The Derby figure

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i just know it was a constant theme, that the front runners were going to sizzle, would chrome get cooked because of the pace, etc.

i was concerned early on about some of the horses, looked like bumper cars a couple times.

Wildcat Red's start to the race might have had something to do with the slower than expected pace. He bobbled a bit out of the gate and then got bumped. Then he started running for a few strides but the slow start meant that other horses crossed in front of him and he had to check sharply early. He never really got going.
I'm not saying this was the only cause but I think his presence certainly was a big reason why people thought the pace would be hot, and the circumstances of the race caused him to never sniff the lead.