First, that was not a slow pace for that distance and final time. The best running took place from the half to the 6f.
Second, the winner was only a few lengths in front of Winter Memories early, 3 1/2, and gained another two lengths to the finish. She couldn't even catch the 3rd place finisher, a horse that was 7th to her 8th at the first call. In a race where the winner and 3rd place finisher were 6th and 7th early, I find it hard to use pace as an excuse for the horse that was 8th early.
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