[Bobby Fischer]

that was a tough race to pick the winner in.

Rail Trip looked flat out quicker than everyone except Aggie Engineer.

Ball Four simply didn't seem like he could get the lead from either Rail Trip or Engineer.

That is a quirky surface, at times on synthetic, and I think that small fields even more so, - a horse that has the lead has an easier time holding that lead. It takes too much wasted energy for a rival to challenge early, and unlike dirt the decent pace horses actually kick home with something late.

when you have a full field , you are more likely to see cheaper speed lead from the quality types, as well as those who will risk making multiple moves, but not in a 6 horse field.

If you had told Serling or anyone with a half decent understanding of the sport, that BallFour would get the lead and run a 48 half, they would ALL have picked him.

He just didn't seem to be quick enough to grab that initial lead.

Solis was just incredibly stupid for not chirping and urging his horse like a madman to the first turn. His horse had zero chance of closing past rail link late , and his horse was quicker on paper than all others... So there is no logical explanation for the mild urging he gave from the gate. Do these guys just give their same ride everytime or do they actually study the form? Who gave Solis his instructions??

the trainer switch back to Biancone gave Ball Four plenty of room for improvement[or more correctly a return to form], but it was unlikely that he would have the lead into the 1st turn. Rail Link was vulnerable but in a small field you have to look at the probabilities and narrow down your play,
the most-likely upsetter= Dakota was a rip off in price.

basically unbettable, but you get that sick feeling in your stomach when a longshot comes in and you disliked the favorite.


EDIT -- QUOTE from Joe Talamo reflects that Biancone and Talamo used correct Tactics to have Best Chance of Winning:
Talamo was jubilant. "[Biancone] told me to get the lead and (Ball Four) will do the rest."