[Grits]

Originally Posted by Linny

Even if you are on Invasor, you need to know where DC is at all times. let's say DC is not suffering from a sore throat and Frankie has him rolling from off the pace. Fernando doesn't look back, figures he can beat Premium Tap any time and doesn't step on the gas.

But, Linny, THIS did not happen. Fernando does know the horse. And Frankie, of course, had no horse in this particular event. He did not fire.

At the halfway point of the stretch (1 1/2f out) Frankie sails on by with Invasor dozing.

Again, this did not happen. Invasor was his usual game self!

How's Hamdan feel now? Fernando had no idea that Discreet Cat had nothing in the tank turning for home. He doesn't want Invasor to get to the front and goof off, allowing him to get caught should anyone be mounting a rally. With as good a horse as DC someplace back there, possibly mounting a rally Jara simply has to take stock of the race setting up behind him.

And I do not see that Jara has failed to do so, as of yet. This premiere SIX MILLION dollar race is OVER. This race was run exceptionally well, and the mistake made here is not by his jockey, Fernando Jara, not at all. There was no mistake made here but the one made by the spoiled rich dude from the desert that thinks Jara could have made a better grandstand showing of pushing his horse harder to get more air between the rest of the field.

The oil rich Arabian dressing down a 19 year old young man. All for WHAT?

Jim you were correct in your summation in your first post.

I get discouraged when fans offer up the what-ifs and other scenarios to jockeys, when the race has been run-- most especially when they've done their jobs and done them quite well.

I know that you know racing and pace, but the Arab's comments are wrong, he showed no grace, and that's unfortunate.

Let the Arab ride Invasor next time, but then that'd be a bust 'cause he couldn't ride a hog thru a phone booth.