Derby Trail Forums - Bailey vs. Azeri

Quote:

Originally Posted by miraja2

To me the key to the '04 TC has always been that on a dry surface going 12f, Smarty Jones was simply not that much better than Birdstone....if he was even better at all under those particular conditions.
Clearly Smarty was the superior animal overall. Smarty was, I believe, vastly superior to Birdstone at any distance up to and including 10f. He was also vastly superior to Birdstone on an off track. But at 12f on a dry track, he was NOT vastly superior.
Therfore, when Smarty was faced with an unfavorable pace and position scenario like he was that day, he couldn't defeat Birdstone.
When people that say that JB "cost Smarty the TC" with his ride on Eddington that day, I think they are really simplifying what happened to the point of absurdity.

BS.
Take away RHT and Eddington and Birdstone is not even close.
Smarty ran on any track. What happened in the Preakness?
The horse lost one flippin race at extraordinary distance with a questionable ride and what has been mentioned. Fantastic animal. And even in the loss he fought all the way to the wire. No give up in that horse. A joy to watch.