Originally Posted by bellsbendboy

Using generally accepted handicapping principles there is little, if any, evidence to support the theory that Banbury Cross was the "best" horse.

He was an unstarted maiden thirty days before Sundays race and even then debuted at Hoosier, one day before Keeneland opened. Trainers looking to earn purse money do not generally select a $14K purse over the rich $50K Keeneland pays, and Jeff is a solid conditioner.

Banbury Cross is a head case to say the least, but since you do not geld Storm Cat's, Jeff is doing the best he can. After winning at Hoosier, he was a good second at Keeneland despite acting like the fool he is, but was run down by a claimer coming off the shelf.

The best horse won the race. Five Star Dawn's last three are faster than that field had run, he needed his last yet came home very fast, in a rare flipped race. He was gelded prior to that effort and worked back very quickly.

As for Guidry, he took corrective action by tatooing the rogue repeatedly right handed. Tired horses drift, especially when Churchill is dry and all day Sunday riders' kept there mounts wide turning for home. Coming into the stretch the days winners were; 4wide, 2 wide, 5 wide, 4 wide, 6 wide 2 wide and 4 wide. Handicappers often disagree before a race, and occasionally after one, but this is cappin 101 stuff.

As for the respondent that called Guidry a pin head you are entitled to your opinion. Guidry started riding the bush tracks at nine years old, at sixteen he rode pari-mutuel also in Louisiana. He has ridden over 5,000 winners. He is articulate and a terrific advocate for the sport and will be a steward in the very near future. Smart money says he is a better rider than you are a handicapper, whoever you are. BBB