Originally posted on 06/08/2014:

lets say they change to allow only the KD entries in the other 2 races, does he really think he would win 3 races in a row against 20 horse fields?.. That's making it harder not easier and increases injury risk to the horses.

these are developing animals that need to be peaking over those 5 weeks not racecars that just swap a part out for the next race. some horses have been injured in prior races or in training so they cant get the points needed- why should these owners be prohibited in the latter two races because of injury? or the horse not being developed/mature enough?

once the other 19 horses lose the Derby they cant win the Triple Crown so his theory only pertains to the Derby winner..as an owner of non winning derby why should they be forced to risk injury when the biggest Racing Jewels for 3 yr olds(KD & TC) are no longer attainable and target being healthy and competitive for the horses next start

so whats his stance on horses that have enough points but are #21 or # 22 but there are no scratches to get them in the Derby?--so these owners are supposed to pay 3 entries for qualifying for the 3 races and then not be allowed to run? Or they qualified but don't make the derby but a scratch gets them in Preakness or Belmont and they win? Are they cheaters/cowards too? Plus these horses still require training, food, housing, etc Bills need to get paid.

and yes they do have a target on their back but so does the champion in every other sport- Coburn is taking the "target thing" personally. Its one thing if two jockeys conspired to just keep CC from winning by intentional interference rather than trying to focus on winning outright but they are jockeys not owners and it would be their last race ever if such nonsense were attempted.

He is exactly the guy who if he had lost the derby would be doing whatever he could to prep his horse to win one of the latter two races and prevent a TC winner by being a spoiler-. That is a completely natural thing and is everywhere...look at all the football & other sports teams who cant make the playoffs trying to win to keep other teams out of playoffs too. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and teams/players openly call themselves "Spoilers" and it keeps the integrity of competition in order.

No one forced Mr Coburn to race in all 3 races but he was chasing the ultimate in horse racing where several things need to go right for many many weeks and rather than be thankful for havin a 1 in a million horse and being in a position where many others in the sport have spent their life pursuing and not making it- when the final piece of Racing luck failed to fall his way... he chose to attack his defeater