[dean smith]

How much is known about horse psychology?

I'm reading and hearing a lot of explanations how Mine That Bird could've won the Derby the past few days. Jockey, track conditions, bias...

As a relatively new horse racing junkie, this is what I saw Saturday: A horse with a career-best 81 Beyer who had previously been happy to hit the board on the New Mexico dog racing circuit fall back 15 lengths before blowing by 18 "superior" horses on the turn for home LIKE THEY WERE STANDING STILL and easily cross the wire 7 lengths ahead of the field while his jockey struck a series of guts poses.

The reason I ask about horse psychology is because I'm wondering if the Kentucky Derby is handicapable using normal handicapping methodology. How in the world can an easily-spooked animal like a horse be expected to behave and perform in front of 150,000 fans the same way he performs in front of a few thousand on an average 100K stakes Saturday? You've got the circus on the walk from the sheds and in the saddling area. You've got a marching band and "My Old Kentucky Home" during the parade to the gate. You've got the roar as the gate swings open and a calvary stampede of 20 horses (as opposed to the 6-12 he's used to) and the steady roar which continues through the first turn. Then, upon hitting the final turn for home heading toward the grandstand, you've got the "wall of sound" jockeys will admit shakes the hell out of them. And then you've got absolute pandamonium on both sides of you during the long stretch run.

Is it possible that Mine That Bird's win can simply be attributed to his being a "gamer" who feeds on such energy and becomes an adrenaline pumping machine in such circumstances, while others go A-Rod and wilt under the intense heat of the moment? Can horses be likened to humans in this way? Is Mine That Bird a Robert Horry-type who grinds it out through the regular season but becomes "Big Shot Bob" when the spotlight shines the brightest?

I'm not trying to sound corny or anything, but these are the things I wonder about as I get more and more into racing. In short, how much do we know about how the equine mind works? Can a horse choke under pressure? Can he rise to the occasion and perform in the clutch? Does he even know he's racing or does he think he's fleeing predators?