As CJ said, Stevens and Smith have known Flores for MANY years, and were asked for their "Expert" opinions knowing full well what they would say.
Then using their "opinion" as an excuse to reinstate Flores, which is what they (the board of stewards) wanted to do in the first place.
It's like asking a cop if another cop did something wrong.
The most often used method of giving a non-trying ride, is to not try or take back early, then put on a little show in the stretch (in front of the crowd) knowing that your not going to get up for the win (or placing).
In this case Flores didn't try early then didn't care late.
Just another normal ride for him.
"IMO if they had seem David ride throughout his career I think they might have understood his ride that day was very similar to thousands of others he has given. "
This is true. And why he has never been even close to "HOF Caliber".
And why he would never have survived there, or anyplace where the bettors getting their moneys worth, ........... is the Rule.
Obviously the U.S. isn't one of those places !
