>Even throwing him out, it was tough to come up with Lion Tamer (I thought).<

It wasn't that tough if you considered the likely pace and the impact it might have on the outcome. There was a reasonable probablity of a fast pace in this race given the number of pure and presser speeds. (see my Cigar analysis before the race)

Personally, I thought the winner of the pace battle (assuming it did occur) would go on to win and Lion Tamer could suck up for second under that scenario. That's what often happens in pace battles. The pace winds up being fast for the winner, but within his range and doesn't kill him. However, he torches all the other battlers. The exception is when it is VERY extreme. Then they all die.

That's the way I would have played my ticket had I gotten involved. I would have keyed Pico Central over Lion Tamer as my main ticket and probably used Badge of Silver/Purge over him small. Then I would have had some small tickets with Lion Tamer over the same 3 in case the duel got extreme.