Pletcher to have no horses in the Travers

[ELA]

Originally Posted by Cardus

After the great "should Street Sense run in the Belmont Stakes" debate, I've tried to get out of the "(fill-in-the-blank)" should run in such and such a race. Question for you: has there been an instance in which you thought it was BS for a trainer to skip a race?

Great question -- very thought provoking, just in me having to think about giving you an answer. I really tend not to "worry" about other people's business, decisions, etc. -- I concentrate and have enough of my own, LOL. You make an excellent point with regard to the Street Sense debate; although I never viewed it has a debate. I didn't have a problem with the Nafzger/Tafel decision. Sure, like everyone, I would have loved to see him run. However, as I mentioned, I thought it was ludicrous to call them names or to say they don't care about the game, business or sport. I tought it nonsense to criticize them and their decision and say they are not "sporstmen" or anything of the like.

Be that as it may, although I can't think of the specific instance, I am sure there has been a case where my initial thought might have been that it was BS for a trainer to skip a race. But it's their decision. And if I did feel that way, it would have been myopic as well, due to the fact that it's his/her decision and I would have been completely unaware of the facts, circumstances, etc. Am I qualified to make such a decision? No, and I don't think many others are qualified as well.

I make my decisions based upon the input, advice, guidance, etc. from my own advisors -- primarily the trainer in question. If I don't trust that trainer, or his recommendation, then I have a much bigger problem.

Eric