Dutrow's Confidence in Big Brown

[ELA]

Like it or not, that's kind of what you want in a trainer -- not the person, but the mindset, way of thinking, etc. Perhaps not the public aspect of it, or to that degree, but that mindset is what you want. You don't want a trainer who thinks, trains, etc. defensively. Sure, it cuts both ways, but very often when a trainers starts training defensively, then they start entering defensively. They pick defensive spots, don't tighten the screws so to speak, pick spots not wanting to lose a horse, etc. -- all of that. Yes, it's different with stakes horses, and there's no rule.

Dutrow is a great racetrack character. I didn't know him well before he got rolling, but to some extent, he has always been this way. He's a confident guy, boisterous, and whatever else you want to call it.

I've seen far too many run their business defensively, and from a position of weakness. When that happens, most of the time you are beaten at the draw.

Eric