Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpCat
Your mistaking this horse as a speed horse. In his 1st 3 wins he was next to last, next to last and last after a 1/4 mile. Just a quick glance at all his pp's shows he was on the lead 3 times after a 1/4 mile. The other 10 races he was no where near the lead after a 1/4 mile.
Obviously he ran 3 of his best races on the lead, but outside of those 3 races he's never been quick enough to make the lead. Definitely more the horse than the jockey.
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I wouldn't say he's not quick enough after the pace he set in the San Diego while establishing a clear lead over Maximum Security (who had some trouble entering the backstretch).
Espinoza clearly held the horse off the pace passing the stands the first time with his feet on the dashboard. He even took a hold going around the first turn. The horse was eager down the backstretch.
It didn't look too nefarious as perhaps it was the game plan to stalk based on concerns for distance limitations, but all it did was allow Maximum Security to waltz along once again on a relatively unpressured pace. The race really didn't reveal anything new about Maximum Security. Still based on earlier races he seems vulnerable with real pace pressure.
Unfortunately, Baffert also trains Improbable and Authentic who are probably the two most talented horses capable of making Maximum Security run early. Might be another merry-go-round BC Classic a la 2004, 2015, and 2017. Hopefully they'll run that Godolphin speed freak on the dirt after the Arc.
