Image Conscious - The Consumate Professional

[Tavasco]

In an article in today\'s TDN regarding aftermath of Belmont day how horses are doing and where they are headed. After reporting Destin & Stradivari doing fine the following..

Pletcher added that Gettysburg, who he trained up to a week ago, will remain in the Asmussen barn. \"I spoke to (WinStar president and CEO) Elliott (Walden) this
morning and I think it is probably best - I don\'t think it is a good look if he comes back to us really. I think it is better if it doesn\'t happen,\" Pletcher explained.

Just caught my attention and reminded me that the barn switch for Gettysburg likely to be a historical footnote in equine history.

[miff]

Story from backside is that TAP refused to enter Gettysburg in the Belmont so Walden switched barns to Asmussen. Obviously the idea was to liven the pace for Creator and Winstar bound Exaggerator. With such a nose finish,its a fair assumption that with no Gettysburg in the race Destin may have wired. The difference in being alone vs vying on the lead(regardless of splits) MAY have got Deatin home a tad faster.Dont buy the ground theory that Destin may have won being on rail vs 2 path with no Gettyburg in there.

After some made a stink over the musical barn switch, TAP thought it best not to accept Gettysburg back.