I wish I watched at least one soap opera—General Hospital, One Life to Live, whatever—so that I could compare characters in Triple Crown 2009 to Susan Lucci, but alas, I have no soap opera knowledge.
We've talked at work before about the possibility that one year someone would enter horses in the Kentucky Derby for the purpose of keeping other horses out. For instance, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum could have improved the chances of Desert Party and Regal Ransom this year by entering Midshipman and Vineyard Haven with the intention of scratching them, thus keeping two other horses out of the gate. He didn't, of course, and I don't know that the situation has ever occurred in a classic race until possibly now.
I'm not thrilled with the prospect of owners entering horses to keep others out. I hesitated to say, "entering horses with no intention to win" because the practice of entering a rabbit doesn't offend me. All this sanctimonious talk about doing it for the good of the sport and for the good of the breed doesn't wash with me. If they were honest I think we'd hear one of two reasons for this arrangement:
- They want to improve their chances of winning. Rachel Alexandra is the best thing going right now, and the Derby-winning jockey took off that mount to ride her. Mine That Bird co-owner Mark Allen said, "I just want my jock back." If I were Calvin, I'd have to think about keeping the mount on Mine That Bird knowing that the owners forced out the horse he wanted to ride. If I'm Allen, I'd seriously have to think about keeping Borel given the crappy ride Gomez gave Hard Spun after his connections did not give him permission to ride Rags to Riches in the 2007 Belmont.
- Jess Jackson isn't the most loved man in the game. Would other owners be doing this to Farish? Phipps? I doubt it.
- It's all a publicity stunt. Zayat, Allen, etc. get some extra attention for the horses and the race itself.
It's not cheating but it's not really fair either. Outside of creating a rule limiting the number of entrants an owner might submit, there's nothing much that can be done.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I'd rather watch RA win the ladies' races and then beat the boys at their own game in the BCC!
Danthebluegrassman was a late scratch by Baffert, Derby 128 - 2002. No one could prove it but we all thought he did it to keep Windward Passage out so War Emblem could go to the lead. Baffert said the horse worked bad or something.
ReplyDelete