I would think they would be happy to be third in a big race like that.
When they mentioned that horse won the Santa Anita Derby when he was going in the gate, I said oh oh that would warrant a bet. I don't pay much attention to the horses anymore but that is a big race and the winner certainly deserves consideration.
You can bet any trainer who has trained at Waterford Park is ecstatic to be 3rd in the Derby; any jockey who has never had a Derby mount before is thrilled to death.