All true SoCalMan2, but I think what you said just furthers the case for why you can't bet horses like Leroides, LITF, Ouija Board and other favorites (on Breeders Cup day).

There are more quality contenders, horses get pushed harder than they have previously and have to be better, even to contend, let alone win.

Leroides had something like 8 straight races where he got 1w1w trips. He (and the connections) should get no sympathy for finally having to work hard early in a race and lose some ground. But you are right, with the pace, trip and aluminimum pads, he ran very well. I would be willing to bet that he ran his second fastest figure ever in the race, faster than all of his wins except the Atto Mile. Artie Schiller ran a couple of "0's" before this and it would be hard to believe he bounced a lot and still won. Plus, AS saved all the ground on the rail. So I gotta believe Leroides ran well.