California Chrome's owner just blew any goodwill.

[Dawgswin]

Just in case anyone is still interested, here's a link to a better quality version of Coburn's original comments. Looking back on it now after a couple of days I can understand why people thought it was a bit over the top:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuH7FC3R_mo

[Antitrust32]

So Steve Coburn's rant following the Belmont Stakes was very interesting to me. Not because he is right, because he is not right... he's not even close to being right and his entire premise goes against the history and elusiveness of Horse Racing's greatest honor... to win the Triple Crown. What was interesting is that many very casual followers of the sport (non-bettors and people who only watch the Derby or a Belmont if the Triple Crown is on the line) actually agreed with Steve Coburn's opinion. It is telling how people can hear a soundbite and run with it as fact, even though the opinion was not based in any history or education of the sport, it was purely a baseless opinion from someone who was being a bit of a sore loser and has had a TON of luck in the racing business. I assume this happens throughout humanity on many different levels and topics (especially politics), people run with or support an uneducated idea because the soundbite captured their attention.

[Rudeboyelvis]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

So Steve Coburn's rant following the Belmont Stakes was very interesting to me. Not because he is right, because he is not right... he's not even close to being right and his entire premise goes against the history and elusiveness of Horse Racing's greatest honor... to win the Triple Crown. What was interesting is that many very casual followers of the sport (non-bettors and people who only watch the Derby or a Belmont if the Triple Crown is on the line) actually agreed with Steve Coburn's opinion. It is telling how people can hear a soundbite and run with it as fact, even though the opinion was not based in any history or education of the sport, it was purely a baseless opinion from someone who was being a bit of a sore loser and has had a TON of luck in the racing business. I assume this happens throughout humanity on many different levels and topics (especially politics), people run with or support an uneducated idea because the soundbite captured their attention.

Had a houseful (neighbors / friends) all of whom know absolutely nothing about horse racing all say the same thing - They we flabbergasted that a "horse was allowed to race" in the Belmont without having to "qualify" by running in one of the other two TC races. The discussion came about even before Colburn expressed his opinion.

First question - Where did Tonalist and Commissioner finish in the Derby"

Me - "They haven't run in either of the two previous TC races"

Response - WTF??!! Seriously??!! That makes no sense. How is that fair? This sport has some stupid rules.

Me - "Whatever". "Go home".

[TheSpyder]

On NBC Nightly News in one minute

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

So Steve Coburn's rant following the Belmont Stakes was very interesting to me. Not because he is right, because he is not right... he's not even close to being right and his entire premise goes against the history and elusiveness of Horse Racing's greatest honor... to win the Triple Crown. What was interesting is that many very casual followers of the sport (non-bettors and people who only watch the Derby or a Belmont if the Triple Crown is on the line) actually agreed with Steve Coburn's opinion. It is telling how people can hear a soundbite and run with it as fact, even though the opinion was not based in any history or education of the sport, it was purely a baseless opinion from someone who was being a bit of a sore loser and has had a TON of luck in the racing business. I assume this happens throughout humanity on many different levels and topics (especially politics), people run with or support an uneducated idea because the soundbite captured their attention.

It's not surprising that people who don't know the sport would agree with him because when you just hear one side of the argument about one aspect of something, you're probably going to think the argument makes sense. If you don't know the facts of a case and you just listen to the defense attorney's arguments for a couple of minutes (without hearing the prosecution's case), it will sound like the defendant has a great case.

The truth of the matter is that fresh horses do have an advantage. So what? An owner has a right to get to a race any way he wants. Nobody has the right to dictate to an owner what races his horse has to run in. Each individual TC race is a huge race. Each race has top horses and fresh horses. That is one of the reasons that each race is tough to win.

As others have said, can you imagine if the rules were the way that Coburn wants them to be? The Belmont would be a 3 horse field every year. This year it would have been a 3 horses field with CC, General A Rod, and Ride on Curlin. To have Belmonts like that, it wouldn't even be a big deal to win the TC.

So it is true that CC was at a disadvantage compared to the fresher horses but that is the way it should be. That is one of the reasons that winning the TC is so elusive and why winning the TC is such a huge accomplishment. You have to take on all comers. That is the way it should be.

If you simply go up to a novice without putting things in context and ask him if he thinks it's fair that CC ran in all the races and the other horses didn't, the guy will probably say that it's not fair. But then if you explain all the facts to the person, he will probably change his mind.

[DaTruth]

By making his half-baked comments, Coburn may have unknowingly done a favor for those who want the Triple Crown to remain as is. For at least this year anyway, a decision to move the Belmont to later in June would be viewed by the non-racing media as a reaction to what Coburn said. They might even think the idea originated with Coburn himself. Of course, a discussion about altering the timing seems to arise each time a Triple Crown bid is foiled, but since when has public perception in regards to racing been guided by facts.

[richard burch]

he said he's sorry....blah blah...leave the old coot alone.

[Gate Dancer]

Originally Posted by richard burch

he said he's sorry....blah blah...leave the old coot alone.

Probably the best advice.....................just very depressing to hear the "cheaters" and "cowards" comments, even in the heat of the moment. Unfortunately, a bunch of non-racing people hear that stuff and he does the game no justice by ranting. Apology, accepted.............. but please show more class in the future and respect history. I'm actually more offended by the comment of "I wanted to win this race for the people of America" ........and exactly how would that have benefited "the people of America"? Hard to throw stones when I haven't been in that situation but his wife appears to have been pretty well grounded during this whole situation. Hope the horse comes out of this well and we can see him again. But keep the mic out of his face. I shudder to think what nonsense would come out of his mouth if Chrome would win the Breeders Cup Classic.

[SundayStar]

dumbass is as dumbass does

[jms62]

Originally Posted by Gate Dancer

Probably the best advice.....................just very depressing to hear the "cheaters" and "cowards" comments, even in the heat of the moment. Unfortunately, a bunch of non-racing people hear that stuff and he does the game no justice by ranting. Apology, accepted.............. but please show more class in the future and respect history. I'm actually more offended by the comment of "I wanted to win this race for the people of America" ........and exactly how would that have benefited "the people of America"? Hard to throw stones when I haven't been in that situation but his wife appears to have been pretty well grounded during this whole situation. Hope the horse comes out of this well and we can see him again. But keep the mic out of his face. I shudder to think what nonsense would come out of his mouth if Chrome would win the Breeders Cup Classic.

His true feelings were revealed Sunday morning after a night to think about it and get input from his camp. His apology was nothing more then a weak attempt at damage control . Guy is a self absorbed clown who felt entitled to his Triple crown.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

It's not surprising that people who don't know the sport would agree with him because when you just hear one side of the argument about one aspect of something, you're probably going to think the argument makes sense. If you don't know the facts of a case and you just listen to the defense attorney's arguments for a couple of minutes (without hearing the prosecution's case), it will sound like the defendant has a great case.

The truth of the matter is that fresh horses do have an advantage. So what? An owner has a right to get to a race any way he wants. Nobody has the right to dictate to an owner what races his horse has to run in. Each individual TC race is a huge race. Each race has top horses and fresh horses. That is one of the reasons that each race is tough to win.

As others have said, can you imagine if the rules were the way that Coburn wants them to be? The Belmont would be a 3 horse field every year. This year it would have been a 3 horses field with CC, General A Rod, and Ride on Curlin. To have Belmonts like that, it wouldn't even be a big deal to win the TC.

So it is true that CC was at a disadvantage compared to the fresher horses but that is the way it should be. That is one of the reasons that winning the TC is so elusive and why winning the TC is such a huge accomplishment. You have to take on all comers. That is the way it should be.

If you simply go up to a novice without putting things in context and ask him if he thinks it's fair that CC ran in all the races and the other horses didn't, the guy will probably say that it's not fair. But then if you explain all the facts to the person, he will probably change his mind.

Well put, and I agree with almost all of it. While I think the proposal is ridiculous, I do think we'd end up with a few more than 3 horses that would run in all 3 races, at least for the first few years. The chance at running 2nd or 3rd in the Belmont Stakes, and the considerable prize money, would probably lure more than 3 Derby/Preakness runners. But after a few years of a having a TC winner every other year, the prestige of both the TC and the Belmont would drop and maybe then there would be just 3-horse fields in the Belmont.

--Dunbar