I just watched the Steppenwolfer replay again ( I'm thinking of using it for the " Hidden Horse " later today ) and actually think Gomez did in fact make two specific blunders. He could have angled out late in the turn, thus losing very little ground, and forced himself closer to the horse outside of him but giving the horse a chance to squeeze through and he further exacerbated this error by over commiting to the spot once in the stretch. Once he realized his error it was too late and the winner had gotten away. Since Steppenwolfer easily moved forward once given clear space, and didn't chicken out, he clearly cost the horse a victory.
It was poor judgement. He tried to do what he thought was right but it was a blunder. Riding often involves a lot of split second decisions and the best riders make the most correct choices in these circumstances. Gomez probably usually does....but this time he didn't.
Next.
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