So field is down to 19…which is still too large, about 5 to 7 horses too large.
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I’m not sure why there’s all this angst over this decision. That Mike Smith would have another ride in the Derby was inevitable from the moment Omaha Beach was scratched.
It’s a business. Smith is the best rider you can get for this race. There’s no chance he’s going to sit on the sidelines.
Sure I feel bad for Corey, although I’m sure he understands why it happened. Does he like it? No. Is he angry? Probably. He can make the decision not to ride for those owners, or that trainer, ever again if he’s that pissed about it.
Fwiw, jockeys spin owners all the time. They commit to riding your horse, then they get what they think is a better offer and they take it. Sometimes you get a day’s notice. Sometimes you are literally scrambling the morning of the race to find a new jockey (when all the good jocks are already on other horses.) It’s all part of the game.
I’ve met Mike a few times. I don’t know him well but have found him to be a genuinely nice person. I have never seen anything snake-oil-ish him.
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Good thing about the field being down to 19 is that now they won’t be using the #1 gate. The horses will break from gates 2-20.
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Not sure how/why you’re getting angst out of my post…
I understand it part of the game. Still doesn’t change how I’ve always thought of Mike Smith. I’m allowed to have my opinion… thanks.
As am I.
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I just saw this on TV. I figured Mike Smith would get another mount. I’m glad for the horse and his “connections” but I also feel bad for Corey.
I will be jingling for Brendan Walsh tomorrow.
So wonderful to see Eddie looking so good! 
OK, does anyone know anything about the spectacular looking horse Donna Brothers is riding? WOW!
Interview with Corey Lanarie shows his disappointment but he handled it with class.
Mike Smith “snake oil-ish”? What does that mean? Snake oil salesman sell quack cures.
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It is interesting that the rules say that a jockey taken off a horse this late in the game must be compensated as if they still had the ride. There was speculation that Lanarie may have waved that right, but it was speculation. They don’t know.
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Where? Link? In the past she has ridden Baffert’s ponies, which are amazing ranch horses for which I think he must have paid a pretty sum.
I was just watching the pre-Oaks coverage on NBCSports, (which has now disappeared,) and she was interviewing I thin Mike Smith, and she was on a black horse, that to my mind looked like Tserleg(?)
Any body catch Mikenzies (sp?) race. That was Justifys stablemate last year, who was said to be the better of the two but got hurt and missed the rest of the season. Impressive to put it mildly. Sort of exploded off the turn, shifted to cruise control and left the rest of them just watching his dust. Just a hair of the track record for the distance. Sailed under to wire all by himself, relaxed, looking for something to race. Be nice to have that caliber older male out there for a change. With MS of course. Think Mike was even a little surprised at the way that horse finished, almost speechless.
That black stable pony that DB is on looks like a big old QH that still likes to strut his stuff but sensibly without going overboard.
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Makes no sense to me either!
HOW can a trainer - or the vets NOT know this about this throat problem with this horse??
I was once retraining a 13 yr old QH for a “donate to kids” program. The gelding was was fabulous. but he was a ‘roarer’ No doubt that was why he was donated to the program.
Because it just happened.
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[QUOTE=Larksmom;n1038666
I was just watching the pre-Oaks coverage on NBCSports, (which has now disappeared,) and she was interviewing I thin Mike Smith, and she was on a black horse, that to my mind looked like Tserleg(?)[/QUOTE]
The coverage is back on NBCSN. I saw the horse you mentioned. The only resemblance I see to Tsetserleg is the color.
well, I saw that too, and when I saw him on the track he looked VERY different!:lol:
Yes, the camera angle did the horse no favors. The don’t have the same type of head though, for sure.
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That enormous chunk of an Appy always cracks me up.
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