fun seeing two guys whom I respect trade commentary
/DWC23 -
this year was a bit weaker from the US contingent. A sometimes as potent as ever Baffert sent a sometimes as good as ever Country Grammer, but that was the extent of our horses entered.
I only watched the finish, but did not notice Country Grammer (alright.. he was sitting 4th far turn).
It looked like Bendoog and Remorse (both Bhupat Seemar runners) ran solid performances on a pace and performance attempt that was too much for their lack of talent and class.
Then the best of the Japanese contingent ( Algiers (IRE) ) made first run, and then a good closer of theirs flowed up late to win at an even better price than Algiers.
basically the same song;
Japan sent some hard-hitters, we had 1 horse who Baffert would consider a 'B' or 'C' among his stakes horses.
A few other decent runners entered, but aside from field size and purse, it would be considered
weak for G1, unless you really reach to look at it from the perspective of it being a G1 Japanese race.