Baffert, McAnally & Co. on Zenyatta

[prudery]

Originally Posted by Revidere

Not sure Eddie would have the sampling since he rode Native Dancer once (American Derby) out of 22 starts.

I am aware of how many times Arcaro rode ND and in what race as I earlier stated, but there is much printed commentary about his feelings and experience that one time on board the horse.

Heady Eddie was never one to mince words anyway, and what oft came out may have been based on one experience only --like the one time he stated that he wanted to " kill " Vincent Nodarse when he fouled him ....

Sports writers of ND's era as well expressed the belief that ND cut his finishes fine and often made " work out of beating mules " ---the implication being that the horse was somewhat of an opinionated character and possibly a drama queen as well ....

That said, it is irrefutable that Arcaro did ride the horse to a win in the American Derby at Washington Park in 1953 and that Arcaro described hinself as a " passenger " in that race, the win dictated and orchestrated solely by the horse .

Period .