Almost immediately after the race was finished, jockey Kent Desormeaux made a statement that was broadcast on ABC about not being in fifth place and pulling up Big Brown to take care of him.
Here is how The Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman got the quote:
"I wasn't going to be fifth," he said, referring to the worst placing a horse can have and still receive a paycheck in the Belmont. "This is the best horse I ever rode. I took care of him."
Where was the part about the horse being injured?
And what did he mean not being fifth? Did Desormeaux mean: I won't make it to fifth in the end, I'll be worse, so why chance it.
It sounded more to me as if Desormeaux was instead saying: There is no way I was going to let my horse finish fifth, he's better than that... we'll come back another day.
Can that be right?
I didn't set my DVR to record and didn't think about listening again at the time, but I certainly at the at the time thought that Desormeaux was saying his rationale for pulling up this horse was that he wasn't winning. I was shocked he was actually admitting what I had suspected for years.
I guess I should offer some context to my anti-Desormeaux bias.
Oversleeping and missing a workout on Sweetnorthernsaint leading up to the 2006 Derby and misjudging the finish line in a race at Keeneland last year (a mistake that resulted in a $2,500 fine) may seem trite when used as specific examples of recent slip-ups from Desormeaux. However I think this two high-profile mistakes are just a part of a pattern of what I think is a lazy work ethic.
Yes, I called him lazy.
If you think I'm being unfair, pay attention the next time Desormeaux is on a horse that is considered "live" but is getting beat and isn't going to win. See if it looks to you like he's fighting to get up for second or third place or if it looks like he's giving up in the stretch. I'm pretty sure it will be the latter.
I've watched this happen time and time again over the past few years -- if this guy isn't winning, he just seems to give up and quit. And I know I'm not the only one who notices, because I have heard other people at the track make the same complaints.
I think if you search the archives you will be hard pressed to find an example of me beating up on a jockey like this. While I regularly criticize others in the industry for poor judgements, colossal failures, and bad ideas, I usually don't openly rant about a bad ride from a jockey. I figure that in the end when you add up the good rides and the bad rides, it all comes out in the wash. But there is a difference between a bad ride and a lazy ride.
So back to the quote about fifth place, what did he mean?
We don't really know why Desormeaux pulled up Big Brown. He just says he was out of gas. Does that mean he pulled the horse up just because he didn't fire when asked? If Desormeaux didn't hear or feel anything wrong (other than the horse not responding) and he pulled him up, doesn't that just mean that he folded up his table and went home? If he truly thought the horse was hurt, why didn't he dismount? Instead Desormeaux galloped the horse to the finish line after he was eased.
The only reason to pull up a horse is because he is injured... not because he will only finish fifth or because he can't get to fifth.
If either of those is indeed the case, he would have already been fined and possibly suspended in Hong Kong or Europe by now...and the same should be the case in this country. I'm not trying to make an argument for racing horses that could possibly be injured, I'm just making a case for racing a healthy horse to the best possible outcome he can achieve -- I'm just afraid that didn't happen in the Belmont Stakes.
28 comments:
BB had a lot going against him in the Belmont, his hoof, training changes, heat, no drugs, but,KD's, ride looked very bad to me. I think the mistake was over estimating BB's ability to take direction during a race, the horse looked confused and tired.
After seeing all the people stories on ESPN, notably Dutrow's, I did have a change of heart about him. Instead of disliking his mouth due to what I thought was a big ego I learned he has a big mouth due to insecurity. I hope he handles losing better than he handled winning.
Here's the exact quotation, as I watch the replay this morning: "Long before we went into the last turn, I had no horse. I could not be fifth, this horse is the best horse I've ever ridden, and something's wrong, so I took care of him."
If the FAA were to investigate the crash at Belmont yesterday they most surely would come back with a verdict of pilot error. It's no surprise to me the front runner won. I just thought it would have been the other speed in the race, Big Brown. In a race with very little speed the chances of a duel were slim to none. Big Brown should have been sent to the front and worked to control the pace. It looked like that is what the horse wanted to do but KD had other ideas. He holds him back hard, checks him up, moves him out and doesn't even press. What a terrible ride. To add to the laziness, it looks like he did not even bother to pick up the form and assess his competitors.
"The only reason to pull up a horse is because he is injured... not because he will only finish fifth or because he can't get to fifth." I have to agree as much as I dislike questioning a jockey's decision especially when it is in the best interest of the horse. If you ask me, Big Brown still wanted to run down the stretch...we have seen many a horse spit the bit and BB wasn't throwing in the towel. He wouldn't have won but why not let the horse give what he wants to give, especially if he isn't injured? Lazy on KDs part, maybe? Who knows? Let's hope the connections give BB a chance to redeem himself (fat chance, I know)
As someone who has been in a very, very similar situation as Desormeaux, I have to respectfully disagree. If you think there is even a chance that your horse is injured or ill, you get off of its back, FAST. There's no point in pushing the horse just to finish the event; the risks are far greater than the benefits. "The horse wanted to run" is bullshit, because horses are too dumb to know what's best for them and often too high on adrenaline to think straight.
If he had beaten him down the stretch for fifth to ninth place and he came out injured, there would have been a huge uproar that he SHOULD have stopped him, or that it was so cruel to make him keep going when he was obviously struggling. And considering where horse racing is sitting at the moment, we DON'T need another PETA fest.
Might I turn reader attention to the fine Sally Jenkins piece on this in today's Washington Post.-- J.S.
But the problem with that theory, Clarice, is he did not get off him fast. He didn't immediately pull him up. And Desormeaux knew he was simply out of gas..."I was done. I had no horse." Exact quote. That's not that same as saying "I thought something might be wrong." He also is quoted as saying, "He's probably just tired. I thought in this horse's best interest, let's just get him back to the barn and recharge his batteries."
Why mention "I could not be fifth"? By saying that, I do think Desormeaux was not motivated by simply the horse's well-being, but disappointment and, yes, laziness. This is not a new thing with Desormeaux. He's had a reputation, as Michael mentioned, going way back.
Sally Jenkins' article is a joke. Every quote she used from Desormeaux is interpreted to shape her pre-conceived argument. Let's make Kent look like a good guy: "The right thing happened: Big Brown didn't want to run, and his jockey didn't ask him to." Right out of the PETA playbook. Thoroughbreds don't actually enjoy running so don't race them. Jeez...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/07/AR2008060702212.html
It was a strange ending for Big Brown and my party of 4 with me at the Belmont all had theories on why he pulled him up. I understand and agree, that Big Brown was done at the final turn and would have probably been finished 7th, 8th or 9th but why didn't Kent simply ease him up and let him gallop across the finish line. (Jockey's do this all the time, and that's fine) But He totally pulled him up and that is strange.
TB Times and Bloodhorse arebreporting today that still nothing appears to be wrong with BB. The connections are saying he will remain in traning and that he will be pointed to the Jim Dandy and then the Travers. It will be all telling if Kent doesn't get the mount!
Frankly, I was a booster of Casino Drive and so wanted him to run and win.
Too bad about the bruise…. I remember reading in William Nack’s book how Sham’s trainer took care of every and all details in preparation for races…
“Martin preceeded him to the ractrack between barns and manure bins and groups of newsmen. Pancho stooped to pick up pebbles and stones in Sham’s path, tossing them aside. Later in the week he hired a man with a broom to walk in front of Sham whenever he went to the racetrack, and the man would briskly sweep the stones away. Pancho was taking no chances.”
so, with a bruised heel and CD out, I was ok then to root for Big Brown to win the race….then what a shocker…. but I have seen so so many horses fail after 2 wins, I was prepared for that.
When you lose a Triple Crown by a nose, as Kent Desormeaux did on Real Quiet in the Belmont in the final stride….. perhaps you feel that moving too soon cost you the race and you certainly won’t do that again….. but in this year’s Belmont, when Big Brown wanted to run and his jockey wouldn’t allow him, perhaps the race was lost there…. instead of relaxing and working with his mount, they were in dispute over tactics….
Lucien Lauren told jockey Turcotte…. to let Secretariat alone, to let him run his own race…. man, did he ever.
A loss is a loss is a loss for whatever the reason…it happens.
Curlin lost to Rags To Riches in the Belmont but went on to win Horse of the Year honors …. and more races…. and has proven his worth and value ….
Will Big Brown get his needed rest now after the grueling 5 week TC challenge and then go on to face more competition to prove his worth?
We can only hope so and wish for a Big Brown/Curlin matchup.
safe
But Kat, when Curlin lost to Rags b/c she beat him.
Big Brown did not finish the Belmont b/c Kent pulled him up, and he's yet to give an acceptable reason as to WHY he did so.
Today according to the DRF, B-H and Tbred Times the horse has checked out fine -- with no problems.
If we start seeing favorites being pulled up only b/c they're just going to finish fourth or fifth or sixth then we're moving in the wrong direction.
that IS true
perhaps he should have just run him out instead of easing back.....
I have no idea what it does to the psyche to know you are sitting on and responsible for "millions of dollars".... perhaps such monies are THE problem with the industry and the decisions made throughout it...from breeding/racing/rearing/training...
as to why Kent pulled him up. my take on the explanation is that he was not concerned with any personal paycheck for himself from the race...but instead wanted to do the most he could for his mount that day, that race
"But the problem with that theory, Clarice, is he did not get off him fast. He didn't immediately pull him up. And Desormeaux knew he was simply out of gas..."I was done. I had no horse." Exact quote. That's not that same as saying "I thought something might be wrong." He also is quoted as saying, "He's probably just tired. I thought in this horse's best interest, let's just get him back to the barn and recharge his batteries."
I still think it was the best thing to pull him up. It's easy to make judgement calls from the grandstands or on the keyboard, but when you're on a horse, in the heat of competition and something is wrong, you really, really don't want to take chances. (Especially if the horse is worth a couple million!) I've pulled out on horses that have turned out to be fine, but I didn't regret it - what if they had been hurt? What if something had been wrong? Better safe than sorry. If the horse isn't hobbling, then slow him down gradually and stop as soon as you can. I'm sure there are other, less honest factors that may have influenced Desormeaux's decision, but no matter how odd or disappointing the outcome may seem, it was probably the best for the horse, and that should be the bottom line.
But urgh. This was a rather headache-inducing triple crown season, wasn't it? Lack of quality, Eight Belles, Dutrow drama, steroid drama, PETA, Big Brown disappointment. Bring on the summer, Curlin, and a better crop of two year olds...please!
again clarice, the problem isn't that kent pulled up, it's that he has failed to give an acceptable reason as to WHY he did so.
all he has said is that the horse wasn't going to finish fifth (as michael has pointed out, it's not 100% clear what that means) and that he was out of gas.
1000s of horses fail to answer when called upon in the stretch or turn -- and that's just not a good enough reason to pull a horse up. period.
"all he has said is that the horse wasn't going to finish fifth (as michael has pointed out, it's not 100% clear what that means) and that he was out of gas."
isn't fifth the lowest spot to be at the finish to win any monies?
if that is indeed the case then I repeat my take on what that staement meant....
as to why Kent pulled him up. my take on the explanation is that he was not concerned with any personal paycheck for himself from the race...but instead wanted to do the most he could for his mount that day, that race
don't the jockeys get 10% of whatever monies are won? ... in which case the jockey may have meant he was more interested in taking care of his mount than in any paycheck there might be in continuing with BB
come on people take a look at the chart. Steadied, stedied, stedied. Was bumped and ended up 7 wide on the first turn (he broke from the 1hole). Ran wide for 7 furlongs asked for run and then dropped back abruptly and then was pulled up. Talk about a troubled trip. The horse got discouraged and lost interest because he had an idiot on his back!
"again clarice, the problem isn't that kent pulled up, it's that he has failed to give an acceptable reason as to WHY he did so.
all he has said is that the horse wasn't going to finish fifth (as michael has pointed out, it's not 100% clear what that means) and that he was out of gas."
The horse didn't feel right. His feet are already extremely fragile. He was laboring. He is worth millions. Racing is currently under huge scrutiny for animal cruelty. Even if the jockey whipped him down the stretch he looked like he would still have finished next to last. It's a good enough reason for me, but the validity of it will probably be disputed forever. Urgh, headache. I think I will refer to this season as "The Triple Crown that Shot Itself in the Foot."
the horse was taken out of the race before the first turn. I would like to know why wouldn't you? If he was worth so much maybe they should not have run him in the first place. This does the industry great harm. Too much speculation, too many disgrunted patrons, too many unanswered questions. If he is a breeding asset then send him to the breeding shed. If he is a race horse then let him run and finish where he is supposed to finish. 1st or 10th or last -so be it - but let the race unfold as it supposed to. The jockey did the wrong thing in steading him so many times and by pulling him up. Sorry for the sour grapes but it looks awfully fishy to me.
Some of the "credit" for Big Brown's poor performance should go Eibar Coa, rider of Tale of Etaki, who forced Desormeaux to take up approaching the first turn, forced Big Brown wide through that turn and down the backstretch, and continued to force Desormeaux's mount wide through the second turn. It seemed to me that Coa's main objective was to keep Big Brown out of the winner's circle, even at the expense of his own mounts chances.
I must say to anonymous that the blame you place on Coa looks pretty off the mark to me.
Watch the race again and you'll see Desormeaux holdin gthe horse back the entire way -- Coa did nothing wrong, he was riding his race.
Thanks for the comments. The more and more I watch the replay of the race, the more and more it looks like this horse just got a horrible ride. And the more I listen to Kent's post race comments (they start at 5:15 in the video below), the less I understand why he pulled him up.
He galloped the horse out to the finish line...if anything was wrong would he have done that? No. He offers no reason other than the "fifth place" excuse, which I still fail to accept as an acceptable reason to pull a horse up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52lcq6bIAf0
yes yes yes
bad bad ride!
I think the lack of Winstrol in BB's system is being a bit downplayed as a potential cause for BB crapping out as well. But I also wholeheartedly concur that Kent delivered a very enigmatic ride and post race excuse.
"We've all seen horses spit the bit..."
BB couldn't spit the bit; his tongue was tied down. Was that standard tack?
I watched the race at a track here in Colorado on TV, & I haven't had a chance to watch it again. But truthfully it seemed Desormeaux had the colt in perfect striking position right before he pulled him. Yes he was a bit wide but he has gone wide in previous races & pulled away. I also can't remember if he ever hit the horse. He hasn't had to in previous races but I don't see why you wouldn't urge the horse on in the biggest race of his career. Then again, maybe it was just like Desormeaux said, he had no horse & saw no point in over-taxing him. We remember what that race did to Rags to Riches last year. That is a very tough distance for most horses.
PS but truthfully if we get a chance to see him run again in the Travers or BC it will be all worth it. You can bet Desormeaux will not be aboard.
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