I’ve watched the WOod three times now, and I gotta be a bit of a naysayer with IWR. It was a good race, but I still think WSB is his equal. We may never know that, because Bernie will not (?) be in the Derby, and IWR probably will. However, looking at the race again on that link, it looks like IWR was able to maintain contact with the small field pretty quickly out of the gate, certainly within a quarter mile he was already getting position-—
this was helped enormously by the sluggish pace of the race. WSB was hidden for most of the race and seemed to be behind the same wall of horses that Tom Durkin said IWR was. WSB had to swing much further wide than IWR, who found a hole and shot through it.
Not to take anything away from him, but I think this was due to a tremendously skilled jockey, more than the horse. Yes, I am a sore loser.
“WSB was hidden for most of the race and seemed to be behind the same wall of horses that Tom Durkin said IWR was. WSB had to swing much further wide than IWR, who found a hole and shot through it.”
Well, I’ll have to respectfully diagree with your analysis of the trip. Revenge started his move at the beginning of the turn (I love good turn times.) He was inside Bernie and went by, only to have to wait. Although wide, Bernie never had his momentum stopped, had clear sailing at the top of the stretch. Passed Revenge briefly. Revenge had to wait, bumped the horse inside him, then easily passed Bernie when the hole opened up. Not taking anything away from Bernie but I contend Revenge was much better. FWIW.