Michael,

he ran poorly. I just don't think this is the "use case" you seem to want to make as an example of a California horse that couldn't get the extra 1/8th of a mile outside of Santa Anita.

And has nothing to do with California Chrome.

Different cases completely. One is a seasoned horse with 2 year old foundation and classic prep races. The other had two starts, missed time and was off schedule, trying to make the dErby

And no I don't think he would have made it if the race was shorter. Different pace, different race. Who knows.