[lsosa54]

Trot: I agree in some of these big races that a jock can make a difference but I think circumstances and luck are usually the main culprits.

On the win side, I saw only 3 horses that could win: Dullahan, Paynter, and Union Rags, based on figs.

I added two that I thought could place: Street Life and Atigun.

I guess I should have played the tri and super? My Paynter-Atigun box looked good there for about 8 seconds!

Listen, I think all jocks make mistakes. LeParoux is a fine young rider and Johhnie V and Smith are Hall of Fame types.

Think about how Smith feels? He led 95% of the triple crown and didn't get one win! He's won a ton of races going to the left handed whip and yesterday it probably cost him the win. I'm sure he saw Atigun looming and probably went left handed and it let Union sneak by.

Johnnie V got caught up a couple of times and got lucky when the rail opened up. Great rider with some luck.

Did LeParoux move too soon with Atigun or was the horse just not good enough? He didn't have the figs for me to win so his hanging is not shocking.

What about Dullahan? Do we say that Romans and Castellano are awful (they are not) or was he the most ridiculous favorite in a big race. Yes, he had the figs, but had NEVER won on dirt. Maybe he's best on poly or turf?

While I agree that a top jock helps, I think you're being too hard on LeParoux. I don't consider Gutierrez a great jock but he did fine on IHA. Chaos is always something we deal with.

By the way, I think Desormeaux when mentally and physically right, can ride with anyone.