Shergar wrote:Is it just me, or does anyone else think V. Espinoza should have set Cal. Chrome down a bit earlier for the stretch drive. I thought he sat chilly just a bit too long.
Don't know if it would have really made much of a difference.
Regards,
Shergar
Hi Shergar,
I thought Victor rode him OK at best(?)....he took advantage of his speed and ground saving inside post coming out of the gate very quickly and sent Chrome on his way, that was the OK part of the ride. At the same time Arrogate broke a bit slow from his outside post, while rating along as Smith gradually overcame their so-so start. What I didn't like was Victor constantly looking around for Arrogate instead of just riding his horse...Chrome didn't need all that looking back, around and sideways in the saddle Victor was doing....sure doesn't help the efficiency of his stride. At the top of the lane CC's head was a bit in the air instead of down and in full stride because Victor had yet to uncock his stick. He waited for Arrogate to be breathing on his butt before he used the stick. That being said...Arrogate overcame it all while finding his best stride nearing the wire with a powerful surge to get by Chrome a 1/2 length.
There's no doubt Arrogate will be named Champion 3YO Male...California Chrome will be named Champion Older Male Horse, BUT I think they still could name CC Horse of The Year, even though the young upstart beat him in the Classic, there's a lot of love out there for Chrome....this Eclipse award will be behind the scenes racing politics at its best:>) Below is the replay...TJ
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA