Bailey and the mythical 'Mine that Bird' trip

[mountainman]

Jerry Bailey's telestrated revision of the Preakness was ridiculous. Weaving a superimposed line through places no real horse could fit, Bailey flat out stated that Borel would have won on Mine that Bird. Aside from the obvious unfairness to Mike Smith-who must wonder just where these imaginary openings were- Bailey's demonstration further fueled the newborn myth that a closer's success normally hinges on some jockey's blood oath to save every inch of ground for the entire journey. Even after the Belmont, Bailey was still babbling about which horses did and didn't get the 'Mine that Bird' trip. Never mind that the distance, track configuration, surface and pace were all radically different than for the derby. Bailey clearly felt-and , sadly, many fans buy into this nonsense-that the same trip and explosive kick were at Borel's disposal had he simply ridden the Belmont like it was the deja vu Kentucky Derby.

[strapper]

I agree. I thought he was out of line with that one.

[onefast99]

I have also seen the same thing used this year to illustrate the defensive players movements in the NBA finals. It seems the word "if" has taken on a new meaning.

[Robert Fischer]

Flying Private effectively controlled the inside lane in the Preakness and Smith couldn't go through him...

[andymays]

I think Bailey probably retired too soon. I thought his comments were out of line. That being said he reminds me a little of Johnny Miller (Golfer turned Golf Commentator) in his critisism of his former colleagues. A little too harsh sometimes!

[SMOO]

I think Bailey probably retired too soon. I thought his comments were out of line. That being said he reminds me a little of Johnny Miller (Golfer turned Golf Commentator) in his critisism of his former colleagues. A little too harsh sometimes!

True, but I'll still take that over the guys who refuse to ever say a bad thing about anyone in their profession.

[46zilzal]

Look at history, late closers do not win the number of races they should as timing is everything and it doesn't work out as often as it should.
Silky, Concern, Cefis, Strike the Gold, etc etc

[OFFandRUNNING10]

I have watched the replay of that race many many times, from different cameras as well, and there was absolutely no inside lane for mike smith to take. no lane opened up until well after he had made the move to the outside. if he would have gone on the rail he would have been held up for far to long before being able to break free. i am all for voicing an opinion on something when a mistake occurs...it happens. however this was not a mistake. he didnt get the ideal trip...thats part of racing...and thats a big part of being a closer. being that far back is of course going to put you into traffic jams from time to time. it wasnt the first time and it wont be the last

[Fingal]

I think Bailey probably retired too soon. I thought his comments were out of line. That being said he reminds me a little of Johnny Miller (Golfer turned Golf Commentator) in his critisism of his former colleagues. A little too harsh sometimes!

After that segment I thought he was contemplating a comeback & was lobbying for the mount on Mine That Bird.

Hindsight is always 20 / 20.:rolleyes:

[Tom]

It still beat the hell of the pick up truck piece.:bang:

[thruncy]

Main objective is to make money as a sports/horseracing commentator. A tried and true approach to this is to stir up contoversy--even when there's only a shred or none of it--thereby attracting attention and building an audience,thereby raising ratings, thereby...etc.;etc. Remember Howard Cossell? And he never even "played the game." But reactionary folks paid attention. And they always will. They need leaders to do their thinking for them so that they too can have an opinion.

[SMOO]

Main objective is to make money as a sports/horseracing commentator. A tried and true approach to this is to stir up contoversy--even when there's only a shred or none of it--thereby attracting attention and building an audience,thereby raising ratings, thereby...etc.;etc. Remember Howard Cossell? And he never even "played the game." But reactionary folks paid attention. And they always will. They need leaders to do their thinking for them so that they too can have an opinion.
I noticed also that Jerry is still selling those dvds, does not hurt to have a more recognized name among casual race fans even if it bothers some.

[46zilzal]

I noticed also that Jerry is still selling those dvds, does not hurt to have a more recognized name among casual race fans even if it bothers some.
For true grandstanders who never actually ventured into the world of racing, the HARD WORK SIDE, his DVD's is informative.

[fmolf]

Main objective is to make money as a sports/horseracing commentator. A tried and true approach to this is to stir up contoversy--even when there's only a shred or none of it--thereby attracting attention and building an audience,thereby raising ratings, thereby...etc.;etc. Remember Howard Cossell? And he never even "played the game." But reactionary folks paid attention. And they always will. They need leaders to do their thinking for them so that they too can have an opinion.
hopefully the jockeys still riding will continue to talk to him.....tiki barber had this problem after throwing tom coughlin and some teammates under the bus after he left...i thought bailey was overly critical...we have become a trash talking society as the accepted norm now

[menifee]

When you ride like this, you can be as critical as you want:
l3niz2N5CAE

Sorry can't figure out how to embed.

[ManeMediaMogul]

"They are incredible...Their hat size, shoe size and I.Q. are all the same number."
Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham on jockeys

[GMB@BP]

"They are incredible...Their hat size, shoe size and I.Q. are all the same number."
Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham on jockeys

thats pretty funny

[the little guy]

I think, in all fairness, after Calvin Borel's ride on Saturday, Bailey should come back on and suggest that perhaps had Calvin ridden Mine That Bird in the Preakness his finish would have likely been worse and not better.

[JimG]

I think, in all fairness, after Calvin Borel's ride on Saturday, Bailey should come back on and suggest that perhaps had Calvin ridden Mine That Bird in the Preakness his finish would have likely been worse and not better.

Or perhaps Bailey could come back with his telestrator and demonstrate that if Mike Smith would have rode him in the Belmont, like he did in the Preakness the horse would have won. Or better yet, Bailey could take the telestrator and...

[BIG49010]

I thought it was good, and I hope they show it in every jock room in the country. We need more jocks that are not afraid to come up the rail, too many take the wide safe route in my opinion, and get beat by inches.

I know Calvin probably got caught up in the moment and was a fish out of water in NYC, but run that race at CD, and he wins.

[Bruddah]

It still beat the hell of the pick up truck piece.:bang:

Tom, I gottta give you an Amen Bruddah on the pick up piece. To me, that was the worse piece of crap I have seen on television. (bar none) Especially anything to do with horse racing. I sort of expect sh*t like that from Kenny Mayne. However, if I were Chip Wooley, I would be seeking the advice of my attorney. Surely, he has some recourse to sue. If it is ever replayed, the producer showing it should be banned from sports entertainment. If I said it just plain sucked, I would be kind in my critique. :p

[Bruddah]

I think, in all fairness, after Calvin Borel's ride on Saturday, Bailey should come back on and suggest that perhaps had Calvin ridden Mine That Bird in the Preakness his finish would have likely been worse and not better.

I think in all fairness, we need to go to the archives and review some of Bailey's losing rides with the telestrator. If he thinks Borel was cocky while in New York, he just needs to look in the mirror. He's a pompus "little ass" in my humble opinion.

It comes down to this; Unless a jock makes a glaringly obvious mistake, it's all speculation. These guys make instantaneous decisions on 1200#+ animals. Sometimes you're right and sometimes you're wrong. That's horse racing and Jerry Bailey, if anyone, should know it.

[PaceAdvantage]

Tom, I gottta give you an Amen Bruddah on the pick up piece. To me, that was the worse piece of crap I have seen on television. (bar none) Especially anything to do with horse racing. I sort of expect sh*t like that from Kenny Mayne. However, if I were Chip Wooley, I would be seeking the advice of my attorney. Surely, he has some recourse to sue. If it is ever replayed, the producer showing it should be banned from sports entertainment. If I said it just plain sucked, I would be kind in my critique. :pI liked it...sorry...but it made me laugh. Almost anything Kenny Mayne does makes me laugh.

And it was fun to see Chip Wooley play along and display a sense of humor as well about the whole thing.

Mayne was poking fun at the NBC commentators who asked Wooley about nothing but pickup trucks and the trip across country with MTB.

You boys need to lighten up and smile every now and then...

[strapper]

Bailey was the best in the last decade of his career but all jockeys make mistakes at one time or another, depends on how a race develops. It takes quick decisions. When you are riding well, with confidence, you tend to make the right moves. Borel is usually a top rider but he erred in the Belmont. He'll come back and put up more brilliant rides, just as Mike Smith will do. But Borel is more daredevil than Smith at this point in time.

[Stevie Belmont]

Who is kidding who? Borel was into Mine That Bird 5 furlongs out...Of course he moved to soon...Did it cost MTB the race? Who knows, but there is no doubt that Calvin put his horse in the race way to early. Argue, disagree, whatever...Bailey was right on, and he usually is...

[ghostyapper]

Listening to bailey give his opinion or analyzing races, you would think he just started following the game 2 years ago rather than being 1 of the all time winningest jockey's.

The whole espn team is god awful except for privman

[tribecaagent]

Randy Moss?

[46zilzal]

Listening to bailey give his opinion or analyzing races, you would think he just started following the game 2 years ago rather than being 1 of the all time winningest jockey's.

The whole espn team is god awful except for Privman
It must be much more difficult for a person known for his physical prowess to try and translate that into verbal ability.

[the little guy]

Randy Moss?

I was going to ask the same question. Randy's great.

[Cat Thief]

Yeh Charlie had some great quotes. If you read his autobiography you will get alot of laughs

[rrbauer]

Who is kidding who? Borel was into Mine That Bird 5 furlongs out...Of course he moved to soon...Did it cost MTB the race? Who knows, but there is no doubt that Calvin put his horse in the race way to early. Argue, disagree, whatever...Bailey was right on, and he usually is...

There was a piece with Wooley, I think with Jeanine Edwards, where he analyzed some of the Bird's previous races and showed how the animal relaxed early when covered up and with other horses and then just took off when he saw daylight and the lead. You could see that tendency in the Belmont off the turn when the horse just exploded to the lead. It's true that he was being urged at the time.

I'm amazed at the flak directed at Wooley. Anyone who has hauled a trailer from New Mexico to Louisville (I have) and came away with a nice piece of a million bucks (I wish) should have the respect of everybody ever associated with the business including horseplayers. How many $10K geldings did the Lukas', Baffert's, Pletcher's, et al, ever get into a stakes race let alone a triple crown event?

[ryesteve]

I liked it...sorry...but it made me laugh. Almost anything Kenny Mayne does makes me laugh.

And it was fun to see Chip Wooley play along and display a sense of humor as well about the whole thing.
Since everyone else seems to hate the piece, let me say that I agree with you... and I pretty much find anything Kenny Mayne does to be pretty funny. Mayne Street is better than 95% of the sitcoms on TV.

And yeah, I came away with a much better impression of Wooley, compared with how he came across after the Derby.

[Stevie Belmont]

The one big problem I have with ESPN/ABC...Is the way the change camera angles during the race. It's terrible. They have a overhead view turning for home, than they go to a close up at the top of the stretch and than they do the wider pan shot. It's a joke. It's impossible to keep track of the horses and where they are. They need to keep the camera on the wide pan, or just use the NYRA feed.

[andymays]

The one big problem I have with ESPN/ABC...Is the way the change camera angles during the race. It's terrible. They have a overhead view turning for home, than they go to a close up at the top of the stretch and than they do the wider pan shot. It's a joke. It's impossible to keep track of the horses and where they are. They need to keep the camera on the wide pan, or just use the NYRA feed.

Agree! The European style race views drive me nuts!

Hey, why don't we copy everything they do in Europe(polytrack, socialism, no deoderant, and bad Camera angles)!

The ride wasn't horrible but it wasn't great either. On a scale of 1-10 I give it a 4!

[toetoe]

polytrack, socialism and bad Camera angles



Three of four now. We're on our way. :jump: .

[ryesteve]

When did this board change from "General Racing" to "General Jingoism"?

[andymays]

When did this board change from "General Racing" to "General Jingoism"?


Maybe you're right. I went too far and took a cheap shot. My apologies to those who were offended.

[joanied]

Since everyone else seems to hate the piece, let me say that I agree with you... and I pretty much find anything Kenny Mayne does to be pretty funny. Mayne Street is better than 95% of the sitcoms on TV.

And yeah, I came away with a much better impression of Wooley, compared with how he came across after the Derby.

I stated in another post I thought that pickup truck peice was pretty lame...but, I have to admit, when they talked about 'where they were' and Woolley mentioned his GPS being stolen...I laughed. I still think it was kinda stupid...but it did shed new light on Woolley because I thought he must have a really good sense of humor to agree to do this thing.
Woolley=:ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

[Bruddah]

I was going to ask the same question. Randy's great.

Randy Moss is the most knowledgable Horse Racing commentator on Television today. He knows his facts/information and can articulate it to his audience, whether they are newbies or old hard boots. His journalistic background serves him well. (JMHO) :ThmbUp:

[joanied]

I agree on Randy Moss...he rates :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: with me...he is the best. I also like Pincay Jr. and also Jeff Siegle is good.

As for Bailey...I mentioned before that I like some of the stuff he does...the little segments he does about a jock's perspective during a race, his segments about the little things the casual fan doesn't know...goggle changing, being in the gate, he does that very well, and it's something 'they' need to do more of.
I still think he has a huge ego...but hey, I don't know the man, so I guess I shouldn't try and evaluate his personality (I read his book, 'Against the Odds', and really enjoyed it)...
maybe his 'virtual graphics' of MTB's rides was right on....but I still beleive he was putting down Mike Smith, and that I don't like at all...maybe if Smith had really screwed up his ride on MTB, but IMO, he gave that little horse as good a ride as anyone could have, even Calvin.