it's having a set of BALLS!!!!

Thats pretty funny, who knew it was that easy to be a great rider. You have to wonder if thats all it is why Calvin has struggled to be more then a journeyman rider in KY. He is not even the big fish in a small pond with his great style, or "balls" as you put it.

The difference may be that SS was a.) not sound and b.) a colt, with a stud value to protect. It looks like MTB will be Belmont bound and I cannot see RA running back.

I dont think her owner can pass up the chance to be in the spot light, he craves this I believe.

I can see the connections taking Mike Smith off if Borel is available. But if RA goes to the Belmont, I don't see why they'd take him off. He did a pretty decent job today. I was actually really surprised when they first announced he was their second choice if they couldn't have Borel. MTB really thrived under that classic Calvin Bo-Rail ride in the Derby. Now, I LIKE Mike Smith,,,, but he seems like the complete opposite of Calvin. They're just lucky he didn't take The Mike Smith Path to the wire! Or maybe that's just a Derby thing for him?:D

I would guess that Rachel Alexandra does not run back and that Mine That Bird does. As a gelding and in the form that he is in right now, I would think they would take a shot at the Belmont and then lay him off for a couple of months. I am not a big Smith fan, but I didn't see anything wrong with his ride today, he just got beat by a better horse at 1 3/16 miles today.

Excuse me I'm coming thru. Beep Beep.:zz:

What race did you watch Mr Big Balls.:zz:

I agree with this assessment, nothing wrong with the ride. Really it was quite straight fwd, from the 2 post take him back to last, save as much ground as you can, make one run and finish well. A great ride was Borel's ride in the derby, I don't agree that Smith did anything extraordinary to win the race today, it was a good ride, if he didn't check MTB at the top of the stretch and found a way to save just a little more ground he may have even gotten into the photo with RA, then it may have been a great ride.

If Jackson runs RA in the Belmont, he should commit himself to Bellevue! Only an IDIOT would run her in that spot!

why?

Seems like easy money and all but wraps up horse of the year.....and like I said, Jess Jackson loves the spotlight, dont think he wants to pass it up.

It would be good for racing, ratings will be up 25% even in a non triple crown year.

not a gd thing.

Mike Smith gave a better ride today than Borel could have.

Today's race proved, once again, that horses win races and not riders.

For sure . The first 2 legs of the Triple Crown this year have been incredibly exciting and full of surprises . Horse racing at it's best I'd have to say .

Why? Because it's better for racing, better for being in the spotlight, and better for easy money if Jackson sits one out and keeps her healthy for the rest of the year, including the Travers and BC Classic.

If I can find a prop on which horse goes to the Belmont, MTB or RA, I'd bet a good fraction of my bankroll on MTB.

--Dunbar

Riders lose races on good horses though.;)

jess jacksons ego will make r.a go to the belmont imo

I think so too.

they said all along that the intent was to do well in the derby and then head to ny, where the sire won. if mtb came out of yesterday ok, i see no reason for them to skip it.
as for the ride, when you're on a one run closer, traffic can and will be an issue. he benefitted from an empty rail two weeks back-smith had to know it wouldn't be quite so easy to do the same thing. others like the rail as well.

i must be an idiot. cause if she's doing well off her two big efforts, i'd run her. either that, or if she seems to need a break, i'd head for 'toga and the travers with her.