RW

Triple Crown Controversy!

Jun 9, 2014

PF
Stage· 61 messages
Jun 9, 2014

Is the deck stacked against history? Does California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn have a point? Pat Fairweather and Robert Willis will talk about the disappointment of this weekend's Belmont Stakes.

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Robert Willis · 7:00 PM

Good Monday afternoon to you all. Bob Willis here with my friend Pat Fairweather. We're gonna breakdown the shakedown of this past weekend's Belmont Stakes. How are you Pat?
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:01 PM

Hey Robert...I'm great...how bout you?
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Robert Willis · 7:01 PM

Mighty fine for a Monda. Tell me, were you one of the millions watching the race on Saturday evening?
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Robert Willis · 7:02 PM

That's shorthand for "Monday", btw.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:02 PM

I did watch and was quite disappointed in the performance of California Chrome...until I found out that the pony got injured coming out of the gate.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:02 PM

After the race, they discovered nearly 1/4 of his right front hoof missing
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Robert Willis · 7:03 PM

First I heard of the injury. I am dissapointed as well about no Triple Crown as well, but thanks to the owner's comments afterwards, enlightened as to how the Triple Crown is almost rigged to never happen.
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Robert Willis · 7:03 PM

OUCH! Did they say what caused it?
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:03 PM

He got stepped on by the #3 horse as they broke out of the gates
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:04 PM

If you were to watch the footage again, you can see it happen
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Robert Willis · 7:04 PM

yeah, I'll pass on that!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:04 PM

None-the-less...the issue here is really the tradition of using fresh horses for the last leg of the triple crown
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:05 PM

I believe that Steve Coburn has a valid point, although his presentation could use some work!
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Robert Willis · 7:05 PM

Definitely. I didn't know that California Chrome and the others had to earn points to enter the three Triple Crown races to begin with.
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Robert Willis · 7:05 PM

He's a little rough on the edges, but his point is valid: if it's called the Triple Crown, then your horse should have to qualify and run in all three races.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:06 PM

The winner, Tonalist didn't race in any triple crown races but the Belmont Stakes
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:06 PM

For 146 years, it's been this way...a great explanation for only 11 Triple Crowns in a century and 1/2
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Robert Willis · 7:07 PM

I understand the mentality from the horse owner's standpoint. Assuring a victory in one of the three big races increases stud fees exponentially.
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Pat Fairweather · 7:07 PM

Truth...and California Chrome is highly valuable for stud.
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Robert Willis · 7:08 PM

Even without the victory he's going to make big money. But unless the National Thoroughbred Racing Association changes the rules, they may continue to keep losing money.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:08 PM

Steve Coburn on Good Morning America this morning gave a very emotional apology to the officials of the Belmont Stakes, Tonalist's trainers and owners and all the people of America for his behavior.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:09 PM

I don't think he needed to apologize.
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Robert Willis · 7:09 PM

As well he should. He was completely out of line after the race.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:09 PM

What a wonderful display of emotion from a horse owner!!
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Robert Willis · 7:09 PM

I think he did because he overshadowed what the other teams did. From a standpoint of how the races are governed, they did what most people would have done: set themselves up for success as best they could.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:09 PM

Normally those guys are so rich and so priveledged it's just another race to them. Although he did appear to be a bit of a sore loser
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Robert Willis · 7:10 PM

The emotion is why so many fans followed California Chrome.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:10 PM

I saw the interview and it was rather entertaining watching his wife telling him to settle down...
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Robert Willis · 7:11 PM

Yeah it was. Too bad he wasn't smart enough to listen to her!
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Pat Fairweather · 7:11 PM

At that point, he had no idea that California Chrome had been injured so his statement was premature
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:12 PM

I believe if California Chrome hadn't been injured, he would be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978
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Robert Willis · 7:12 PM

Had he flipped things around, been contrite on saturday and congratulated the other teams, and today fired his broadside at the NTRA, it might have a much greater impact.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:12 PM

A man of passion rarely holds back...you know that
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Robert Willis · 7:12 PM

It's hard to tell. Tonalist last win, four weeks ago that earned him the points to get in the Belmont Stakes, was the peter Pan Derby, held at....
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Robert Willis · 7:13 PM

....Belmont. He is a horse built to run. Still, it's still a great "what if."
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:13 PM

Despite the legitimacy of the complaint by Steve Coburn, 146 years of tradition will hold up
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Robert Willis · 7:15 PM

Well the question becomes what will the NTRA do. If nothing changes this will continue to happen every year. Some owner or owners will hold their horses back so they can play spoiler.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:15 PM

Having not known the rules, now that I know that, I'm amazed there has ever been a Triple Crown winnner.,
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Robert Willis · 7:15 PM

Attendance is down, viewership is done, money is down, they need to do what they can to keep people coming and watching and bring new fans.
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Robert Willis · 7:16 PM

It would be interesting to go back through the results over the past several decades and see how many horses didn't run all three races.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:16 PM

That's the one sport where the isn't always next year...unless your one of the elite owners with a stable of racers
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:16 PM

You're only 3 for a year
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Robert Willis · 7:17 PM

Oh yeah, completely. These owners are done for at least a couple of years. They don't have a farm full of two year olds waiting to run.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:17 PM

Nope but they plan to stud out California Chrome and pick up one of his offspring...back in 2017 or so
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:18 PM

If he's not just a very special horse without pedigree that will pass on...
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Pat Fairweather · 7:18 PM

He was such a surprise it might be sketchy
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Robert Willis · 7:18 PM

And the horse has great lines, especially on the maternal side. I'm sure California Chrome will sire a few horses that we'll be hearing about in upcoming Kentucky Derbies, preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:19 PM

Let's hope so because despite Steve Coburn kind of making an ass (ironically) out of himself, I really appreciate the working men of Dumb-ass Partners
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Robert Willis · 7:20 PM

Ha! Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the behind the scenes world goes. they are two distinct personalities. It's possible this run in the sun might have brought too much pressure for them to stay together.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:21 PM

I have yet to hear or read Perry Martin's reaction to Coburn's statement.
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Pat Fairweather · 7:21 PM

Have you?
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Robert Willis · 7:21 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't a public one. He may be smart enough to keep that in-house.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:22 PM

Well, overall, I have to say this...if you bet on any horse other than California Chrome...wow, the odds were money makers!!
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Robert Willis · 7:22 PM

Which is a whole other tawk for some other time. Why they gave such odds to horses they knew had fresher legs and more long distance experience.
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:23 PM

Yep...let's plan on doing another Tawk soon Robert!
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Robert Willis · 7:23 PM

Pat at always thank you. Another Triple Crown season is in the books. But I tell you, this has me in the mood to go to Saratgo this year and see some summer racing.
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Robert Willis · 7:23 PM

I hear they have good wine up that way...
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:24 PM

I'm planning to hit Canterbury this summer too!! I love a day at the races!
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Robert Willis · 7:24 PM

(That's Saratoga, btw. Me and my fat thumbs. Tawk to you soon pat!
PF

Pat Fairweather · 7:24 PM

Have a great day Robert!
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Robert Willis · 7:25 PM

You too Pat!