Trainer Bennie Woolley said in a pre-race interview, "nuthing bothers this horse," and in the Post Parade with all the noise MTB was the only horse looking ahead to what was coming up - that has always been my mark of who would win - who is interested. It also didn't "bother" the horse to keep his momentum through a three foot opening on the rail when asked to do so when most jockeys and horses don't have the nerve.
As far as Westerners and ex-rodeo riders horning in, it's about time racing lost some its Blue Blood status. Westerners don't put up with a lot BS and being constantly chided by the press about the twenty one hour van ride finally broke Woolley's patience when he had other things in mind - like his Western Hospitality of giving credit to other trainers of MTB.
This IS GOOD for racing - just watching the crowd cheering as the Bird flew past the lugging leaders and then roaring their approval as Borel and MTB wallowed in their victory "dance" as one couple. Didn't Seabiscuit and Red Pollard do the same thing once when horse racing was at the pinnacle of sports, when the whole country stopped to hear a race on radio (then see it on Movie Tone News)?
Horse racing fans can all handicap and pedigree away, but in reality there are the Derby Gods who, just like the Real One, everyone seems to ignore. The Gods have reasons of their own as to who the winner will be and the reason for my All bet on Derby Day.
I also believe the Gods gave Sunland Park and their runners some kind of payback for Peppers Pride all-time winning streak not being acknowledged with an Eclipse award.
'09 was a fantastic Derby day, and people who only watch once a year said, "WOW, look at what a horse can do!" ... not realizing the prowess of such a rider as Borel. Yes, the Derby Gods touched jockey and horse on the first Friday and Saturday in May.
No comments:
Post a Comment