Mike DID get the information and covered it with Kent. KD said if he did need to go inside he wouldn't stay there. Though the rail may not have been clinically dead, it was still the worst part of the track and he said if things had gone differently early, he'd have been on a better path. The early trouble is what cost SNS the opportunity to hit the board..

He was climbing and bouncing the first 3/16ths and was struggling with the footing. Then came the rest of the assorted hazards through the turn including losing the bit. Kent said that he then finally settled, got a hold of the track and went into the long, sustained drive. How he got through inside Keyed Entry I'll never know, but he tired thereafter and KD said he just had lost too much position early and Saint had worked too hard making it up...

Though many were quick to attack Desormeaux for the ride, the more you watch the race, the more evident it is that the pair did well to get ANY run in... It's too bad, because he was ready. I had the opportunity to make "the walk" from the backstretch to the paddock with Mike, Donnie, Ernesto, Juan and co-owner Ted Theos, and I was on track when Saint came back to be unsaddled. It was an incredible thrill.

Saint should be a big star. He has a huge personality, talent, and will be around for several years.. He'll get more than of his share of important wins. But it was tough to take Saturday even knowing that a better start would likely have only been good enough for a share. Trombetta and Co. are as great a group as I've ever been around on the backstretch.

And his other runner from Saturday (Fleet Valid) is one to follow. Breeder Eduardo Azpurua believes he has stakes ability. Ramon REALLY butchered that ride, and told Mike how sorry he was... The horse was 5 lengths best in that race.