Price Talk
mixed emotions here.
3 was inside horses (namely the 7) , 6 and 10 were carrying the lead into the stretch)
Unless Jose Lezcano just pulled off the greatest act of 'playing possum' that I've ever seen, and completely fooled my eyes, the
wasn't doing anything.
The
were hanging up front, begging for the finish line.
Some combination of Manny Franco either being extremely reckless, or the
Price Talk being uncontrollable led to significant foul of the
.
The
went on to win easily. The
although knocked off his lead continued on about the same trajectory as he seemed to be headed along.
Ultimately, I'd prefer to see a horse and rider who are pocketed up have to deal with the traffic, and either slip out w/out fouling, or come up the rail inside of rivals. (or simply take the loss, because he had too much traffic to overcome)
However, it's an inconsistent thing with the stewards. Often riders of horses who are favorites, or clearly much the best are given a free pass to bull into rivals to fight through traffic.
Manny Franco isn't necessarily one of the ones who does this often, but it was his turn today. He happened to get called for it.
Tough luck for Manny, as it was a change in the common-accepted-practices. Also tough for bettors who played a slightly overlayed Klaravich contender due to the 'B'-barn designation.
Still, I feel it's technically the correct ruling, and would be nice to see it consistently upheld, and established as the new common accepted practice.
was also objected against in a separate stretch incident. 
horse despite no objection, after he drifted half way across the 
in the stretch. 
by the 
Saratoga r2 7/16/2020
