[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Hypothetical Question - let's assume for a moment that Rosario's iron doesn't slip on Rock Your World at the break, Asmussen actually instructs Smith to go on Midnight Bourbon (the only chance the horse had, BTW) and now Medina Spirit is pressed on the lead the whole way, fades as expected in the stretch due to pace pressure, and finishes a faltering (and expected) 8th or 9th.

How would that affect the perspective? I'd venture a bet that this would be the biggest non-story since the last time he got caught.

Instead the racing world is upside-down over it because the horse won, thus the automatic assumption by the media and casual fans of the sport is that the horse won because of this overage, not because he was allowed to walk the whole way, against one of the most horrid fields in recent history.

Context would be helpful. And it would have been refreshing to see Lukas explain that, and why the perceived cause/effect is not accurate, rather than giving Baffert a pass and adding more fuel to the fire.

I agree with everything you said here Dan. I know we discussed the race lots that week and I did like Medina Spirit to have a shot especially if one of the other pace players didnt get out. While I don't think the horse won because of this Baffert continues to push the envelope dosing his horses. This drug does help with inflammation and is very useful after workouts for quick healing. There are rules to when its allowed to be given to keep everything fair. Its black and white in my eyes. Not to say he won by this but who is to say someone like Charlie if he had it a few days before the race doesnt close harder. Bafferts act is tiring and along with his excuses.