Rabbit for Mine That Bird?

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

I'll ask it a different way: why would going slower early hurt a horse that's accustomed to running faster on the front end than horses accustomed to running from the rear of the pack, that are closer?

I know exactly what you are saying. However, I think getting HS out there in front by 4-5 lengths ends up forcing the hand of the jocks behind into premature moves, especially at a distance which is much longer and takes more patience than they're used to. That makes the horses playing catch-up use more energy earlier in the race, which helps the lone speed IMO.