Quote:
Originally Posted by cre8flow
Slew if you watch the preakness point given was 9th at the start of the backstretch
if you watch the kentucky derby he was 6th on a hot pace on the clubhouse turn
he is clearly in the wrong position in the ky derby
in the derby i thought pg actually held in there pretty good considering he was so close to the bizarre pace
both he and congaree are very close to each other
congaree was a miler type who could stretch out his speed further
he should be closer up to the pace
pg was bigger and less lanky than congaree and clearly needed to be further back
in the belmont on the stretchout it makes sense that pg was closer to the pace
but not in the derby with that pace
YouTube - Monarchos - 2001 Kentucky Derby
YouTube - 2001 Preakness Stakes - Point Given |
PG's most dominating efforts he was on top of the leaders as they were going into the final turn: Preakness, Belmont, Travers. His worst efforts (races he should have won by open lengths) he was closing in the stretch: BC Juvenile, Haskell. You can argue that Stevens could have waited a beat or two longer before making that move in the Derby, but I would take that spot in a 20 horse field anyday over having to exert the energy he did in the Preakness to get to the same place.
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