Tapit (509 Views)
Posted by:
Chuckles_the_Clown2 (IP Logged)
Date: April 22, 2004 02:40PM
I don't know. I'm with TGJB generally on BI/BO its not a good thing for an "experienced" horse. When I saw Tapit's stretch drive I was convinced he had a serious problem. He was all over the track. Tapit bolts towards the rail the last two strides. You can't even see it unless you see the head on. Then someone said "He did it in the Futurity too" and I heard the connections say he had a crowd issue.
TJGB you may have more insight into Tapits physical status than you're lettin on. Theres something else. Although connections may not tell the truth about a horses little nicks and what the horse has to overcome, I can't say that I've seen trainers behave like presidents and engage in a purposeful fraud to fool the public. Tapits connections are behaving like Tapit has a crowd issue:
"Sitting in the backseat with a couple of reporters while his assistant Joan Wakefield drove, Dickinson screamed, "Oh, no, they're too [bleeping] close," referring to the photographers.
At that moment, Dominguez pulled out the whip from his back pocket in anticipation of any sudden move Tapit might make. But, Tapit stayed focused on his task and completed the move without incident.
"That should get him used to looking at a crowd," Dickinson said.
Said Dominguez: "A furlong before I got to all the reporters he kind of looked at them, but he never stopped running at all, never overreacted by any means. I thought he handled it very well."":
http://www.drf.com/tc/trail/2004/news.html
Maybe Dickenson doesn't know its a physical thing and not a crowd thing. I don't know, I state that seriously. Maybe he's fooling himself.
I watched the race again. The Jock snatches Tapits reigns in with his right hand first to pull him from behind the horse he initally bears in behind...he does it again and then gathers the reign in his right hand and he's the one pulling Tapits head. All that did result in loss of momentum and it may been more than a length. Tapit bolts to the rail as soon as the Jock eases the restraint from going left. I'm embarrassed I let what trainers and connections say influence my ability to ascertain. He wasn't at the top of my list anyway, but I won't be as scared now.
thx tjgb
Post Edited (04-22-04 14:58)