Originally Posted by papillon
Todd Pletcher said this morning they were still trying to flush the mud out of his eyes. He didn't sound hyperbolic, just matter-of-fact normal Pletcher.
The blinkered horses finished very poorly for the most part. Most of the horses apparently came back pretty bloody, according to their trainers. Almost none have plans to return before the Haskell.
I think it was unfortunate to have such bad conditions. They certainly played a part, there is no way they couldn't have, esp given almost none will be back before July. Perhaps that the 1,2,3 horses came from 7,6,5 is a coincidence and that 1, 2, 3, 4 finished 11,16,15,13 and that 14, 16,19,20 finished 20,19,17,18 are also coincidences, but it does seem that being at the tip of the arrow was better than being on the sides.
However, I agree that the race was formful for some. I calculated that the 6f would be in 1:11 with Justify, Mendelssohn, Noble Indy, and Flameaway on the lead and Audible and Good Magic just behind moving well, and with Promises Fullfilled and Magnum Moon already out of it. But it just seems unlikely that all three--Mendelssohn, Noble Indy, and Flameaway--all were true to form at 13, 17, and 20, respectfully. I was wrong about the 1:37...however, this is the 2nd time in a row Justify has run 1:37, if he runs 1:37 in the Preakness what then?
And of course, I can never be convinced 2:04 is anything but 2:04, but that's just going to be a point I will never agree on...
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