The horse (Machen) has had two slowish starts in both races now.
Simply getting the horse to break well - using his pace advantage - and winning by a pole would have been my idea of a good prep.
Instead - they let him snooze in the pre-race - grab hold of him almost the instant the gates open - take him back behind slugs - get his face dirty a little - split horses and finish up strong like a workout.
Trainers sure do love the latter method.
I don't think Mucho Macho Man's race is kind of real tell in regard to To Honor and Serve. A lot too much gets made of that stuff.
|