CH,

I don't disagree with your general views on pace. But as for this race, several points:

1. You are seriously redboarding. If it
"couldn't be more obvious going in that there would be a pace meltdown", then where was your post before the race?

2. I don't think it was "obvious" that there would be a pace meltdown. Cudos to you if you saw it, but I didn't and I am guessing others didn't either. Purge was cutting back to a mile after longer races with slower paces. He figured to stalk, not be on top of the pace. Not sure who you expected to run with Pico.

3. I don't think there was a "pace meltdown". Take a look at the fractions here and compare them with other runnings of this race and races like it (Met Mile, also a one turn mile). The pace is always hot. Almost always seems "suicidal".

4. Watch the replay, Pico looked well within himself going 44 to the half. Purge was being worked on by the jockey, but Pico was within himself.

5. Michael, I guess what you are saying is that Len (Rags) had the race before for Lion Tamer much stronger than Jerry did. If so, congrats to Len. He got it right. Lion Tamer was a "throwout" on Jerry's figures. He needed a new top to even hit the tri.