Insane pace cooked a lot of them. Changed the complexion of the entire race. Even Joel got sucked in. Flying mud didn't help.

Wasn't Mine That Bird out of a Smart Strike mare? Didn't his sire excel at a mile and a quarter? Raced on poly? Sound familiar?

I sure as hell didn't have the winner. But unusual things are supposed to happen when we get a race like that. I love it. Can't stop watching the replay.

A great race call too. "OH MY GOODNESS" - legendary. Collmus picked up the winner late, sure, but Durkin didn't mention Mine That Bird until he was in front by 5. You can't focus on 80-1 shots in 20 horse fields, not when they're way back.