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

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

Clearly that head beat against LaL in the Rebel was much the best this guy will ever do on dirt...And considering what was in that race now clearly makes the point that he was never a classic distance type - the Ark only reinforced that IMO although I didn't totally discount the trouble he encountered, if he had any shot at a mile and a quarter he should have showed it.

This is a totally different thing from him being an "overrated allowance horse." I don't think anyone ever argued that he was a classic distance horse -- he was, after all, 24-1 in the Derby despite his back class -- and I'm certainly not one who thinks Willie did anything wrong. Because NP has (predictably) failed to stretch his ability past 8 1/2 furlongs, that makes him an overrated allowance horse?

It also isn't as though he got dusted yesterday. He was beaten six lengths. I find it hard to believe you'll see a Cuvee get that close to a Derby win in the near future (or ever).