He ducked, veered, whatever you want to call it and more than once. He seemed to looking around and not really in the bridle, on the bit, whatever you want to call it. I am not a trainer so I will not venture to say it's a soundness, health, etc. issue as opposed to a "green" or immaturity issue. However, several people I know, and I respect their opinion, have said that he has never appeared to be unsound or have a problem. That doesn't mean he doesn't.
Be that as it may, from just watching the race -- when he did get collared, and passed, as much as he wasn't straight, he seemed to be game and fighting -- and once he got straightened out, he seemed like he really got into the bridle, dug in, and came back on. I saw more than enough to not throw him out of the "contender" category.
Eric
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