Quote:
Originally Posted by Calzone Lord
I doubt you can blame the jockey for a 19 length defeat...or a nose strip for that matter. Or even the wet race track.
It looked like a classic "non effort" and those type of performances are often associated with a physical issue. Especially when a long layoff comes next.
O'Neill has signs plastered on his stable wall that say "what happens in this stable, stays in this stable" ... so you never know much of anything for sure. I'll Have Another got Shock Wave therapy for his back. Maybe his back was bothering him in the Hopeful ... who knows, but it was such an untrue performance that it most likely was something physical.
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You could be right about the non-effort/physical issue. But take a look at recent PP's of triple crown/stakes runners and look at their worst performances, you will see Frenchy aboard for many of those non-efforts... could be coincidence, although I think not.