Noble's Promise: Did Willie Cost him at least a placing?

[dalakhani]

I don't know if this has been brought up in another thread but did anyone else think that Willie Martinez totally cost Noble's Promise at least a placing or maybe more in the derby? He was sitting in the garden spot maybe 4 lengths off the dueling leaders. For some inexplicable reason, he decides to start the horse midway around the turn. I don't need to repeat what happened but it looked to me like a terribly premature move.

The dueling leaders had carved out fractions of 22 and 46. Did he think they weren't going to come back especially considering the way the track was playing all day? His move also created the space for the winner to come through, saving ground the whole way.

Noble's Promise has a history of hanging when he makes the lead too soon. He also has a pedigree where distance is a concern.

If I were an owner or Mcpeek, I would be pretty upset and definitely looking to change my jockey for the next race.