Equally he is no doubt about the horse's eligibility, and his record in the race commands utmost respect - a good deal more, perhaps, than Ladbrokes showed in offering 16-1.
One explanation offered by some for their hostility was that the race commanded resources that they said should have gone to those suffering on Staten Island and in the Rockaways.
Ms. Wyman, for instance, though not often mentioned for other state or Congressional races, commands unusually strong support from state labor unions, which would give her formidable muscle in any challenge to Mr. Rowland.
"As soon as the importance of winning the race takes command, the sun is blotted out, the black clouds descend, and before you know it you are wearing an angry scowl and can see no farther than the bow of the boat, if that far," he wrote.
Though he may want to sound like a front-runner, the reality is that he has neither the organization nor money that a front-runner in a national race usually commands.
Mr. White, who ran a cerebral race that commanded the advertising airwaves, vowed to turn his campaign into a "civic movement" to tackle the traffic, budget, flooding and police woes in Houston, the fourth most populous city in the nation.
He also owns half of Unbridled's Song, one of the most successful sires in thoroughbred racing, who commands a $100,000 stud fee.
He owns half of Unbridled's Song, who is one of the most successful sires in thoroughbred racing and commands a $125,000 stud fee.
