Beyer: Espinoza's ride could have cost Chrome Crown

[Mack]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Has Violette or Ortiz commented on Samraat's ride? Was the horse off, or did they decide that on that particular day he'd be better off as a deep closer rather than the projected lone speed where he could have controlled the pace?

The ride on Samraat was incredibly frustrating. He broke incredibly well and then he closed extremely well at the finish. Given how gutty he finishes, I'd have liked to see what he could have done up on that soft pace.

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by Mack

The ride on Samraat was incredibly frustrating. He broke incredibly well and then he closed extremely well at the finish. Given how gutty he finishes, I'd have liked to see what he could have done up on that soft pace.

It was reminiscent of the ride Jose Ortiz gave speed horse Itsagoodtendollars last winter in a claiming race at Aqueduct. I thought he'd have learned, as I bet on Samraat.

[Indian Charlie]

Isn't it pretty obvious that with that pace on that track that day he should have been in front early?

He never looked good though, which leads me to believe the biggest issue was the foot.

It took a few things to happen for this horse to lose to these, and they did happen.

[ontheoutside]

he couldnt have asked for a better trip inside until top swing out 3 wide turning for home'
he was just empty period
maybe ankle had something to do that he had no explosion like last 2

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Isn't it pretty obvious that with that pace on that track that day he should have been in front early?

He never looked good though, which leads me to believe the biggest issue was the foot.

It took a few things to happen for this horse to lose to these, and they did happen.

I didn't think so either and it wasn't the "he doesn't want to be behind horses" look.

[ateamstupid]

Anyone blaming Espinoza for Chrome's loss is completely grasping at straws. He saved ground on the first turn, had zero significant traffic trouble and gave his horse a clear shot to reel in the leaders in the stretch. The horse wasn't good enough to get it done.

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

It took a few things to happen for this horse to lose to these, and they did happen.

I thought he was the lock of the century?!

[JohnGalt1]

I thought he ran well, finishing only 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner, for a horse with a bloody gash in his foot.

[ScottJ]

Beyer's article does represent one view, but I had a slightly different take on Victor Espinoza's ride that has not been discussed : If you (as Espinoza did) decide to tuck after the opening quarter, what do you do after that point? As they headed up the backstretch, I was sure that Espinoza had sufficient horse to sit the pocket and pick a seam coming to the head of the stretch. Yes, this was a risky strategy, but it was how to play the pocket trip at Belmont once you decide to relinquish the lead.

Instead, my view was that the race was lost heading into the far turn. With my cheering, I implored Victor to stay inside. Instead, he swung four wide heading into the far turn losing a great deal of momentum in the process.

Now, was that a deciding factor? I am not sure - the Trakus data shows Tonalist running 8081 feet with every other competitor running less distance (which was a shocker to me) including California Chrome (-38), Commissioner (-67), Medal Count (-64), and Wicked Strong (-18).

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Anyone blaming Espinoza for Chrome's loss is completely grasping at straws. He saved ground on the first turn, had zero significant traffic trouble and gave his horse a clear shot to reel in the leaders in the stretch. The horse wasn't good enough to get it done.



I thought he was the lock of the century?!

He was. It really should be obvious to you that he was best.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

He was. It really should be obvious to you that he was best.

I don't know how you make that case without using the foot as an excuse.