MonmouthGuy Wrote:
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> They could run the Ladies Classic 10 times,
> and I don\'t think there is a pace scenario
> or a trip that would have resulted in Music
> Note on top of the board.
I respectfully disagree.
Watch a replay of the race, and focus on Rajiv Maragh\'s ride on Music Note. I\'ll narrate it, in a way that represents what I think Maragh might have been thinking -- if he was thinking at all, that is:
\"Hey -- Careless Jewel is leaving -- I\'d better go get her...wait she\'s going too fast, I\'d better back off...la de da, hey, what\'s over there?...oops, fell asleep there for a minute, we are 6th now. Uh oh, I\'m too far back...better get moving...oops! wall of horses, nowhere to go...Look, something shiny!...I\'m in the 4-path now coming out of the turn for home...hey! let\'s dive left, almost at a 45 degree angle, there\'s some room down by rail...hey, how long is this race, anyw...aw, crap, it\'s over!\"
Absolutely BRUTAL ride.
Then watch the ride Gomez gives Life Is Sweet. Cool Hand Garrett was biding his time, waiting to make the one and only move that counted.
I like Maragh, I really do...but he crapped his pants on this one, Switch trips (and riders), and Music Note wins, easy. Maragh was a little lost boy out there today, and Gomez was simply The Man. Best argument I can think of for taking the very best jock available on \"big days\" -- loyalty be damned.