Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Kasept
Tom, you're incorrect. As Branch Rickey wrote, 'Luck' is the residue of design...
After the press conference, Haskin and I walked to the backstretch ON THE RAIL. The path was like a paved highway compared to even the 2 path. From the 2 path out, the dirt was pockmarked 6-8 inches deep in spots. Any horse that was trying to rally wide at all was doomed to tire quickly. And all anyone has to do to understand Borel's approach is go back to watch his perfect workout last week and the La Troienne where he gave Helen Pitts' Silverinyourpocket the identical ride he gave Street Sense.
In the workout, the horse showed his tremendous agility hugging the rail through and out of the turn at a high rate of speed. In the Troienne, and later in the Derby, Borel allowed the field to clear before crossing over to get to the rail. From there, he knew in both cases he would have the best chance to rally taking the chance that the lane would be clear when he needed it to be. In Street Sesne's case, he knew he was on the best horse, and brilliantly anticipated having the path he needed clearing the last group before tackling Hard Spun.
Understand that luck isn't the right description of what happens in these cases. Knowing that horses in front of you have already been doing their running and are likely tiring, Borel regularly makes the correct assumption that those horses will begin to bear out, particularly off the turn. Since Street Sense is just doing his real running at that point, he is physically able to hug the rail while the leg-weary ahead of him float away from the inside straightening for the stretch drive.
Borel and Nafzger have known from early on that they were dealing with a special horse, and their approach to win this race since the day after the BC Juvenile was just about perfect. And most importantly, the best part of the Street Sense victory is the fact that this was a tremendous win for racing.. a victory for the forces of good.
(Heading back to the track shortly, but will address the wonderful Hard Spun try seperately in my wrapup, as I spent quite a bit of time with Rick Porter, Larry Jones and Mario Pino as well last night, and have great stuff about their day. They were rightly elated with their colt.)
|
I know that luck was the wrong 'verb' but the red sea did part for him. I want to make sure I am taking nothing away from Borel or Street Sense, EVEN IF SS went 7 deep he wins this race, in probably more of a gut wretcher though. I think Bruce said it right in that because of the fantastic overhead view of SS, you could literally see the holes opening up at the opportune time. If he is checked just once, does he get by Hard Spun, who ran unbelievable given a 46.2 quarter (Pino gets 47.2, he is your winner)
You walking the rail is interesting and I am going to watch the races again. I recall speed holding, but maybe it was because 2nd and 3rd place horses were closing into dead speed that gave me the illusion of it playing fair.
Borel is a hell of a rider, cagey is probably the best description. And I absolutely LOVE seeing his emotions afterwards. Not sure if he is a KY boy, but I know it is his circuit so it was absolutely great to see.
That being said given the horse will romp in the Preakness, what is the possibility of Bailey coming out of retirement to ride a horse in the Belmont and instruct all jockeys to STICK THE RAIL and try to prevent a TC winner.