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This quote from Kiaran McLaughlin pretty much sums up the Donn and all of yesterday's races at Gulfstream:

"Speed was so good today I told Alan not to let Finallymadeit get away,"

The 5 year-old Finallymadeit running as game a race as he did on 7 days' rest over a track that he has never particularly cared for (9:1-0-2) basically illustrates what a disadvantage late runners were at throughout the card.

There was discussion on this board earlier in the week about the GP main track and the consensus opinion was that it had played fairly. Yesterday was a stark exception as closers rarely could make headway, save Warrior's Reward, who probably had one of the all-time great trips in the history of racing.

NT

Not just late runners but those with outside trips (which explains WR's effort --with an assist to from Prado). Which makes the efforts by Einstein and Beethoven (and even West Side Bernie) particularly noteworthy.

Here's a case where the NUMBER for the race won't be very important and should basically be thrown out.

Shameful effort by GP in not being able to provide a fair setting for two of their more important races.

Couldn't agree more. I can't imagine where Prado's head was at that moment.

I suppose Beethoven was due for some poor racing luck after a dream trip of his own in the KY Jockey Club.

Another great example of how horrible the track was is that Arson Squad and Sir Whimsey, who were basically in reverse from the quarter pole home, hung on for fourth and fifth, respectively, basically because they were on the inside.

I hope for the Fountain of Youth and Fla Derby the track is a bit more even.

NT

Perfect in terms of ground covered. Terrible in terms of actual events.

But I will acknowledge that Borel handled him better in the run to the 1st turn than Leparoux did Einstein.

Which had me thinking after these races as to which tactic is better for an on-the-pace (stalker) outside horse in a short run 1st turn:

1) gun (but not all out) and get hung widest around the turn -- here you're getting all the worst of it in terms of not only pace but ground covered

2) take back, get good inside position in the 1st turn, then make a premature move once on the backstretch --- here, you get the worst of it in terms of pace but don't lose the ground

I'm sure if the horses had a vote they'd pick 2.

I laughed :D

So, does this make Finallymadeit the second best horse in the handicap division?

I think he's 3rd, Vrrroom is 2nd!

He might be the Silky Sullivan of the LAD Q's!

From 8th to 1st in the blink of an eye!!