Ramon Dominguez

[blackthroatedwind]

I guess he's one of your pets, but it's silly to defend his performance in the Demoiselle. He got schooled, it's as simple as that. He's a very good young rider, who likely has a very bright career ahead of him, but that performance is tough to defend. A top rider doesn't allow himself to be put in that position, especially in a big race. Plus, the halfway move inside, when Johnny threw that bait out there, was absolute amateur hour...and Johnny knew he would fall for it.

No doubt he was behind the eight ball, due to the speed advantage of his rival, but he has to have a plan to deal with that. Now, the slight stumble after the start hurt him, but you really need to watch the head-on of the backstretch. He needed to send in the four path hole Johnny herded his rivals to open, and establish position, or force Johnny to let it out a notch. Instead, he half went as they approached the turn, which is tentative and too late.

Yes, Johnny had the tactical advantage, but he used it to full advantage, and Junior gave him every edge.