Yeah. Doesn't change the fact the racing was an embarrassment and the tents were worse.

The card worked when trainers were willing to wheel-back in two weeks, but now Pimlico is left with nothing but the leftovers. Belmont, I think, has the best Triple Crown undercard, and they're in a better spot with 5 weeks off the CD races and a later time in the year for other horses to get going.

Those Tents remind me of being at a dog show.

Thank You.

What an awful, horrible race the Preakness was. I just need to get that off my chest.

The purses are also a joke.

Welcome to Maryland racing.

Doesn't matter though... if you put another $100k on each of those races, do the fields grow by that much?

No. That being said what a waste of a grass course they have at Laurel.

i don't think the top end needs attention, but the bottom end of the spectrum sure does! if the bread and butter daily fare were to get purse boosts, thus helping more folks to actually make a little more money to cover expenses, you might manage to entice more owners into the game. and that's what the sport needs. the super rich and rich can afford a high priced hobby, but many others cannot. help them get in, and stay in, and other wants will follow. more owners-trainers make more. fields grow. the number of fans would most likely increase with better betting opportunities-plus more owners means more friends and family in their wake.

I think the "high percentage" trainer factor hurts this area of the industry. Unless you can get in with one of those, you will struggle. If you increase the purse, it mainly helps those same high-percentage types. I mean, if I go out here and give Danny Velasquez (or Sean whatever from HRTV) money to claim horses, my chances of competing are just not good.

I keep reading about what a poor ride Johnny V gave Animal Kingdom on other boards and blogs. What am I missing here?

Nothing. It's idiocy.

He finished second on the second best horse.

It was obvious from the Kentucky Derby that Animal Kingdom can be positioned anywhere in a race and that his record of sitting 10th or further back at the first point of call in 4 out of 6 starts is purely rider decision.

He should have gone wire-to-wire to avoid the dirt in the face.

Ive been critical of JV at times but, I don't see how he could have rode him any better.

Agreed. He rode him well in both races.

Rollo is exaggerating, but that is basically the sentiment of some people. Calling for him to never ride the horse again. If only these people bet.

Not that I gamble based on gallop-outs, but Shackleford won the gallop-out... he was simply he best horse this past weekend. Johnny V did nothing wrong... in fact, he rode the race pretty well.

Hell, down the backside, I wasn't sure AK was going to even fire.

I agree completely and it applies to all circuits/venues. It also makes betting harder. Do you dare take a shot against a 38% trainer when he's also over 30% with all applicable categories or bet him in P3's or 4's hoping you are right in the other legs as well? Do you pass? I sometimes do and I imagine others do and tracks wonder why handle is down.

It must be hard to be an owner when you can't pay JC Guerrero (mid Atl) or the Englehart (Finger Lakes) or Jamie Ness others of their ilk. How often do you have to watch their horse's tails before to get out.