[pmayjr]

It's because it's the one race where every owner feels if they got a chance to run in it, they do. I'd like to think that most owners when presented with other opportunities would come to their senses and not subject their horses to this race when they don't have a chance in hell. But this race makes everyone think crazy. And the way the race has been wide-open in recent years with longshots winning, its tough to blame them for having a shred of hope. I'm pretty sure this year will finally buck that trend, but tough to blame any owner for not trying. As I said, hopefully his connections rest him until July if he gets his butt kicked.

But seriously DaHoss, of course you're right. I'm trying to think- beside Lost in the Fog off the top of my head, what 3 year-old contender that probably would've had enough graded money was taken off the trail because he wasn't good enough or probably couldn't go the distance? I mean taken off for reasons beside injury?