Curlin-handled obstacles well today

[randallscott35]

He's going to be very good. No shame in finishing 3rd in your 4th race with a 20 horse field of the best group a crop can offer.

[byalip]

I thought Albarado was working against any chance Curlin might have had. If there was trouble, Robbie found it.

Didn't Steve post a mid-afternoon alert about a possible rail bias. I immediaiately thought of Bo-rail and wished I could get back to the OTB.

Robbie had the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the rail. Sure, Curlin was far back. But so was SS. Robbie could have dominated the rail if he wished, but I clearly saw him steer Curlin over toward the middle....and a wall of horses.

It was almost too frustrating to watch.

[jman5581]

Sometimes the best plan is no plan at all... I need to watch the replay again, was Curlin really in a position to take the rail?

[King Glorious]

I don't see how it was a lack of experience that did Curlin in. He could have had 25 races under his belt and it still wouldn't have mattered with the start and position he had in the race. Those were factors that have nothing to do with experience.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I don't see how it was a lack of experience that did Curlin in. He could have had 25 races under his belt and it still wouldn't have mattered with the start and position he had in the race. Those were factors that have nothing to do with experience.

Maybe he would have started better and maybe he would have got into a better position if it wasn't the FIRST TIME he ever was in behind horses?

[pointman]

Albarado blew the ride here. This is a very good racehorse, I hope he goes in the Preakness, without 20 horses, he will be very tough.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Maybe he would have started better and maybe he would have got into a better position if it wasn't the FIRST TIME he ever was in behind horses?

I could swear he was behind horses in the Arkansas Derby. Maybe I'm wrong. Just watched the videos again. In the Rebel, he was back in fifth although he was on the outside. In the Arkansas Derby, he was in second but he was down on the rail, inside of the leader. I just don't feel like more experience would have helped him here. It wouldn't necessarily make him break faster nor would it make him faster early and able to get better position. Those are matters of ability, IMO, not experience.

[ultracapper]

curlin ran great. he'll get better. the long stretch at belmont may be a bigger obstacle than the preakness for street sense. street sense is really quite fast when he turns it on. the shorter preakness should be perfect for him. if he moves too soon in the belmont, we could be watching a smarty jones type finish again where he gets reeled in late.

[jman5581]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Maybe he would have started better and maybe he would have got into a better position if it wasn't the FIRST TIME he ever was in behind horses?

This was a combination of botched ride and (bad) racing luck.