Many good horses, with good patterns run poorly in the Derby. Sometimes its the PP, trip, pace.

Other times, we have absolutely no idea why it happened. It just happened.

Many bounce back with a very good Preakness and/or Belmont. Some of them had pp/trip/pace issues in the Derby, some didn't.

I wouldn't worry too much about why Carpe Diem ran like he did. He has many things going for him, and I also agree that he will be a major player in the Belmont.

P-Dub