Here are some additional comments from Pletcher I found in my local newspaper . . .
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Almost immediately after the Derby, Pletcher spoke about how impressively his horse rebounded from the difficult race [Kentucky Derby]. He maintained that tune each day and even joked about how rambunctious Always Dreaming was during a spirited workout at Pimlico.
Then, on the day before the race, Pletcher declared:
"The way he's moving, the way he's acting, the way he's getting over the track, we feel really blessed that he's coming into the race this way."
Turns out, Always Dreaming really wasn't ready for such a quick turnaround.
"He didn't seem to relish the track, but I don't really think that was it," Pletcher said. "Just put too much into the Derby. It wasn't meant to be today."
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A quick review of the Bris pace and speed rating suggests the horse throttled back:
E1 98;
E2 98;
LP 91 -
1c +8;
2c -2, and a video review shows Johnny V, takin' a peek back and tuckin' the whip away, so its kinda hard to accept Mr. Pletcher's comments "Just too much in the Derby."
I don't have any doubt this seasoned Hall of Fame Eclipse winning horseman really knows what happened, just difficult for him to say AD was
outclassed by a better horse - politics n'all, kinda makes it difficult . . . as truthful comments can damage the relationships between trainer, owners and breeders not to mention the future stud value of the horse.
If these two ever meet again, CE and AD, AD will not forget CE, and CE will not forget AD and in a fairly run race, CE will always best AD. All things considered, it was a fun race to watch, them two hookin' up like that right from the start, made for good hoss' racin!
Thanks for your nice feedback, I try to make my posts meaningful.
