Watching today's seventh race, you could not help but be impressed by the ride from Taylor Rice for (her aunt) Linda Rice on Alcomatch. This was certainly one of the best apprentice rides that I have seen thus far on the inner track.
Just outside the 3/16ths, Taylor shifted towards the inside with four right hands (too much outside traffic to come wide), followed by three right hands at the 1/8th pole and two left handed taps just outside the 1/16th with a hand ride to an open lengths win.
The impressive part to me was having the courage to go inside - which might have been the result of circumstances after drifting back so far early and saving ground on the turn. Also, the judicious use of the whip, particularly when the race was put away based on Alcomatch's momentum, was impressive from the youngster.
Nice job by Linda using the apprentice on one of her own horses - smiles all around in the winner's circle.
(*) Disclosure : Did not have a play on this race.
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