Hard Spun in the Stretch

[MLC]

Did he stumble or just shift to the outside of Street Sense?

[randallscott35]

Maybe, but he was coming again at the end. Or Borel just stopped riding. Either way, his was the most impressive race....And we can put that 57 nonsense to rest. This is a good horse.

[sumitas]

coming off poly he did ok

[MLC]

Do you think that "nonsense" could have compromised his chance to at least give Street Sense a battle for the lead?

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by MLC

Do you think that "nonsense" could have compromised his chance to at least give Street Sense a battle for the lead?

Nope, Street Sense got a great ride and was best today. No excuse for Hard Spun.

[pmayjr]

Agreed, Hard Spun ran HUGE today.

In 2 weeks there will be 1/16th less of a mile, and if S.S. has even a mnior traffic issue it might be enough to get Hard Spun home 1st. The other question, is how much pace will there be in the Preakness. Maybe some if Slew's Tizzy shows up?

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Maybe, but he was coming again at the end. Or Borel just stopped riding. Either way, his was the most impressive race....And we can put that 57 nonsense to rest. This is a good horse.

I thought HS was coming back at the end the when I saw it live. When the showed the overhead view (best view ever btw), it did not look like he was coming back at him... and borel started celebrating like 30 yards before the wire! street sense was like, uh buddy we still have a little bit to go!

What a great race by both horses, street sense is the head of his class though.

[31lengths]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

I thought HS was coming back at the end the when I saw it live. When the showed the overhead view (best view ever btw), it did not look like he was coming back at him... and borel started celebrating like 30 yards before the wire! street sense was like, uh buddy we still have a little bit to go!

What a great race by both horses, street sense is the head of his class though.

anyone know where we can find that overhead ?

[Pedigree Ann]

If Hard Spun had had a race within the last couple of weeks before the Derby, the 57+ work would have been trouble. But with a layoff of 6 weeks, he needed some serious exercise to get him fit for the Derby. I was pleased to see it, in fact, when everyone else was saying it was a negative.

I still remember when trainers gave their horses a 3f blowout the day before a race to set them up. I think Larry Jones does, too.

[The Bid]

I think he was tiring and switched leads

[whorstman]

Hard Spun ran his a$$ off today, I give him props.

[MisterB]

Great run, better than I gave him prior.

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by The Bid

I think he was tiring and switched leads

Actually, SS changed back to lefty very late stretch. HS was righty the entire length of the stretch. (Assuming you're referring to the latter and not the former, of course.)

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Maybe, but he was coming again at the end. Or Borel just stopped riding. Either way, his was the most impressive race....And we can put that 57 nonsense to rest. This is a good horse.

I agree and is it me or does anyone else think that Pino used him up on the front end...now I realize he ran 2nd and was indeed coming at the end....I hate to monday morning quarterback this one, but does anyone else think Pino could have maybe done things a little be different? Just curious....

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Samarta

I agree and is it me or does anyone else think that Pino used him up on the front end...now I realize he ran 2nd and was indeed coming at the end....I hate to monday morning quarterback this one, but does anyone else think Pino could have maybe done things a little be different? Just curious....

i didn't like him letting hard spun out a notch after the half, his second quarter was a bit slower than the first, not by much, but he should have continued with the ride, rather than open up a bit.
BUT, easy to see that NOW. pino did fine. hard spun did great.

[PPerfectfan]

Street Sense was dead tired coming to the wire, switched back to left lead and was slowing down noticeably

Maybe what you saw as "dead tired" was Calvin easing up on him, pumping his fist not riding him at all in the last yards? Cause if he was "dead tired", I dont think he would have been on the track going a mile today. People keep saying "Oh he can only win on the rail" but what would you do if the rail opened up perfectly for you at just the right time?? Think to yourself "Oh no, I am not going over there cause the arm chair jocks/trainers will say I can only win on the rail!!" Hell NO, you gonna go to the spot that opens up for you.

[pba1817]

Originally Posted by PPerfectfan

Street Sense was dead tired coming to the wire, switched back to left lead and was slowing down noticeably

Maybe what you saw as "dead tired" was Calvin easing up on him, pumping his fist not riding him at all in the last yards? Cause if he was "dead tired", I dont think he would have been on the track going a mile today. People keep saying "Oh he can only win on the rail" but what would you do if the rail opened up perfectly for you at just the right time?? Think to yourself "Oh no, I am not going over there cause the arm chair jocks/trainers will say I can only win on the rail!!" Hell NO, you gonna go to the spot that opens up for you.

Borel did not ease up on him until 3 strides before the wire. If you know what a tired horse looks like, he was very tired. The switching to incorrect leads tells a lot, the gallop out after the wire tells even more.

He used everything he had in the tank to win and I believe it will show up in the Preakness.

[Samarta]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i didn't like him letting hard spun out a notch after the half, his second quarter was a bit slower than the first, not by much, but he should have continued with the ride, rather than open up a bit.
BUT, easy to see that NOW. pino did fine. hard spun did great.

i hear ya, and would it have made any difference if he went 23 and 47, who knows.....

Originally Posted by Danzig

i didn't like him letting hard spun out a notch after the half, his second quarter was a bit slower than the first, not by much, but he should have continued with the ride, rather than open up a bit.
BUT, easy to see that NOW. pino did fine. hard spun did great.

I have read this passage a couple of times now and still dont understand. He got to the 3/4 marker in 1:11 and change. This is ideal for a front running horse. He apparently slowed him down at this stage (1/2 --> 3/4) because they got the 1/2 in under 47 which a bit fast but not ridiculous. at the 3/4 mark he had the horse at the front at an ideal pace, it was fine riding, unless I am missing something...

[horseofcourse]

Originally Posted by Samarta

I agree and is it me or does anyone else think that Pino used him up on the front end...now I realize he ran 2nd and was indeed coming at the end....I hate to monday morning quarterback this one, but does anyone else think Pino could have maybe done things a little be different? Just curious....

No, he rode him perfect. I think it is easier to sometimes go faster and run by yourself than run slower with a horse right next to you breathing down your throat. He seemed to be doing it easily. I had absolutely no problem him riding him like that in that race.