It's not surprising that people who don't know the sport would agree with him because when you just hear one side of the argument about one aspect of something, you're probably going to think the argument makes sense. If you don't know the facts of a case and you just listen to the defense attorney's arguments for a couple of minutes (without hearing the prosecution's case), it will sound like the defendant has a great case.

The truth of the matter is that fresh horses do have an advantage. So what? An owner has a right to get to a race any way he wants. Nobody has the right to dictate to an owner what races his horse has to run in. Each individual TC race is a huge race. Each race has top horses and fresh horses. That is one of the reasons that each race is tough to win.

As others have said, can you imagine if the rules were the way that Coburn wants them to be? The Belmont would be a 3 horse field every year. This year it would have been a 3 horses field with CC, General A Rod, and Ride on Curlin. To have Belmonts like that, it wouldn't even be a big deal to win the TC.

So it is true that CC was at a disadvantage compared to the fresher horses but that is the way it should be. That is one of the reasons that winning the TC is so elusive and why winning the TC is such a huge accomplishment. You have to take on all comers. That is the way it should be.

If you simply go up to a novice without putting things in context and ask him if he thinks it's fair that CC ran in all the races and the other horses didn't, the guy will probably say that it's not fair. But then if you explain all the facts to the person, he will probably change his mind.

By making his half-baked comments, Coburn may have unknowingly done a favor for those who want the Triple Crown to remain as is. For at least this year anyway, a decision to move the Belmont to later in June would be viewed by the non-racing media as a reaction to what Coburn said. They might even think the idea originated with Coburn himself. Of course, a discussion about altering the timing seems to arise each time a Triple Crown bid is foiled, but since when has public perception in regards to racing been guided by facts.

he said he's sorry....blah blah...leave the old coot alone.

Probably the best advice.....................just very depressing to hear the "cheaters" and "cowards" comments, even in the heat of the moment. Unfortunately, a bunch of non-racing people hear that stuff and he does the game no justice by ranting. Apology, accepted.............. but please show more class in the future and respect history. I'm actually more offended by the comment of "I wanted to win this race for the people of America" ........and exactly how would that have benefited "the people of America"? Hard to throw stones when I haven't been in that situation but his wife appears to have been pretty well grounded during this whole situation. Hope the horse comes out of this well and we can see him again. But keep the mic out of his face. I shudder to think what nonsense would come out of his mouth if Chrome would win the Breeders Cup Classic.

dumbass is as dumbass does

His true feelings were revealed Sunday morning after a night to think about it and get input from his camp. His apology was nothing more then a weak attempt at damage control . Guy is a self absorbed clown who felt entitled to his Triple crown.

Agree. His apology should have been Sunday..Believe his wife demanded it, as you said for damage control.

Totally agree with last 2 posts. Saturday, I understand heat of the moment but not classy. Sunday, true feelings guy is basically just an ass. The handicapped kid analogy will go down as one of the worst ever. Monday apology was forced because everyone telling him he is an embarrassment to co-owner, horse, jockey, and racing in general.

Well put, and I agree with almost all of it. While I think the proposal is ridiculous, I do think we'd end up with a few more than 3 horses that would run in all 3 races, at least for the first few years. The chance at running 2nd or 3rd in the Belmont Stakes, and the considerable prize money, would probably lure more than 3 Derby/Preakness runners. But after a few years of a having a TC winner every other year, the prestige of both the TC and the Belmont would drop and maybe then there would be just 3-horse fields in the Belmont.

--Dunbar