The Worst DQ Ever

[Rupert Pupkin]

There is one more point I forgot to mention with regard to the DQ on Saturday at Golden Gate. If you watch carefully, you will notice that Jockey Frank Alvarado (who was on Preemptory) looks over his shoulder (actually under his arm) to check to make sure he has clearance before the incident happens. He heard the jocks yelling (they were yelling at Jockey Couton) even before the main incident happened. They were yelling at Couton (who was riding #1a Moreland) becasue his horse was lugging in and crowding both Justyourimagination (#1) and Turbulence (#5). As you can clearly see, Moreland bumped Justyourimagination a few times before the main incident ocurred.

Anyway, when Alvarado heard all the yelling, he looked under his arm to look behind and see what was going on. He wanted to make sure he was clear and he was. This was a couple of seconds before the main incident.

I talked to Alvarado's agent. He said that he and Frankie were both absolutely "dumbfounded" by the DQ. He said that Frankie looked behind to make sure he was clear and you can clearly see this on the video.

To say trainer Steve Specht was livid would be an understatement. He went to the stewards office the next morning and spent over a half hour in there lambasting them over the decision.