Irish War Cry?
 

Anyone hear if there was a physical problem as to why he performed so poorly? Or didn't like the track, or sandbagging for the next big race? ;):$:

This came from an article in today's DRF:

Irish War Cry, who faded badly to finish seventh as the favorite while suffering the first loss of his career, “certainly seems fine” trainer Graham Motion said Sunday morning at Palm Meadows.

Motion said in hindsight he believes Irish War Cry regressed off his big effort in winning the Holy Bull four weeks earlier. He said he also wishes he’d have instructed jockey Joel Rosario to “take a hold.”

“I was worried he might bounce coming off a big number, but I couldn’t see sitting on him for two months and he had trained so well,” Motion said. “I wish he had settled. You’ve got to learn to settle if you’re going to compete in these races, especially as the distances increase.”

Motion said “we’re going to have to regroup.” He said a final Kentucky Derby prep would not be determined for a bit yet, but that he was inclined to wait five weeks to run back, which makes the Wood Memorial and Blue Grass the likeliest possibilities.

“My disappointment is we really didn’t learn anything,” Motion said. “I’ll keep him here for two weeks and then decide what to do. Right now, five weeks looks more favorable than running back again in four weeks.

Thanks JB.

Ugly trolls...geez, what an idiot

@GrahamMotion what a horrible training job by motion on Irish war cry. No more derby prospect for him ever again after that showing

Tons of responses standing by Motion. Even the very best can have an off day, doesn't make them any less great.

So IWC bounced, no matter for now. There is so much more to look forward to from here on, he's an awesome colt.

Oh, one more thing. I loved how Three Rules stayed in the game to come in third. He's really good. But boy, I'm anxious that his connections have the KY Derby fever and will push him in a direction that may turn out to be a discouragement for him. He is very talented and I believe he will be better at 1 and 1/16 or less.

Call me a simpleton but I love his name . . . uhhh perhaps because I'm Irish . . . nahhhhhh!!!??? I think he'll be fine, maybe needs more time to mature and they expected too much out of him, maybe?