Why is bodemeister not in the belmont

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Bodemeister will not be making the trip to the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

Shortly after Saturday's race, however, Bodemeister's trainer Bob Baffert announced after the race that the horse will not make the trip to the Belmont Stakes on June 9. I'll Have Another has Bodemeister -- only he won't at the Belmont.

The extra three weeks of rest running in the Haskell will provide might be the best decision for Bodemeister. He was used hard in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, leading each race from the start before being run down in the final yards by I'll Have Another.

Perhaps the Belmont's 1. The decision to have Bodemeister skip the Belmont, though, might not be the best decision for the race itself. Or for the sport. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Filed under:. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. This is the equivalent of the best team losing their best player in the playoffs, then another team winning the championship, which makes fans look back and say "Well, they wouldn't have won if so-and-so didn't go down. This seems to me like Baffert threw a temper tantrum when his horse faltered at the end for the second consecutive race and was fed up with the thoroughbred not being able to close out races.

This isn't a case when a coach pulls an aging veteran out of the game to save him the embarrassment of being dominated by the younger, better players in the game. This is a horse. This horse does not know what was at stake or what he lost.

Bodemeister certainly doesn't know that he cost Baffert a couple of million dollars by not being able to hold off I'll Have Another.

This is purely a human being wanting to save himself the humiliation of losing three consecutive races to a horse that his was supposedly better than. It would not hurt Bodemeister's feelings if he lost at the Belmont, and he would go back to the stable and eat his oats like nothing happened. But, Baffert is being selfish and his actions will mar the most impressive performance of I'll Have Another's career.