| Merlinsky |
05-05-2011 05:21 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by tanner12oz
(Post 774178)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...0,7821163.story
Excerpt:
But Baffert still couldn't resist saying a few things people may deem controversial, including that he isn't quite buying the mysterious gastrointestinal illness that has supposedly stricken Uncle Mo in recent weeks. Uncle Mo, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt who was an undefeated juvenile champion, is still not guaranteed to run Saturday.
"Uncle Mo looks fantastic out there to me," Baffert said. "He's the best horse in the race. I don't care what rumors you hear. You can't throw him out. He's looked great to me. Everyone is talking about him being 50/50. I think [owner Mike Repole] is just trying to build a price for himself because it sounds like he likes to gamble. He's going to be dangerous. I don't think it's some [gastrointestinal issue], I think he just got tired at the Wood [Memorial]. From what I've seen visually, there is nothing there that tells me the horse isn't ready to run. I'm not buying that crap. He's just trying to steal this race."
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Add this website to ones you can't access in a public library. I guess the Baltimore Sun is gonna turn us all into degenerates.
Unlike Baffert, I wouldn't go so far as to say he didn't have a GI tract infection. I've had a variation of that--my legs were jelly for days. I can only imagine what it's like for an animal expending that much effort and going 1 1/8. It's nothing short of a miracle he finished 3rd. Things didn't look right in the Wood for the entirety of the race. I do think Repole's messing around, although I'm not clear how to take it. Could relate to odds, straight up concern for the horse not being ready, mind games with opponents and the media...
The odds remark by Baffert makes sense up to a point, but if it's true, I'm not sure it's the best year to pull that kind of thing. They won't go too high just because there's enough confusion about the other horses, some people are just gonna go 'you know what? I'd rather chance Mo running back to form than bet on someone I don't think is as good as Mo's best on their best day.' Haskin put him at #1 on the Derby Dozen again partly because of that. Repole's whole 'I'm gonna make him the favorite' thing sounded like hyperbole. If Mo does go, and he's confident in him, obviously he'll bet a lot. |
