Discreet Cat's throat issue was never cleared up.
He was last at every stage in a paceless running of the 10 furlong WC. His race in the Vosburgh was probably the biggest eyesore of the decade...beating the gate and putting himself in a dream spot...and even at six furlongs, he readily gave ground in a race run in a Merry-Go-Round fashion. Desperatly winning a 4-way photo for 3rd place.
In his final work before the Breeders Cup, he was kept well off the rail, and worked an effortless five furlongs in 57.46 - a work so highly regarded that his odds dropped markedly for the Dirt Mile in off-shore books.
Anyone with any sense - who saw his Vosburgh knew the work meant nothing...as he was sure to struggle tremendously when put to pressure, as his throat and ability to breath was still an issue.
No one thought more of him than me....and he had NO CHANCE to hit the board in Dirt Mile - even though he was running against a crap field.
Somehow, he did hit the board - 3rd beaten a pole.
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