Glad to see him have "the big day". He really appears to be a "class act".
Two Stories regarding Mandella:
When the WTC was at Gulfstream recently he appeared on the Hank Goldberg show. Goldberg asked him if the success that Baffert was having caused other trainers to look at how they did things.
Mandella—Certainly when someone is successful we as a group look at how they do things as compared to what you yourself is doing.
Goldberg—And what did you learn?
Mandella—Don't change a thing.
One more story. A friend (we will call him Joe)worked for him about 15-20 years ago as a groom. Like most any other trainer running a public stable things were week-to-week. After the morning cleanup was finished Joe went to Mandella and said, "Boss its been a couple of weeks since I've been paid I could really use some cash".
Mandella said fine I understand, be back at the barn after todays 6th race and I'll take care of you. Joe said he walked away and about 10 minutes later it dawned on him that the barn had a horse in the 6th race. He went by the track kitchen and rustled up a couple of bucks from some pals to make a bet.
Mandella made payroll that day.
I think he'll be a able to make payroll this week.
I put Baffert in that category of trainers that tends to work his horses too hard and fast. I think that style tends to get young horses to peak sooner, but not last.