Bailey vs. Azeri

King Glorious · #1 09-18-2007, 05:38 PM

I am in agreement with both sides. Bailey conceded the race alright. He just didn't concede it to Azeri. He did everything in his power to make sure that his own filly wouldn't win though and to me, that's not professional. In my opinion, u are supposed to do what u can in order to give your horse it's best chance to win. Sure, in this instance, it was to go to the lead because that was Roar Emotion's running style and trying to take her back and making her chase Azeri would have been giving up too. But I would have expected a veteran hall of famer like Bailey to slow it down a little. By going that fast, it was pretty obvious that he was deciding that he didn't care where his horse finished, just so long as Azeri didn't win. It reminded me of when Woody Stephens sacrificed Forty Niner in the 1988 Preakness by telling Day that his only job was to make sure Winning Colors didn't win, his own chances be damned.

At the same time, Day is also a hall of famer and should have adjusted better to what was unfolding in front of him. My opinion is that it was unprofessional what Bailey did and stupid what Day did. Azeri's greatness was shown by the way she nearly overcame both obstacles to win.

King Glorious · #2 09-18-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

I recall Stevens saying, "We might finish last, but she'll be next to last" (or the opposite).

Yeah, something like that. Totally classless to sacrifice a horse that could have conceivably won the race just because he was mad that a filly had won.

eajinabi · #3 09-18-2007, 06:45 PM

OMG. Roar Emotion had no chance of contending in that race regardless. It was a five horse field so the conections got a paycheck nonetheless. Pat Day
was a fool to chase a wicked pace and Storm Flag Flying just benifited from that. A seven time eclipse winning jockey does not sacrifice his horse to prevent others from losing.

Merlinsky · #4 09-18-2007, 07:15 PM

Bailey's said it himself, the best jockeys are the ones that can ride two horses at the same time. Their horse and the other guy's. He was "riding" Azeri as it were and I'm sure he tried to every time he faced her. 9 times out of 10 she still beats him because she's just that good.

hoovesupsideyourhead · #5 09-18-2007, 07:50 PM

http://www.winwithjerry.com/

Indian Charlie · #6 09-18-2007, 07:53 PM

http://www.iAmaWhore.com

The Indomitable DrugS · #7 09-18-2007, 08:02 PM

I heard Vic Stauffer posts here........

For people who didn't get to follow Azeri through her career....

She had the speed of <S>Ruffian</S> Pool Land
The heart of <S>Lady's Secret</S> Critical Eye
And the class of <S>Personal Ensign</S> Heritage of Gold

And unlike Heritage of Gold - her acronym wasn't HOG.

10 pnt move up · #8 09-18-2007, 08:40 PM

I think it was a silly ride by both riders. Speed horse or not why was he going in 109, and why was Day pushing the pace on a mare that easily could be taken in hand?

Cannon Shell · #9 09-18-2007, 08:59 PM

Bailey tried to win the race, period. He knew he had one chance to win and that was to wire them. If anyone is at fault it would be Pat Day who pressed the pace even though it obviously was fast. What was Bailey supposed to do? Shout over to Day, "Hey Pat I'm gonna slow it down a little. Please dont pass me."? Watch the race and tell me where the opportunity was for him to back the pace up?

And Justin you must not be too old because Azeri, while a good horse, was not in the same class as many of the good filliy and mares of the 80's like Lady's Secret, Winning Colors, Personal Ensign, Go for Wand, Bayakoa.....