Pace Makes the Race

As I expected, Hard Spun had the early pace he needed to be able to finsih strong enough to hold off Street Sense's late charge.

Now at the end of his 3-year-old season it has become clearly evident (with his last 2 races) that Hard Spun has seasoned and improved to become a high quality early speed power.

And in losing Street Sense is not shamed because he was taken out of his best running style and tried to stay very close to Hard Spun right from the gate.

Perhaps in the Classic someone will go with Hard Spun in the early stages and Street Sense will be allowed to run his best game - sitting well off early and making that sharp, explosive move right before the turn for home.