Strong Pretender Excuses Thread

[Bravado2112]

I have no strong opinion on Strong Contender beyond the fact that he's a talented and inconsistent horse who occasionally throws down huge efforts (I think the Dwyer figure is pretty legit), but I think the Ward's comments BEFORE the race were pretty telling:

Strong Contender, who shares high weight of 120 pounds with Sweetnorthernsaint, may be at a bit of a disadvantage in the Hal’s Hope, having not started since winning the Super Derby on Sept. 23. He has worked twice since shipping to Gulfstream in December.

“He’s probably going to need this race, but this one should set him up perfectly for the Donn and especially the Santa Anita Handicap,” said Ward.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/81662.html