I have NEVER said OMG ABUSE. I have not turned it into a prolonged scenario, I saw what I saw and I stand by MY opinion. I have not gone on FB to see the controversy or join in. I made a few comments here about my opinion of the situation. I have handled plenty of horses from rank baby kites, to stallions , mares and all in between as well as working, riding and training at the highest levels in different disciplines so I do have some basis for my opinion. Again sorry if you disagree but we are all entitled to our own opinions.
Firenze Fire then did the same thing to his rival a few years later, Yaupon in the 2021 Forego stakes
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He tried, but since they were running, Yaupon was a moving target and wasn’t savaged like this poor pony and his rider.
There is a photo of Yaupon up thread. Thankfully he hangs his tongue out on the near side. I he had it hanging out on the off side it would have been a terrible disaster.
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On a normal race day, that would have been true.
This was not a normal race day.
There was a huge crowd of people on the track between where RS was and where he needed to be.
The Donna Brothers interview thing was already off the table.
You know what you don’t see in the video? The jockey waving the outrider off, saying he was okay. You know why? The jockey knew the horse, had been riding him for a while, knew the situation he was in. Yes, the jockey was probably stunned at the win, but if the jockey felt safe taking that horse through the crowd to where he needed to be, the outrider wouldn’t have been there.
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All clear. 
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Phew.
That could have been a disaster after such a great story to bounce back after last year.
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And yet you seem to think that if someone disagrees with you, they have not handled any stallions or argumentative youngsters or worked on breeding farms or on the backside or done anything like that whatsoever… and you would be very wrong.
I do have some basis for my opinion - going by your criteria. Again, you saw but a very short segment of that outrider and that horse… and they trotted on from that back through the cacophony and crowds and other horses…
It was definitely NOT a normal race day.
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I never said or even implied that you & others don’t have the same or even more experience than I do. You stated many out there are making comments when they have no real horse experience to base their opinions on, so I gave a brief explanation of my experiences used in forming my opinion. I have not engaged on this thread since race day and am only replying to the comments directed to me. I’m fine with people disagreeing with me just please don’t put words in my mouth. I have my opinion and you have yours, it’s all good.
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I don’t know if anyone already posted this, but it’s a pretty interesting read.
It’s sort of wild to think that the broodmare sold for $230,000 at Keeneland in foal in 2015, and then went for $1700 just four years later.
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I’m surprised this hasn’t become conversation:
Anyone know where the mare is?
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She’s here… she’s just been to Rood & Riddle for a complete once over/checkup as well.
She looks really good.
https://www.facebook.com/1759072009/posts/10209279926592726/?d=n&mibextid=7FbTGu
ETA a screenshot for those not on FB.
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She looks great.
I hope she got some extra carrots for Mother’s Day under the circumstances.
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That’s wonderful! She looks terrific! I assume that her baby having days are behind her?
According to the article I posted, the current owner is hoping they can get her in foal again.
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Glad to see that picture. I’d read she’d last been sold for $1700 and did some searching but didn’t find anything
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I tried to see if anyone had posted this but the screen kept flipping on me when I scrolled the thread to search
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I must say I am surprised that Rich Strike isn’t running in the Preakness but I think it is a good call. There is no point hustling back that quickly for no reason.
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So impressed by Rich Strike’s people. The temptation and pressure to run in the Preakness must have been enormous, but it does not look like that would be the best race for him.
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Some people think his connections are just scared.
I think it’s them knowing their horse.
Knowing he’s not a sprint type horse.
Knowing he hasn’t ever had the quick turn around running in the Preakness would require & that he’ll (probably) relish the longer distance of the Belmont.
Hats off to the entire RS team.
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