bellsbendboy Wrote:
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> "Dude" was retired because BB thought he had the
> Classic winner in his barn, although calling
> Bayern a "common sort" may indicate a bit of bias
> on your part. bbb

"He ran a great race in the Pacific Classic, but it's gotten to the point where there is always going to be some horse who is going to be sacrificed by running with him and forcing him into ridiculous fractions, as was the case at Del Mar," Baffert said. "It's starting to wear on him a little bit to the point where it's not fun for him anymore. We always felt if he couldn't compete at the grade I level and wasn't enjoying what he was doing, it would be time to retire him."
-Bob Baffert on Game On Dude's retirement.

This is why he was retired and not because of any other reason. And, Baffert does not own the horses. You are saying a trainer had the authority to retire someone's horse (a very successful multiple Grade 1 winner) to accommodate another horse that he trains and does not own? No.

What I said was they are similar because they have never shown any ability to pass another horse. This comment is relevant to the BC race because the only other early pace horse (Moreno) was completely violated and taken out of the race. If Moreno got the early lead I don't think Bayern could pass him based on many previous races. That is why Garcia was hell-bent to get the lead at any cost. It is also relevant because that is why Game On Dude was retired (according to Baffert).

Both horses are superbly talented -- but they must have things their own way because they cannot pass other horses -- opinion based only on their race performances and no bias toward Baffert or his horses.