Man, I can't believe I'm defending him, but here goes!

I have no problem concerning this IF it occurs before betting has started. This has been going on for years! Best (albiet alleged) example?

Spectacular Bid's "walkover" in the Woodward stakes. The race had few entries, wet track the night before, leaving one challanger (Winter's Tale) It has been said that either NYRA OR the Meyerhoffs "encouraged" the last scratch as they did not want a match race (Ruffian's tragedy was too fresh!)

I have a bigger problem with claiming circles that either don't claim from each other, or if they do, don't hurt 'em during the race!

Someone ought to keep track of how many beaten favorites run off the board, then AFTER the race, we find out it was claimed!