Why didn't Liam run in the Classic? Whimpy owners I guess. Really too bad.
Of course I love AP like everyone else. But it really upped his chances of victory Saturday when Beholder was scratched. Then when they scratched Smooth Roller, the only other speed in the race, it virtually assured him the win.
How much would it have been worth to Pharoh's connections to pay the connections of Smooth Roller not to run? Think of how much that win was worth to Pharoh yesterday in terms of future stud fees. And how much would those stud fees have been reduced if he finished his career with two losses. Not generally a conspiracist but think about it.
Of course I love AP like everyone else. But it really upped his chances of victory Saturday when Beholder was scratched. Then when they scratched Smooth Roller, the only other speed in the race, it virtually assured him the win.
How much would it have been worth to Pharoh's connections to pay the connections of Smooth Roller not to run? Think of how much that win was worth to Pharoh yesterday in terms of future stud fees. And how much would those stud fees have been reduced if he finished his career with two losses. Not generally a conspiracist but think about it.
I will never take away the fact he won the Triple Crown and looked good doing it. However I am not going to go rah rah over him winning over an overmatched field in the Classic on a speed favoring track where he was basically lone speed. He dodged a real bullet with Beholder out as she would have destroyed him.
I was impressed by his Travers loss and derby win more then any of the other races. This isn't a bad horse by any means but has been extremely lucky to run into paceless field after paceless field. Can't fault him for not having anyone go him him but this run has been just as much luck as ability
