"it's real easy to look back in retrospect and second guess every time some sale wins the derby, but how many horses get sold at a big price and don't do jack?"

Oh, you must be referring to Buckle Down Ben and the five million Saudi purchase that was trained in the Desert and caved the last quarter mile. The only other "late" purchase I can recall winning the Derby was Lil E. Tee, a horse I saw win his first two races and talked to friends about organizing a partnership to acquire. Oh well, Lil E Tee still treated me very well on Derby Day. When I heard W.E. was sold I thought...well anywhere from 4 - 8 million.

"springer said that every day he checked on him in the barn might have been the day when they had to stop on him"

Maybe that Illinois Derby mile mark in 1:37:3 with a 24:3 fourth quarter was a sign for Frank. Or maybe that "ridden out" last eighth in 12:1 told him the stopping time was soon. I knew about these things when I bet the Derby. If W.E. has problems one thing is certain now and was certain then, he's running through them. How bad is it? I don't really know, but I don't think Frank did either. Maybe he was too busy with his other Triple Crown nominees. W.E. could go lame any day I suppose, but I think Baffert knows.

"let us know after the race, when you've made up your mind."

I'm on a quest this year freaky. The "Triple-Tri-Crown." I can honestly say I've never won it before. But like War Emblem after two legs I've got a shot to do it. I really feel like I got the three year olds by the tail this year. That I know which is best and which is second best and which is third best and which is fourth best. I think I know which will get the 12 marks and which will weaken. I think that only quirk surfaces I don't pick up on, form reversals and injuries can deny me. I think I'll win the Triple Crown with or without War Emblem. Usually, I don't share. Though if I made an exception it wouldn't be for Raggies.
But, I'll consider finding a way to let you know with certainty that I did win it...lol.

"as for the sale, I believe russell's business was bleeding badly, and he needed the cash.
there were other lookers, but no takers, so I guess they were as 'dumb' as russell.
the fact is, he could have sold the horse a lot quicker, and for a lot more w/o the bone chips --- but that's horse racing."

Yeah its how "Skippy" cost only 20K. Sonny didn't know a horse either. Russell is in the Steel Business. I'm sure it has its down side. I'll never live to be 85, but if I did I'd shut my mouth, not cause any distractions and hope to get my 10% 500K share of the bonus money. I'm not saying Russell's antics can really interfere with Baffert and Espinoza. But there is zen in this thing and you don't mess with the horseracing gods. Russell ought to be ecstatic. His trainer said he wasn't going to the dance. With Baffert leading potentially he could pick up an additional 600K.