Observer
04-10-2001, 06:01 PM
According to a story on drf.com, Zucker was agonizing over whether to run Crafty C.T. in the Santa Anita Derby. Apparently the horse had been going off his feed at times since his win in the San Rafael. Unfortunately, he regained his appetite after running second to Point Given in the Santa Anita Derby, in which he did look 200-300 pounds below a suitable weight.
Zucker didn't feel the horse was at his peak coming into the Santa Anita Derby, and what a shame. The racing world didn't get a fair shot at a true confrontation between these two horses. And some of us, who believed Crafty C.T. would be fully cranked for a top notch effort, were disappointed. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this horse in the post parade.
But this just goes to show, there are always things going on behind barn doors we'll never know, or at least not know until they get out into the paddock or out onto the track. And sometimes that's too late, especially for the national betting public.
Crafty C.T. is expected to return in June, depending on how he comes along with his weight and his interest in work.
Zucker didn't feel the horse was at his peak coming into the Santa Anita Derby, and what a shame. The racing world didn't get a fair shot at a true confrontation between these two horses. And some of us, who believed Crafty C.T. would be fully cranked for a top notch effort, were disappointed. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this horse in the post parade.
But this just goes to show, there are always things going on behind barn doors we'll never know, or at least not know until they get out into the paddock or out onto the track. And sometimes that's too late, especially for the national betting public.
Crafty C.T. is expected to return in June, depending on how he comes along with his weight and his interest in work.