Maybe that was the end of it for Taiba, but his inexperience was his doom. He looked awful out on the track pre-race, was nervous the whole time. Even once in the gate he was banging around, shortly before they opened.
 

Also Messier faded quickly, leading me to wonder if the Baff-teen horses were negatively affected by not getting lasix when they had gotten it in prior races.

Me either.  Plus I admit I had gotten so used to the front runners winning every year I hadn’t even really considered that a closer might actually win.  Until watching closers win all afternoon that is, but by that point I was too lazy to start handicapping a totally different race.  Of course if I had known we were about to see an 80-1 shot win I might have given it a try but like you said, I never would have landed on Rich Strike.

I’m left wondering if we’ve entered a brave new world without the Lasix and the butt rubs where an honest horse has an honest chance.  At least I hope he was honest.  Nah.  Baffert will be back.

Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Alliance goes into effect in July.  They have a new partner to handle the medications/drugs/punishment schedule which will be nationwide.  Uniformity is a big step in the right direction.

I hope, for the sake of the horses, the sport and the people who are involved, including the bettors, that there is a measurable improvement.

This cracks me up  !

Well every horse is “inexperienced” when it comes to that particular experience. I get it, it’s worse for a horse with two lifetime starts. However, I’ve seen a lot of horses freak out on those kinds of days. A lot of it comes down to temperament. Remember Quality Road at BC?

A few have asked me How this did in the Derby ! Lasix free

First 6 were Lasix free racing,, 8th,,9th, 

Lasix users were  Tawny Port 7th, Zozos 10th,Taibia 12th, Happy Jack 14th, Charge It 17th,
Cyberknife 18th Place, last 2 Wins were on Lasix,, 19th Pioneer Of Medina. Check out
who the Trainers are. 
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I am not sure what the insinuation on the lasix is.  I would guess some are inferring running on Lasix is affecting them later?  I would interpret that as more those horse were not running well enough to run in races where lasix is banned and used lasix in lesser races where it is allowed.

13 raced without Lasix. 7 used lasix in some races, Why did those 7 trainers use Lasix, are they bleeders ?

You said :

I would interpret that as more those horse were not running well enough to run in races where lasix is banned and used lasix in lesser races where it is allowed.

I suggest what you said is one might think it helps their performance in the lesser races and I suggest maybe they are masking something to give them a boost for their next race a lasix free race with time wears off for detection. I can't sit here and say they are cheating, It makes me wonder maybe they are and why does Cyberknife run with lasix every other race up tp certain race before he finally runs good  in a sanctioned race and runs so crappy in the big dance without lasix. It bothers me when Pletcher gets many of the well bred horses
I really like and races them with Lasix their first  2 races or first race, why not lasix free, Why.

I think  Mo Donegal may have been his only Horse that raced without Lasix, I ask why is that , I don't get it.

Maybe the 13 without Lasix  were up against it and the first 6 finishers from that group were the best horses 

and didn't need help from a vet. We really do not know, But Maybe.......

Like Steve, I couldn't have picked Rich Strike to win, regardless of time spent handicapping.  I didn't hear a single analyst give him a chance, and no one on this forum either.  I did predict a fast pace, and thought a dead closer could win, and that's why I included Mo in all my tickets.  I really think the jock made the difference, bravely took the rail, and timed it perfectly.  Also, the track looked a little wet right before the race, and perhaps the rail was the best place to be?

I think this race proved that the new gate is fair.