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

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Not necessarily. I think Willie got the horse into a good spot, not expecting the pace to be quite that fast, then Willie knew that considering the pace and the horse's distance limitations, his best shot was to take the lead in the stretch and see how long he could hold on. It was his only choice, but that still doesn't mean the horse had a particularly easy 10-furlong trip.

You're describing exactly what he did wrong. He ran early into that fast pace (the only horse to do so), then he ran early again, to basically pass 2 horses that would've quit anyway. Then, he still has enough to engage the winner just enough to collapse the rest of the race and allow the plugs to come from the rear. All he has to do is sit chilly, let the rest of the horses catch up to him and then ask his horse. He's at least 2nd with this type of trip.

Look, the dude isn't much of a jock and I'm describing an advanced move. It just pains me to see this horse repeatedly ridden wrong and, as a result, typecast as a hanger or distance challenged.