The stigma of finishing last

When your horse finishes last, nobody really cares to know why . Even though there are valid reasons, even though under the circumstances it was better than forcing her into 6th or 7th...nooooobody cares. Here's a typical conversation :

What you say ( with anticipation): How did Northern Cotton do ?

What I say (quietly) : She finished last

What you say (hesitatingly) : Oh

What I say (with a bit of confidence) : Well she did finish last but she started well then got mud in her face. She didn't like that so she lifted her head and slowed up and  given that she hadn't raced for a long time the jockey held her up and just let her run out the race...that's why she came in last.

What you hear : Well she did finish last but... la, la, la, do, dee , do dee doooo, zuuuppa, zuuuuppa, boom chackalakalaka,  boom chakalakalaka,...that's why she came in last.

I will never look at a last place horse the same way again