I thought he was well within himself on the lead.
If you go back and watch the Southwest Stakes--he rated wonderfully (albeit, while hung wide, back off a pathetically slow pace, while on an inside-speed track) that day.
I don't anticipate he'll have as much trouble rating off of Flying First Class as many think.
Hard Spun's mother was 4-for-15 lifetime, her average winning distance was BEYOND 10 furlongs---his father sired a Belmont winner. The distance question was never in doubt....he just couldn't fight off a horse who rated in 19th...and passed 16 horses on their inside by the time he confronted him.
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