Sun King

[Linny]

I don't think the trip cost him. Invasor would have won with another 1/16 or another mile. But...

From the Equibase chart. INVASOR stumbled leaving the gate (post 2), settled in good position entering the 1st turn, moved out a bit entering the backstretch , split rivals while gaining near the 5/8 pole, closed the gap while rallying just inside of Flower Alley midway on the turn, angled 4 wide for clear sailing entering the stretch and accelerated to the front approaching the furlong marker...

SUN KING raced well back for 6 furlongs while saving ground, launched a bid while on the inside midway on the turn, altered course to the outside while 6 wide leaving the 1/4 pole, rapidly gained from the outside to challenge at the 1/8 pole...

At Saratoga, six wide on the second turn is far worse than angling out at the top of the lane. Neither horse had "bad" trips but as usual the tactical speed and accelerating of Invasor won the day. I'm not trying to say that SK is as good as Invasor, he's not. Tactical speed horses can generally negotiate better trips. Whether the horses are Affirmed and Alydar, Slew and Exceller, Easy Goer and Sunday Silence or Invasor or SK, the one with speed always has an advantage.