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Originally Posted by mountainman
Here's a thought on how Gatewood might have doubled that 21 L margin: instead of 11 and change to the six-call..he could have hit it in 1:07 (and still, of course, duplicated his actual come-home fraction)..or, how about this? Since there was soooooo much left in the tank late, he could have run the last 70 yards in 4/5 of a second (instead of his actual 4.91). Or how about a first-half in 42?? Or opening quarter in 19 and change? Since the horse could have run that much faster, I'll remember to add 40 points to whatever beyer he is assigned..and in that manner get a "true" gauge of his ability.
Here is a novel thought for you: Had Gatewood been urged, or allowed, to set faster splits, his final time would have been SLOWER, not quicker. And reserve energy through the stretch is always less that it appears when horses romp to wide-margin wins. Some even LIKE running against the bit, or under a snug hold. When a horse is indeed full of run, such restraint only ENCOURAGES them to go faster. Rerun Tuesday's race, throw gatewood's head away at about the 3/16 pole, let the jock start beating him, and see how fast all that reserve energy and burning desire evaporate.
A front-running t-bred will NEVER run faster than when it is far in front and appears to be coasting. They are mentally fragile creatures that thrive on confidence and require rationing.
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PB said he could have won by a lot more. He also said "a mile in front". Last i checked, a mile was 5,280 feet which is considerably longer than 40 lengths.
Don't feel bad, you should be tickled that a horse this good is racing at Mountaineer, he's a star and there are no two ways about it.
