I dont blame him, but you said yourself you were not sure she could be closer and still finish. He never really gave her the chance to be closer. For a split second I thought she was pulled up right at the start. I could not believe she was that far back.

what did he do wrong. He got steadied at the Q pole following the wrong horse, he had to wheel her out and lose 5 lengths, he didnt put her into the race quick enough. He did a multitude of things wrong and she still ran through him and was beaten a zap to boot. You don't give a horse that much to overcome, I cannot believe she was in the photo. Nearly any other horse would have folded it up, certainly any in that field would never have made a race of it if they had to put in the work she did.

If you watch the replay he wanted her closer early. He's scrubbing on her when she begins to drop back early. He said she didn't react well to the dirt hitting her in the face. He also said even though she had dealt with it before at Oaklawn, they were small fields. As they rounded into the backstretch she caught up with the field.

He rode a nearly flawless race. I guess it's nice he decided to take the blame, but he deserves none of it. No excuses are necessary. She ran her race and she fell just short. That's what happens when you run against good fields.

Smith did nothing wrong. She is what she is. She looked like a drunk down the stretch at Santa Anita last year and was miles behind. Being way back was not that much of a detriment looking at the race again. Dakota Phone was miles back in the dirt mile and won a photo. She lost. Blame was better but she ran a really good race. Blame was going to get the jump on her regardless in this race. He did just enough.

He didn't steady and he certainly didn't lose 5 lengths. Watch the replay again. If he tries to circle, she gets beat even more. He did everything he could. She just wasn't good enough to get up.

She doesn't need lame excuses. She ran well. Don't tarnish it with the excuses.

Then you need to watch the race again horseofcourse. Try the overhead

Yeah he steadied, and it was probably 7 not 5

That's an excuse - also saying the dirt in her face. I'm wondering why he's showing up at the interivew with his helmet and goggles - it's to prove she got dirt in her face?!~

Someone on another topic, and I can't find it, said Mike did nothing to warm up Zenyatta before the race. Too much PR and maybe not enough preparation? I think she should have done some of her works at CD instead of shipping her in a couple days before the race.

There are no excuses. She was valiant in defeat, Mike rode a very good ride (in my opinion). She lost. It's as simple as that. Shouda, woulda, coulda, and ifs just don't cut it.

Make it 15 while you are at it.

Get a clue bud

Can you please add Zenyatta and Rock Hard Joey to your list of horses you love in your avatar.... It would make me feel much better.

Did I really just read someone say that Zenyatta had 7 lengths of trouble?

How about if I put you on IGNORE. Wassamatter, can't deal with a difference of opinion?

Hoss said 15...

It was just an idea... A good one, but clearly you disagree.

What cost her was the start more than anything, she almost lost contact with the field to I guess not being used to getting kickback in her face from racing on synth's almost her entire career, the slight steady was more of an inconvenience that cost her momentum. When the difference is a head, she was simply not good enough to overcome it to a horse as good as Blame at CD, one thing we can be certain of from yesterday's race, Blame and Zenyatta were 3+ better than the rest of the field. Great race by both, no disgrace winning it or finishing 2nd, I keep hearing this was a brutal field but in all due respect this was the best dirt fields we have had in the past 2 years.

he was being facetious.

and yes, ateam, the bid says zenyatta had 7 lengths of trouble.

Take your own advice guy.

That really isn't saying much.

she didn't get much kick back, she wasn't close enough to experience it for much of the race.

a couple of horses were decent, but some of them were distance limited. the bulk of the field sucked.

Yup, I disagree. I've never been a Zenyatta fan because of her woosie owners and trainer. But, her performance yesterday was probably the best in her career- even in defeat. It doesn't make me a goo goo zentard to say that.

You dont have a clue what you are talking about. Why dont you just read and learn something you jerkoff. She lost contact early. There is no horse running today thats in a photo w/ a horse like blame after that alone. Not to mention steading her when he was just getting her best run. Anytime you are beat a nose, there is some point in the race you could have done things differently and changed the outcome. SHe was visually the best horse and I dont see how anybody can argue that. Blame had a great ride, perfect trip and ran a wonderful race. He wasn't the best horse, but he will be, and should be HOY.

I'm really trying to be rational with the discussion here with you, so please help me out here because I really want to understand this. But why wasn't this brought up with the discussion regarding Rachel's win in the Woodward field when all of a sudden it matters this year? I think anyone would agree this BC field was far better than the one she faced in the Woodward.

Yeah, but to say that she was 5-7 lengths better is ridiculous.

Math, how many do you think she spotted them off mild pace. Honestly. She was 2-1 to blame the last 200 yards. Horses aren't supposed to come to you after the kind of trip she recieved. If anything that really debunks the figure guys who said shes too slow. She simply goes after whatever is in front of her. There is no horse running that makes a race of that after that opening quarter.

There is more kickback on dirt. I know, neither are great...I remember that quote of yours succinctly.

It would help if you quoted the person to whom you are responding.

Just sayin'.....:)

But what makes you think that she would have has enough to make her run if she was closer to the pace? Doesn't that come into play?

You said she lost 7 lengths at the quarter pole and I don't have a clue? Pretty funny stuff. You're making excuses. No need to. She ran her race. It wasn't enough to win. Life goes on.

Mild pace? Are you serious? The race completely collapsed in front of her. She ran well, but she ran the race she always runs. Like I said in the other thread, if they weren't busy talking about her f'ing dance moves all year, maybe they could've put some more speed into her for a race like this.

DrugS called this the other day. He said she'd have to run way faster early than she ever had before to stay close and that that would probably have taken the starch out of her. They went the other way with her. She's a one run closer, she made that one run and she came up short. She still ran very well, but enough with the excuses.

Can we not call each other bud and guy... Its so 2 years ago,dudes...

It may have taken a little punch outta her run being closer, but she wouldn't have needed that same punch had she been closer. She was never on even terms with Blame. Even after the wire she pulled up so quickly she had given everything she had. Gomez rode a flawless race, and Blame needed a flawless race to beat that champion. Mike Smith, he made a few mistakes and that cost her the race, HOY

She was the best horse in the race?

Are you chairman of the Buffalo Bills fan club?

She was the best horse in the race. YOu watch a lot of races. HOw can you watch that objectively and say she wasn't

Your not the only one who thinks this... Capital Otb, all morning everyone thought this.

Simmer, puppy. You're getting overexcited.

How is being closer to a meltdown pace a worse trip?

The second tier of horses, blame especially, had a dream trip, comfortable fractions. Blame is supposed to finish up well, hes a champion, he did. Zenyatta is not supposed to make that a picture.

I thought Blame was the better horse and, it sickens me to say this, had a much tougher campaign.

The results yesterday are accurate. Mrs. and Mrs. Moss got what they deserved. Now they can "What If" the rest of their lives. Maybe if they have the good fortune of getting another great horse in the barn they won't be such chicken s.hits and take some more chances with it.

Based on what? Fly Down was third and second to last early.