5/5: Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby Day)

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by golfer

Surprised there has been no mention here (as far as I can see) about the curious way this race was run. On paper, while I believed Little Mike would lead the way, the presence of Get Stormy and Turbo Compressor should have ensured at the very least a legitimate, if not super fast pace. It seems Dominguez and Bejarano had other ideas. Their surprising tactical decision did not help their mounts, who finished 9th and 8th respectively, nor did it help any of the closers in the race (obviously), or most people who handicapped the race. It did help Little Mike.

I happened to catch Brad Thomas on the Meadowlands feed, LAMBASTE (my word) the jocks in question, calling the tactics "bad for the game". He also said stewards should met out punishment in situation like this. I thought that was refreshingly honest for him to say what many of us were thinking.

The two were a combined 16 wins from 39 starts, and save TC's maiden breaker, every single one of them occurred on the lead - neither of them have ever passed a horse (to be fair, Get Stormy laid 2nd within a length to the half on one or two occasions).

The notion that both of these jocks would decide to take back, on one of racing's biggest days, certainly needs to be construed.

It's difficult not to sound like sour grapes, but it gives the sport another black eye without an explanation - you know, they send reporters on horseback to interview the winner, why not send one to find out why Ramon and Raffie stiffed their mounts?

I had a houseful of people, many not involved with the game, but one friend had shown interest in learning basic handicapping. He asked me why Little Mike was going off at 12-1 when he looked like he could legitimately win.. I explained the need for the other 2 to need the lead as well, and that the 3 of them would cook themselves, hence the value price, and why horses that come from off the pace were considered more likely.

He bet, against the 1, then ask why they didn't go, shook his head and said, "this is why I don't go to the track - these jocks are in cahoots with each other - Dominguez and Bejarano had money on the 1"

If that's the public perception, and certainly not an illogical conclusion to draw, why would the stewards not investigate - or at least sit them down for an explanation? Bejarano can probably get away with saying TC didn't care for the looser footing, Dominguez, not so much - he has made the lead in all but 2 of starts over a turf course that was graded as "other than firm"