Watched TV and think I saw CC cow kick in saddling paddock just before Victor got a leg up. Think he also kicked out just before being led into the starting gate. He certainly did not look comfortable.
Just glad that CC, while not running the race we all thought he was capable of, did appear to come home safely.
Having nothing to do with CC or Arrogateā¦ what a difference 24 hours makesā¦ Gulfstream Park this afternoon, in the 50ās, rain, sloppy sealed track. Glad the weather was so nice yesterday.
I really wanted Chrome to take revenge and go out on top. Alas, he is still a spectacular horse who gave us a lot of thrills.
Iāll have to see if I can begrudgingly make myself an Arrogate fan now.
Itās a shame about Chrome, but Arrogate looks like he is really special.
The only two times CC has been beaten soundly (no pun intended) is when he was injured. It was sad he didnāt give Arrogate a run for the money, but major kudos to VE for not going to the whip in desperation.
Will always be a fan of CC, but dang Arrogate is a nice one!
I am chiming in a bit late here because it was such a crazy weekend for me
I thought Arrogate ran a tremendous race; his stride, his running style, he is something impressive.
I though Shaman Ghost also ran a tremendous race. Watching the replays; while he was a few lengths back, he looked great!!
And Neolithicā¦ third place isnāt too shabby for his connections! Very nice Harlans Holiday colt; thought he tried his heart out out there
Eragon was dead last. I truly feel bad for that horse. Nice looking horse too but jeez, his connections suck
Prayer For Relief; another nice 9 year old who just didnāt belong in the race. Finished third from last. he is a gorgeous horse; hope they find a better course for him or let him finally move on to a second career. His flame appears to be burnt out
In regards to California Chrome; something was definitely wrong with him before they even loaded him in the gate. The minute he started balking at the gate; I verbally said āsomething is offā. I thought he broke fairly well but at the backstretch when he was running flat out; he was done. He faded extremely rapidly, no gas in the tank, and extremely uncharacteristic of him. Happy to see Victor pull him up when he knew there was no reaction. He appeared very annoyed and/or exhausted.
I did see the videos of him getting unsaddled and he was extremely antsy; tail wringing around, dancing, kicking out. he was very unsettled. He was ok once the tack was off so perhaps the saddle was pinching him or something was awry there.
Regardless; Arrogate ran as expected and while Chrome didnāt end his career on top, we canāt shake or deny the tremendous career he has had. So congrats to Arrogate and happy retirement to Chrome, well deserved.
Disappointing race for Chrome.
A friend on Facebook did the researchāChrome is the first Kentucky Derby winner to race at six since Citation.
snaffle1987, I am with you on Victor. I think the more experienced than I saw Victor having āissuesā on the back stretch (I just didnāt pick up on it). I did like that when Victor knew there wasnāt going to be an answer to Arrogateās move, he didnāt press the issue. Didnāt completely stop riding but sure didnāt push CC.
Will be interesting to see if CC has vet check in KY on that knee to see if there was a chip or if he just stressed warming up or during the early part of the race.
Too bad CC canāt talkā¦ in a few weeks Iād like to be asking him āso, which do you preferā¦ racing or the ladiesā??? 
PS - at least no one is ripping Victor for a bad ride. I could see if it had ended up in a āmatch raceā on the front that the loosing jock could have been blamed for a bad ride. In this case, good ride and call by Victor on a horse that it just wasnāt his day.
PS - at least no one is ripping Victor for a bad ride. I could see if it had ended up in a āmatch raceā on the front that the loosing jock could have been blamed for a bad ride. In this case, good ride and call by Victor on a horse that it just wasnāt his day.
I go back and forth on Victor, but I think he did well here. After the break I thought he had CC positioned well, but it was clear about halfway into the race that Victor was urging hard and getting no response. Good on him for taking it slow. I remember a few people making an offhand comment that Victor hadnāt ridden well enough in the Classic, but I actually think he rode a great race and CC was plain outrun. I could see some people making that accusation again if there had been a duel down the stretch this time.
I havenāt read all the post race comments yetā¦ however going down the back stretch I noticed CC head was a bobbing which is NOT normal and told Ryan heās ānot rightāā¦ and thoughts insights???
Only caught the race itself, not the Pre race activity. My thought at the top of the stretch was that CC was simply done and possibility he was hurt. So if they come up with an injury ātheoryā I buy it 100%. Fact my initial reaction was recalling Charismatic and was relieved when CC was allowed to gallop out and the jock didnāt hop off.
No shame. Arrogate is a monster with many, many fewer starts to wear away at that stature then CC. Iāll drink a toast to wrapping his successful career (despite the sideshow) and embarking on a new one. He was fun to watch.
Per Taylor Madeā¦ no sign of a chipā¦
video of Chrome at Taylor Made. I believe that is the first time CC has seen snow.
Sorry, a bit OT - did anyone catch the name of the Aftercare program that was in a commercial during the NBC coverage?
I was really impressed that Aftercare rated network airtime!
According to the latest report from Taylor Mafe, CC has a twisted knee. Only speculation on when the injury actually occurred though.
i have to wonder if he had already been hurt prior to going into the saddling area. He was not acting like his normal self at all. Kicking out, wringing his tail & just overall more worked up than normal.
Then for him to balk at the gateā¦
Victor also reported that CC didnāt feel like his normal self from the break.
Who knowsā¦
glad itās nothing serious & he gets a bit of down time before hitting the breeding shed.
Just a bit of down time. One of the Taylor bros. said that they plan some test breedings in 2-3 days, and then, assuming all looks good, begin his breeding schedule 2/14.
[QUOTE=Zevida;9027482]
Iāll have to see if I can begrudgingly make myself an Arrogate fan now.[/QUOTE]
Why ābegrudginglyā?
I am a huge AP fan, but that does not stop me from being a fan of Keen Ice.
Shaman Ghost is no slouch either and another argument to offer more options for the late blooming or unlucky horses besides their owners flushing the money to breed/prurchase and develop them down the toilet if they donāt make the spring Derby qualifiersā¦before they even hit their actual 3rd birthday.
I am hoping this wasnāt the colossal commercial bust it looked like from the crappy to non exsitent promotion and lack of simulcast screens/opportunities.
"Per Taylor Madeā¦ no sign of a chipā¦ "
So very, very, very glad!!
