Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS (Post 717414)

Very early on one of the commentators suggested that.

Pletcher is not to blame for anything.

He thought she was "quiet" and "almost sedated looking" while being saddled. Big deal. Are trainers supposed to order horses scratched because of how they have behave in the saddling area?

ESPN showed a picture of her being saddled - and both Johnny V and a handler were both petting her and playfully smacking her shoulder to try and wake her up.

The first problem was when she got on the racetrack and first tried to refuse to warm up - than stumbled a few times in her warm up.

The second problem was when Johnny V. is telling the ESPN guys she's not warming up well at all.

The third problem was five minutes later - when the camera came back to Life At Ten and Bailey asked Johnny V. if she's doing any better and Johnny V. tells ESPN "No. Not really." Bailey asks what's wrong - and all Johnny V. says is "I'm not sure"

Originally Posted by Arletta (Post 717434)

She was treated very unfair and that is what pisses me off. Pletcher should know his own damn horse and if she is acting out of sorts or not..If they were that concerned about it (and both appeared to be) then there should have never been any other decision than to scratch her.

Originally Posted by Arletta (Post 717434)

They are lucky she did'nt have a heart attack running in that race.

Originally Posted by Linny (Post 717421)

I was 5 feet from this mare in the paddock at SAR before the Personal Ensign and she was NUTSO. She's a very hot type, always tugging the handlers, usually led by 2 people. Today she looked like my friends old chestnut lesson horse out there, inspite of the crowds, the noise the lights etc. He placid demeanor was obviously a sign to Pletcher and she ran like a sick horse.

As for the betting, any 'capper had to factor her in, whether as a win candidate or a pace factor.

Are KY rules the same as NY for multi race bets? Do you get the post time favorite in the event of a scratch? If so you wouldn't have gained anything because Blind Luck was (IMO)hurt by the non effort by LAT. The "real" LAT would have assured a far faster pace, making Blind Luck's chances better.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS (Post 717444)

You're talking about a trainer scratching a horse while 3/1 in a $2 million race beacuse she's quiet in the saddling area?

Pletcher leaves the discussion once Life At Ten hits the track. He doesn't even watch the warm-up or post parade - after he saddles the horse he goes to some room to watch the race.




Life At Ten is classy speed horse - she ran her opening quarter mile in 28.84 seconds - I haven't made my pace figures yet ... but she didn't run fast enough to have a heart attack.

The slowest horse on the backside of Penn National would have been in front of her.

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley (Post 717452)

I have to disagree with you. A GOOD trainer would be concerned if his horse wasn't acting normally and WOULD watch her warm up in the post parade.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS (Post 717460)

So, Pletcher isn't a "GOOD" trainer?

What's he going to do - sprint onto the racetrack and use his body as a human shield to prevent his horse from being able to load into stall #1??

If the blame is on anyone - it's on the jockey and or vet.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS (Post 717454)

Unrivalled Belle was not losing that race to anyone - she rated off of the pace ... so had the real version of Life At Ten showed up .. it wouldn't have helped Blind Luck any.

Unrivalled Belle simply ran back to that rapid win she had in her only other career start over the track when she edged out Rachel Alexandra.

Originally Posted by v j stauffer (Post 717473)

I agree

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie (Post 717477)

She showed the speed of Ruffian.

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS (Post 717444)

You're talking about a trainer scratching a horse while 3/1 in a $2 million race beacuse she's quiet in the saddling area?

Pletcher leaves the discussion once Life At Ten hits the track. He doesn't even watch the warm-up or post parade - after he saddles the horse he goes to some room to watch the race.

Originally Posted by Arletta (Post 717496)

He was not in a room.. He was standing right there at the rail. They were even questioning him about it while they were heading to the gate and he said she didn't seem like "normal".

As far as running slow/fast that was'nt my point. My point was that because of her being in such distress, could have caused her to have a heart attack being asked to go run her a$$ off.

It was all in poor judgment on all parties and I just hope there are no lasting effects from her being made to run tonight.

Originally Posted by Arletta (Post 717496)

He was not in a room.. He was standing right there at the rail. They were even questioning him about it while they were heading to the gate and he said she didn't seem like "normal".

Originally Posted by FGFan (Post 717499)

All that was the post race interview not prior to the race.

Originally Posted by Arletta (Post 717505)

I saw them interviewing him right there at the rail PRIOR to the race while the horse went in front of him.

Originally Posted by dagolfer33 (Post 717498)

I have a serious question for Vic. Why do you think A. Quinonez didnt get to retain any of the mounts he could have carried into the BC? His name shows up in the PPs as the last rider for a number of horses, and I think he has done some great riding this year.