Round Pond/Edgar Prado

Originally Posted by Samarta

With said, I'm sure missing the week of training that close to a Grade 1, had he had his preference, they would have skipped the Beldame and instead pointed towards the Distaff. Because any good horseman in their right mind would not throw their horse into a grade 1 out of shape unless they had pressure from the person writing the checks...jmo

There isn't anything wrong with running a horse a work or two short if it gets you to the next level and where you wanna be. Horsemen have been doing it for years. Do I think a horseman does this in the summer? No. Do I think a horseman does this in a last prep for the Derby or a BC race? yes, and I see nothing wrong with it.
One thing you should remember, Matz answers to the owner and its his responsibility to get the horse to the Cup with the best possible chance to win. This was a good race to get a lot out of. I'm sure she came back blowing and will be tougher next time.