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[Andy Asaro]

What we learned: Two excuses for Hot Rod Charlie's loss

Excerpt:

For one, some horses returning from racing in the Middle East need at least one start to get back into the flow of racing on this soil. Whether the runner in question competes in the Saudi Cup or Dubai World Cup, or both, the desert life can prove taxing on horses not based there.

In other words, Hot Rod Charlie likely did not feel 100 percent in his first start back from Dubai after an excellent second in the Dubai World Cup.

The first start back after Dubai excuse is standard, although this rule does not apply to all horses. Each horse that makes the trip is unique. Some of them find their best form right away upon return to this soil.

As for the main reason Hot Rod Charlie lost, for some reason, Mike Smith chose not to use the crop on Hot Rod Charlie, while Mind Control had the benefit of John Velazquez making better use of the crop in the stretch. In fact, the first replay view in the video does not make it clear whether Smith had a crop.