Theoretical situation;

Horse A and horse B are improving 3 yr olds in the same barn facing each other today under equal conditions; both have same running style and have identical sheets showing a healthy pattern coming into the race, say their 3rd in the form cycle. They faced each other in their last race under equal conditions, covered same amount of ground, battled all the way and finished in a dead heat, earning the same fig.

You were at the track for that last race and noticed horse A looked tired after the wire and came back breathing heavily, while horse B galloped out after the wire and came back full of energy. Considering all else is equal, would you give an edge today to either one, and if so, which one? If that last race was their 3 yr old debuts off a layoff, say pairing their 2 yr old tops, would that change your answer?

Thanks in advance for any insight/opinions.