Did the trainer ever explain how it was in "honor" of the analyist? Like does the guy actually love grape soda, or why the trainer thought the name was "in honor"of? From the response of the black gentleman, it doesn't seem like they had the friendship basis for playful banter.

If you google Grape Soda it will come up about the trainer.. 

I'm with you.  I keep thinking "please say you're kidding."

I remember when a friend got in a lot of trouble who worked with the County.  You know the term "jerry-rigged" often used as  "N_____-rigged" years ago.  Well, without thinking she used that second one talking about her husband working on her car.  A black co-worker felt she had to report this to supervision and it was just sad and unnecessary.  This sweet lady meant nothing detrimental.

I would be glad to have a horse named after me lol even if it was because they didn't like me.

I'm still asking my origional question. Has the trainer explained anywhere how the name was in "honor" of the analyist. I understand the " negative connotation" behind grape soda. I've read some of the trainer's comments and tweets about the situation, I just wondered if I had missed an explination of how this could be anything but a racist slur given the apparent amniosity between the two.

It would interesting to know though how a bottle of soda becomes a racial slur....a grape flavored carbonated drink.   Chocolate Soldier maybe I could understand a little but geez.

As i understand it-

1st tweet from trainer "This colt will run next week and has a unique name in honor of a TVG analyst". That comment was followed by a black fist emoji

2nd tweet anwsering a question about what the colts name was "grape soda"

next day was a tweet about the "horse's workout was menthol kool" and a black thumbs up emoji

The trainer origionally said that the name was because of his love of grape soda as a child, but later gave an interview where he claimed "I did nothing wrong but be a common comedian, and my skin is a little too light to be joking about grape sodas, thats all. If Chris Rock or David Chappelle had said it, it would be ok"

While I don't attempt to say I know why someone did a specific action/ or made a specific comment (only that person can answer that) - it seems like the trainer made a serious effort to bring in the "black" part of the issue. The words "grape soda" or "menthol Kool" alone - I don't see the racial slur. Accompinied by the specific black emojis, other comments, and the known amniosity between them??? Optics do seem to be sliding that way. You can judge for yourself how you feel about it.

I  HAD NO idea that was even a thing. OMG.  this is crazy. 

When I was pregnant with my 2nd child. . .I CRAVED grape soda like crazy. 

I was given a serious talking to for referencing a "flip chart" during a presentation.  Apparently it has Phillipino racial undertones.

That's a different situation then. If there was a negative spin on it - then shame on the trainer    I misunder and thought maybe it was a light hearted banter