The 5 did have a pretty nice trip - saved ground, good position etc... which may have helped him a little. He also may have fit your improving 3 year-old angle with the way he won first time vs. winners after breaking his maiden. I didn't bet the race and probably wouldn't have used the 5 either (I'm playing against every Pletcher horse until further notice) - but you could certainly have made a case for him. Pretty evenly matched field (except the winner's last beyer sticks out if you believe in them on turf). I wouldn't get too caught up with this race or beat yourself up about not using the 2nd place horse. The only horse that may be worth watching for next time is Big Al as he closed pretty well with a bit of a pace disadvantage vs. the 1st and 2nd place finishers. More importantly, though, don't exacta box four horses.
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