the_fat_man |
04-25-2009 11:25 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by v j stauffer
Post positions as far as overall statistics will prove your point. Individual races though can be a factor. Like today for instance. Bejarano had the rail and that was an unqestioned advantage. It allowed him to dictate tactics to Rosario. Joel's only recourse would have been to do something stupid on Spinning Yarns and compromise her chances at getting second. Reverse the post positions and it's a photo. Just the difference in ground covered would have made the race very close.
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While I agree with most of this, I do think that the track played a major factor in allowing your guy to get 2nd. On a fair turf course, chasing the way he did, especially on the outside and choking his filly down early, would've gotten him run down late for 2nd. But, the argument could always be that he rode the track. I have complaints with Rosario but this certainly wasn't one of his worst rides.
Now, I don't understand why jocks ride the way they do. You're clearly aware of his ground loss in this race and the advantage that the winner had because of the post and having more speed early. Why, then, rather than taking the turn in the 2+ path and chasing OUTSIDE the winner, not get inside, and behind, the speed, and make a single run in the stretch? He was strong enough to hold the filly back early, so it's not like he couldn't have taken her back behind the 4 horse. This is the only way to beat a horse that has an advantage on a speed favoring track. In any event, after the slow 1st quarter, it was all academic. Your guy wasn't winning and the chalk certainly wasn't closing.
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