All I know is people go on about traffic in the Derby and how so-and-so had bad racing luck but I've always thought closers that win the race are the ones that make their own luck. You don't only have a jockey knowing what hole to go through but you have a horse willing to do it, even if it's the tightest squeeze he's ever seen in his life. Maybe he bounces off the rail or cuts between horses and wants to win so badly he won't take no for an answer when a lesser horse might've said 'hey it's been a hard race, I'm calling it a day'. I think it can be done and masterful to watch.
Strike the Gold was my first Derby pick and first winner so I have a certain affection for a horse that sparks comparisons to the ol' boy--sure I was a total sucker for the sob story they told on Alydar during the Derby coverage but I liked the look of StG in and of himself.
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