belong in the race, anyway, and that is my fault.”
It appears to me that he is basically saying that since his horse did not belong in the race -- and presumably Baffert told him so -- that it is kind of OK if his horse was used in such a way to assist Baffert's other horse who definitely belonged in the race -- (even though this owner of Restoring Hope was never informed of the strategy). I think the word "anyway" tips that off. If they were coupled (same owners) the outcry would be fiercer. And, it seems like West's apparent feelings about the use of his horse -- to block -- are true.