Digger?!?! Bad news for Hard Spun

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

This is highly unlikely, and considering Hard Spun has never been " covered up ", I'm not sure where that comes from. In all likelihood he needs to be in the clear, as he was in the Preakness and Lane's End, if he is to rate with any success. I may be wrong but I don't recall him eating any dirt in his previous races.

If I hadn't recorded over my Preakness coverage in a fit of the grumps, I'd go check but I swear, it seems like someone from his camp uttered the words...possibly Larry Jones referring to Mario's ride. Eh, it's a moot point to figure out how Pino could ride him any differently anyway. Let's see what GG can do. Out of curiosity, what would you say is Garrett's most obvious attribute? Some have serious clocks in their heads, some eat up strategy, others are rail huggers or outside run fanciers, some are endowed with the "special" knowledge that the horse is supposed to run in a counterclockwise direction... GG's nickname isn't Garrett "Likes to go around horses even if it's in the 10 path on the turn" Gomez or anything right?

[blackthroatedwind]

I don't pay much attention to Gomez. He seems patient and he rides a lot of likely winners. I can understand the switch from Pino but Pino has done absolutely nothing wrong on Hard Spun. He would have finished no better than he has in any of his races with Gomez as opposed to Pino.

[cmorioles]

The only ride I would question was the one in the Southwest, but that was probably more based on instructions from the trainer than any tactical riding error.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

The only ride I would question was the one in the Southwest, but that was probably more based on instructions from the trainer than any tactical riding error.

I agree but that one seemed more circumstantial. In retrospect they should have sent him as that was probably their only viable alternative.

[blackthroatedwind]

I couldn't possibly disagree more and this kind of micro-overanalysis has no relevance in real life racing situations.

[blackthroatedwind]

You've got him splitting horses as they " begin to backpeddle. " Come on....stop! You're killing me.

He rode the horse correctly...he sat off the silly duel and went by them as they stopped and another horse was coming to his flank. That's how you ride.