i remember some posts critical of pat day's ride on azeri in th bc (too lazy to look for the thread). just watched the replay, and while velazquez and castellano had tight holds of their mounts, day was a bit loose on the reigns on azeri. the only way azeri could have got the lead from GZ early is if she was urged along early (and then she surely would have collapsed). i think day did a good job to save fifth. if there is any blame, maybe lucas tried to take some of the speed out of her in the mornings so she would have a better chance at getting the 10f. serious redboarding here, but either way, the horse did not belong in a gd 1 10f race, not to mention against the best horses in the country (although i said it before the race also).