When the great abominations of the 21st Century are tabulated, beginning with the attack on the World Trade Center, genocide in Africa, the reign of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the War in Iraq, reality televison, the presidency of George W. Bush and the candidacy of Barak Obama, there will be a place for the disqualification of Admiral Bird in Friday’s fifth race at Belmont Park, probably the worse call by the New York stewards since the disqualification of Kiri’s Clown a decade or so ago.
Admiral Bird, who was no more guilty of a foul on Independence Day than his namesake, was disqualified after a fairly easy victory when Eibar Coa, who rode Doc N Roll, alleged interference. In no shape or form did Admiral Bird, who was ridden by Alan Garcia, impede Coa’s mount, who was caught in tight quarters in a scramble for second, which went to My Man Lars, the adjudicated winner.
At first glance, Coa’s claim appeared frivolous, an impression sustained by a second, third and fourth examination of the replay, both from the pan and head-on angles. Perhaps the steward were reviewing a different race because unless Coa was knocked off balance by the breeze when Admiral Bird ran past Doc N Roll well above the wire, there was neither contact nor incidental impediment caused by the horse who finished first.
The stewards are charged with the protection of the betting public, which in this case was more clearly a victim of injustice than Coa and Doc N Roll. --PM
Friday, July 4, 2008
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6 comments:
I couldn't agree more. It's absolutely ridiculous the inconsistancies in these stewards rulings...I only hope that some others realize how much the stewards rule in FAVOR of Eibar Coa. I wonder which one if not ALL of them he has in is pocket!!!! If I were Christoph, Alan or the owners I would be furious!!!
I bet on Admiral Bird to show. I have never felt more violated in my life by a steward's poor decision. I've been going to the races for about 33 years. This decision was bush league.
The Admiral Bird DQ was a good DQ. In the shadow of the wire Admiral Bird ducked in taking Doc and Roll's path and action away and caused two other horses to be crowded. Why should the stewards allow horses to impede other horses in the critical final furlong near the shadow of the wire? Admiral Bird's actions near the wire not only affected the finish but placed other horses and jockeys in peril.
DQ's like this are not only justified but protect the public and the other jocks/horses from future shenanigans near the wire. This decision protects the public and jocks from rough house riding tactics which could be used to decide races on a regular basis.
If Admiral Bird does not duck in the result could have been very different. The stewards are more than justified to move his number down as cutting off surging competition near the wire is not the way horse races are won.
Another bad take down! These so called protectors of the betting public should be held accountable to the public they "protect" by explaining their actions in detail.
The time has come!
With the exception of the gratuitous and totally uncalled-for inclusion of Barack Obama, that's one of the greatest leads I've read!
Belmont stewards are the least educated bunch who are doing a lot of injustice to the punters. If you watch the Admiral Bird’s race replay a hundred times, Coa was the one who was creating a lot of problem to other runners. Admiral Bird had done no serious damage to change the outcome of the race. Admiral Bird was the best horse and the stewards did injustice to the Trainer, Owner, jockey and the betting public. Belmont Stewards need to go back to school to learn the basic of horse racing.
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