twoshoes wrote:

> Right again and I'm not arguing. But they don't often play them
> for 2 Mil. and it ain't really the same thing. I didn't have
> this one nor did it cost me. I was rooting for them to let it
> stand - Motion and Dominguez seem good guys and BTN was best on
> this course this day - but it was a foul, and I don't want the
> Stewards doing their imitation of the Amazing Creskin the next
> time they are trying to decide where my horse would have
> finished after he was fouled. They are better off ruling if
> there was interference and in this case there was - clearly.
> Magistretti was beaten about 2 lengths for third. Probably
> didn't make a difference but it might have. Powerscourt was
> clear and in full flight while Magistretti was being taken up.
> If you don't think that accounts for two lengths you may be
> right but we'll never know for sure. That's the point.
>

Twoshoes, to quote:

"The Texas rules of racing are explicit. They say, "A horse may not interfere with or cause another horse to lose stride, lose ground or lose positiion in a part of the race where the horse interfered with loses the opportunity to place where the horse might be reasonably expected to finish."

Better Talk Now, was moving best at the end, but he did impede two other horses at that critical juncture. I agree with you that its delving into the world of subjectivity to conclude the finishing positions would not have been altered without the foul. I can't say with any certainty that the fouls didn't prevent Magestretti from getting third (Prado said it did) or Kitten's from winning. (Velasquez said it cost him the win) They were fouls in a very questionable spot and that is enough for me. Shack may score but he can't go through defenders with position to do so.

Better Talk Now should have been disqualified to fourth. Its water under the bridge, but I believe Texas racing and its stewards have demonstrated that they can't be entrusted with a responsibility as big as the Breeders Cup.

CtC



Post Edited (11-01-04 15:29)