Does a trainer have to make a prior request for special treatment like we’ve seen with Lani in the first two legs of the triple crown?
No, mine was a legitimate question too. I really don’t know what the deal is between the two brothers. First I heard was a media guy saying they had a complicated relationship, but I don’t put too much stock in what an announcer is saying. But then to hear them interviewed, it definitely wasn’t the brotherly relationship one might expect on such a winning day as this.
On another note entirely…
I was just amusing myself by thinking of the stallion barn a few years from now… “Yeah, 2016, I remember it well. That was the year I won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness…”
I know I’d heard they maybe don’t have the best relationship, but I thought the interviews were all in good fun - seemed like good natured ribbing to me.
Sounds like both Nyquist and Exxagerator are planning to go to Belmont!
[QUOTE=Zevida;8673189]
Sounds like both Nyquist and Exxagerator are planning to go to Belmont![/QUOTE]
Yep, it’s on Nyquist’s Facebook page he leaves Monday. I’m glad they are still trying for the Belmont. Still a fan of the guy, still think he’s a great horse.
I was at a bar for the race and it was kind of disheartening to hear as soon as he lost the “oh! no Triple Crown this year!” comments like he was suddenly craptastic. Hey, the guy was previously undefeated, has won like 5 G1s already and lost today a sporting 3rd. Don’t think that was a fluke, I wouldn’t be kicking him out of my stable anytime soon 
They were flying out of the gate, and the first time past us, it was really a cavalry charge. No wonder Nyquist got burned out. I don’t know if he was rank, or they thought that they could win on the lead, but it was a mistake, obviously.
Watching it live, I thought that Kent D beat the living crap out of his colt down the stretch, and I just watched the replay. In my opinion, he did. I mean, there is not wanting to get beat again, and then there is being over the top. Just my .02.
Being at Pimlico was interesting. A great experience to be able to put down. Not something I’d do again.
Post-race press conference of the Desormeauxs and Exaggerator’s owners -
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/211824/preakness-stakes-141-press-conference. There, the brothers seem to be ok together.
Then just happened across this article - a few years old - but perhaps why there is a little distrust between them - http://www.drf.com/news/desormeaux-conflicting-views-his-struggles
[QUOTE=Rackonteur;8673060]
I think maybe they are doing good just to be there and managing. Not making any excuses at all for them, because you are right, this is the time to put on your big-boy pants and act like a gentleman. Maybe they’re playing up their story for effect and haven’t let go of it yet. But I am sure glad they won![/QUOTE]
Or Keith was kidding about ‘thinking about…’ all the other aspects and not a thought to Kent? Or meant it as a compliment, Kent you don’t have to worry about, the rest you do?
I dunno’ it did come off bad, though I am hoping it wasn’t intentional.
It makes me sad to see someone so talented [Kent] so troubled. The interview before the Derby with his parents who said the only person who doesn’t think Kent has an alcohol problem is Kent…
Yeah, I noticed it too watching here at home. Seemed a bit excessive, especially the last few strides before the wire. He was really laying into him.
I think Jerry Bailey(?) nailed it. He said that Guttierez asked Nyquist to leave the gate aggressively then couldn’t shut him down once he got to the front.
I think Jerry Bailey(?) nailed it. He said that Guttierez asked Nyquist to leave the gate aggressively then couldn’t shut him down once he got to the front.
Yeah, I agree with you and Jerry here. I thought of last year’s monsoon, where AP had to leave the gate just as fast. (And from the 1 post!) He settled down to wait though, where Nyquist was having none of that. Of course AP didn’t really have anyone pressing on him, either. I wonder how it would’ve worked out with a real speed horse in the Preakness last year. My gut says AP would’ve just settled in second or third, but you never know. I thought Nyquist would be able to settle the same way, but he decided otherwise!
I always enjoy Jerry’s input on things. I think he’s a really nice addition to the race coverage. By comparison, I was just ehh on Gary Stevens as an analyst while he was retired, even though I like him as a jockey.
[QUOTE=ASB Stars;8673290]
They were flying out of the gate, and the first time past us, it was really a cavalry charge. No wonder Nyquist got burned out. I don’t know if he was rank, or they thought that they could win on the lead, but it was a mistake, obviously.
Watching it live, I thought that Kent D beat the living crap out of his colt down the stretch, and I just watched the replay. In my opinion, he did. I mean, there is not wanting to get beat again, and then there is being over the top. Just my .02.
Being at Pimlico was interesting. A great experience to be able to put down. Not something I’d do again.[/QUOTE]
Last year, people on here criticized Espinoza for how much he used the whip. In the post race analysis yesterday, one of them mentioned that Exaggerator has, in the past, slacked off when he gets the lead, and Desormeaux made sure that didn’t happen.
[QUOTE=CVPeg;8673360]
Post-race press conference of the Desormeauxs and Exaggerator’s owners -
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/211824/preakness-stakes-141-press-conference. There, the brothers seem to be ok together.
Then just happened across this article - a few years old - but perhaps why there is a little distrust between them - http://www.drf.com/news/desormeaux-conflicting-views-his-struggles[/QUOTE]
In the t.v. coverage of the Kentucky Derby there was an interview with Keith and Kent, and Kent’s issues with alcohol were discussed, as was his having to blow into a breathalyzer before riding.
[QUOTE=RhythmNCruise;8673462]
Yeah, I noticed it too watching here at home. Seemed a bit excessive, especially the last few strides before the wire. He was really laying into him.[/QUOTE]
He didn’t hit the horse in the last 8-9 strides before the wire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCrPZiCw5oE
He made contact with the horse a total of 14 times in the stretch (the whole race for that matter). By US racing/riding standards that is not excessive, and there are far worse examples than Kent D’s ride yesterday.
That said, I don’t disagree that US racing could introduce limits on whip use, as visually it does racing no favors for the casual fan to see a horse hit in successive strides. In other racing jurisdictions Desormeaux’s ride would probably have gotten him a fine and suspension for “excessive use of the whip” and “failure to give the horse time to respond”.
[QUOTE=Madeline;8673480]
I think Jerry Bailey(?) nailed it. He said that Guttierez asked Nyquist to leave the gate aggressively then couldn’t shut him down once he got to the front.[/QUOTE]
Didn’t they say something about Nyquist and the conditions? (rain, sloppy track)? I thought Guttierez wanted to get him out in front so he wouldn’t have mud thrown all over him if he wasn’t used to it.
But what do I know? 
[QUOTE=Sarah616;8673521]
Last year, people on here criticized Espinoza for how much he used the whip. In the post race analysis yesterday, one of them mentioned that Exaggerator has, in the past, slacked off when he gets the lead, and Desormeaux made sure that didn’t happen.[/QUOTE]
Yes, he sure did!
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;8673551]
He didn’t hit the horse in the last 8-9 strides before the wire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCrPZiCw5oE
He made contact with the horse a total of 14 times in the stretch (the whole race for that matter). By US racing/riding standards that is not excessive, and there are far worse examples than Kent D’s ride yesterday.
That said, I don’t disagree that US racing could introduce limits on whip use, as visually it does racing no favors for the casual fan to see a horse hit in successive strides. In other racing jurisdictions Desormeaux’s ride would probably have gotten him a fine and suspension for “excessive use of the whip” and “failure to give the horse time to respond”.[/QUOTE]
I stand corrected. I guess I remembered it incorrectly. It seemed like the closer they got to the wire, the more he hit him.
I do remember Espinoza being criticized for heavy whip use too.
I guess we’d all like to see a hand ride down the stretch on a horse with pricked ears who is leaving the rest of the field in the dust (or slop). At least I would.
I’m so conflicted about racing. I loved watching AP last year. And yet, the year prior I’d sworn I wouldn’t watch racing anymore due to moral/ethical issues I have with it. And this year, I’m right back to feeling disenchanted. Beating baby horses with a whip to make them run as fast as they possibly can to win money. I’m just not sure that’s a noble sport. And yet…I watch AP’s races over and over and get goosebumps. I watch Secretariat’s races and get goosebumps. There’s something about it I love…even though when I break it down and think about it…I’m almost appalled.
Oh well.
I do remember Espinoza being criticized for heavy whip use too.
I guess we’d all like to see a hand ride down the stretch on a horse with pricked ears who is leaving the rest of the field in the dust (or slop). At least I would.
Wouldn’t we all 
That’s the beauty of it. I also think AP was clearly so happy racing that you knew he wasn’t being forced. He pretty much grinned all the way down the homestretch in the Preakness, under a hand ride.
I have a tough time with heavy whip use. Espinoza was criticized for it in the Derby. He said that AP was very distracted by the environment, and he was trying to keep him focused on his job. The fact that he rarely used the whip in AP’s following races, in my mind, backs that claim up.
I thought Kent used a fair amount of whip in this Preakness, but he claims the horse plays around and slacks a bit if left to himself on the lead. I’m not sure if he hit him each time, or if he was also fanning the whip (which looks visually similar). Espinoza and Baffert claimed a lot of the whipping we saw in the Derby was fanning as well. I couldn’t really say.
Nevertheless, yes, I think whip use limits might need to be enforced, just to keep a ‘cleaner’ image of racing - other more serious issues like trainer suspensions and ruling circumventions notwithstanding. When most people only see one or two races a year, and then see a lot of what at least looks like heavy whipping, they aren’t really endeared to the sport.
I have had to explain to non-horsey people that when I smack my horse with a whip once, it’s negative reinforcement. Then I ask them what they do to their puppy when it pees on the carpet or does something it’s not supposed to, like jump on someone. They usually understand better after that. Whipping in racing is obviously a different story, but it would be good for everyone (eg. the NTRA) to keep in mind that the super-casual viewer probably has a different image of a crop than an equestrian.
It sounds to me like Kent Desormeaux may have been living up to the stereotype of a typical Cajun. Work hard and afterwards party even harder. “Let the good times roll.”
[QUOTE=ASB Stars;8673290]
They were flying out of the gate, and the first time past us, it was really a cavalry charge. No wonder Nyquist got burned out. I don’t know if he was rank, or they thought that they could win on the lead, but it was a mistake, obviously.
Watching it live, I thought that Kent D beat the living crap out of his colt down the stretch, and I just watched the replay. In my opinion, he did. I mean, there is not wanting to get beat again, and then there is being over the top. Just my .02.
Being at Pimlico was interesting. A great experience to be able to put down. Not something I’d do again.[/QUOTE]
Aside from the issue of Exaggerator losing focus when he gets the lead, Kent also has a reputation for not riding his races to the end (for example the 2010 Kentucky Derby where he let Paddy O’Prado get passed for 2nd place by Ice Box right before the wire.) I’m guessing that this time, especially riding for his brother, he wanted there to be no doubt about his level of commitment to winning the race.
