You can't win them all. Sometimes you lose them big and all you can do is take solace in where you were right.

Edward Sexton, the manager of George Steinbrenner's Kinsman Stable went on the record telling the press that Bellamania would show even better in the Kentucky Derby than he did in the Wood. (Apparently Mr. Sexton is not up upon what are considered to be the performance limits in the modern horse.)

During the saddling of Bellamania Mr. Sexton was asked some live questions by Bob Neumeyer (sic) but declined to comment, mumbling something in an Irish accent that sounded very much like:

"mmmm...ahhh...da horse ummmmmmm......errrrrr......guiness...ah can na talk....da horse"

Neumeyer commented that it was rare for an individual in the business to not be loquacious with the press.

Well, hessssss Baaaaaaaaack!

Apparently Mr. Sexton has retrieved his tongue from the Cat and is talking in glamourous terms of Bellamania again:

Sexton said the injury affected Bellamy Road's performance.

"The horse that was supposed to win the Derby didn't win," Sexton said. "If the horse (Bellamy Road) was 100 percent, there would have been the right winner. He's a super horse. He's a champion, and he'll be back, bigger, better and bolder."

Anyone getting the vibes that the retirment is weeks away? Some horses run right through minor injuries and Champions that can't handle a pace rate off of it. Probably helps if they have an easier way of moving over ground though.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28082