Just a point to share, because there is a common thread. When Afleet Express won the Travers in 2010, a lot of people had earlier, questioned his ability after a 3 month layoff, and the Beyer he was initially given for his 7F race on May 22, 2010. He ran approximately 3 seconds faster than anything else running a similar distance, and he was given, I believe, a of 115. But, a lot of individuals questioned how a Beyer of 115 could be given out to a horse, who had never run a race with a Beyer higher than (I believe, but I may not be absolutely exact, but definitely in close vicinity) 90. So, people must have listened, because a week later Afleet's initial Beyer of 115 got reduced, to 108, and a week after that, down to 106.
I happen to believe Afleet's 122 Beyer number was probably the most accurate number of his performance that day. But, jump-up performances are normally questioned as to their accuracy. But, I also found rapid changes in a horse's behavior/demeanor may be difficult/hard to understand/accept, because they can happen so suddenly. Some slight "adjustment" could be all that is necessary (I know some may be thinking along the lines of illicit things, that could make that kind of difference. And, yes, I recognize illicit things can cause dramatic reversals in horses), but, I am referring specifically to those that are legal and accepted.
Just as with the demonstrated, dramatic improvement by Afleet Express, the blinker change for Wicked was something that I was screaming for since last year, and has me firmly believing that "his game" will be elevated to another level, as the former horse's was. I will be very disappointed if it isn't.