TVG analyst
 

One of the TVG analysts keeps referencing that he thinks there is probably a "gentleman's agreement" regarding the pace in the Classic because the 2 jockeys on the speed share the same agent. Perhaps I am naïve, but really??? A gentleman's agreement in a 6 million dollar race? I highly doubt it...

Don’t doubt anything in racing. Baffert had two speed horses yesterday and one sat back.

Heartwarming superfecta there and obviously Johnny wanted no part of the pace. Was there an agreement? Who knows. Does it look bad? Of course.

But racing only cares about how racing looks to.people.outside of the game. Not those that support it with their money.

I didn’t think Medina spirit was near fast enough to contest Knicks go which I was surprised he was 3-1. I think medina spirit ran for second

I didn't think I'd ever see a 44 second half mile in the Distaff but we did.

My point is, Velazquez was obviously yanking him back early. Was there an agreement? Probably not. But I don't recall many Baffert runners who concede the lead to other horses.

Its just a bad look and the fact there was talk of it before the race, even unfounded talk looks worse.

Ya if there’s talk it’s bad look but I think Medina had no shot pressing Knicks. I thought pinehurst yesterday was a bigger issue for baffert as that horse should have pushed corniche. Not sure why they even entered the horse if they were letting corniche walk.

Today’s race reminded me of the 2004 Classic where Velazquez conceded an easy lead on Roses in May to Ghostzapper and basically rode for 2nd throughout.

Because he had enough speed to engage and harass any horse that threatened Corniche. He was the muscle if needed. We've seen that before with his horses.

This is why I don’t get in an uproar about trainers that cheat with drugs. I’ve said it before but I came into the game being taught that cheating was just a normal part of the game in many ways and I’ve never thought any different. It’s called inherent risks.