One photo I hope we never see something similar again.
Thank god Abarrio stayed true & didn’t duck or balk, it could have been so much worse.
12 Likes
Wow. That is a super crazy picture! The look on the horse’s face is priceless.
Once in a lifetime shot for the photographer. I hope.
8 Likes
Gotta say White Abarrio gained points in the Good Boy book for handling it so well. His ears tell us he is aware of the WTFery going on around (and ON) him but he’s just like, okaaaay…well, whatever, gotta job to do.
I already really like this horse for his talent (erratic as he may be), so this just added some gold stars to his name. 
10 Likes
If you notice in that shot, Irad is still is possession of the reins. He said in his leading rider interview today that he tried to pull himself back up by the reins, but that because he had the left rein tighter it turned Mindframe away from him, and that’s when he knew he was a goner. Imagine if he had had a hold of the right rein and had been able to pull himself back on!! He also said WA’s jock called him and thanked him for actually pulling him back up onto his horse!
6 Likes
I have a feeling that no matter what those two guys accomplish for the rest of their careers, they will always have people asking them:
Do you remember that time in the Gold Cup…?
5 Likes
I think a lot of horses need to get a lot of extra treats this week. They all handled the mayhem like absolute pro’s. White Abarrio for never leaving his path despite his own jockey completely hanging off the right side of him and Ortiz riding sideways on his rump, holding a death grip on Zaya’s silks.
Mindframe for also staying on his path despite losing his jockey and having his right rein holding the entire strength of Ortiz who was trying to right himself. He slowed himself down after he lost Ortiz and stayed clear of the field.
Sierra Leone who, despite having his head cranked to the right to steer clear of Ortiz, jumped him at the last second never putting a foot on him.
Disarm who got checked hard along with Highland Falls who got slammed into the rail.
The only horse who wasn’t affected in someway won the race. Had Contrary Thinking not been used as a rabbit and blitzed the field in the early half, he might’ve won or hit the board given the circumstances
Honestly, a race to draw a line through for the entire field but the winner and onto the next. Glad everyone was OK
4 Likes
Was actually impressed by Sierra Leone who, despite a jockey flying at his knees and his own jockey cranking him hard right (as was appropriate), managed to overcome his confusion about what the hell was he suppose to do and falling back on the drifting in habit? Came flying straight and true at the wire-ran the best race he did not win. IMO.
Thank heavens this was not a MSW for 2 year olds.
5 Likes
Also, Irad was there to accept the award for leading jockey for the meet.
3 Likes
Was it something big he had to hoist over his head? That might have been painful for him. 
1 Like
Me too! If for some reason after he is done racing and the stud business does not work out, there is potential as a jumper.
2 Likes
Sierra Leone would be a legend if he could run straight. Can’t really blame him in this race I guess after he had to jump rider on the ground but he is always lugging in.
I am glad Ortiz will be fine. White Abarrio wasn’t convinced he should have 2 riders but yes, he perservered with his job and didn’t lose it with an extra rider flying his way.
1 Like
