Why is it lame? I knew this a while ago when we talked about a lotta things over dinner. I asked him the same questions that were answered here and he was adamant that he didn't wanna go and run at CD in the sprint.

"Lame" is doing something you think might jeopardize the horses health or value. There is always added pressure when you train a horse who has already had his breeding rights purchased. Guys, its not lame if you think its a bad thing for your horse. Its called prudence.

Guys whenever a horses' breeding rights are purchased while he is still running and active, there are always heavy incentives based on the horses performance. The reason for this is that the more he accomplishes the higher the farm buying him can stand him at stud. For example(And I do NOT KNOW THIS AS A FACT!), A typical industry standard for a stud deal like this will usually call for the following bonuses to be paid to the seller in addition to the money up front:
Each additional grade one win equals one million
Being champion is another one million
Being HOY is another one million.

So what it means is this(as a very educated guess, the money could be more or less), if he wins either of the two grade one wins hes talking about it probably means a million extra for either or each win. If he wins those and manages to get champion sprinter its an additional 1 million.
Those incentives equal more cash than the BC sprint is worth, lots more. And money is what makes the game go round. Trainer usually gets a 5% commission based up on the final purchase price with incentives added. Trainer also usually gets two breedings per year on the horse which he can use or sell. Dutrow's job and responsibility to his client is to make him worth as much money as possible at stud and the final purcahse price as high as it can be. Its also his responsibility to himself to make himself as much money as possible.
Criticizing this move would be like criticizing Lava Man's owners or trainer for not leaving California this year. I applaud the management job they have done like no other I have seen in a very long time. Lava Man is a gelding so being champion or HOY is of no consequence other than a free dinner and a statue. The deal for him is to run agaisnt the softest competition they can find in the most expensive races they can find at tracks he loves. I'm fair in my judgement of everyone and consistent. You won't find a single post from me about Lava Man's folks being afriad to ship east. WHy should they until the BCC which means so much money? Whats the point exactly? he can't go to stud no matter what he accomplishes.
Dutrow and Four Roses want the most valuable stallion deal that they can possibly have and the most money that they can get. I'm sure they also kept a piece of him in the stud deal and what he stands for means a lot to them as well. The biggest job a trainer has is to do the best he can for his owners not only in regard to how much money they can win, but to make them worth as much as possible on the back end. If Dutrow thinks its a bad move to run him on a track and at a distance he doesnt think suits him, then he is being responsible to his owners, the horse, and to himself.