Jhirsch went too fast, too early at Saratoga yesterday.
Not anyone’s fault, just the way races go sometimes. We knew we wanted to go forward and get over, which Jose Lezcano did, but there was pressure from Willintoriskitall and Sky Masterson as the field ripped down the backside. The first quarter mile in :23.71, the half in :47.68, three quarters in 1:10.87…a 3-length lead and poof. We wound up fifth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths. We’ll bounce back and be fine. He ate up and is heading home.
The chart reads: JHIRSCH angled in while going to the front, dropped from the two path to the rail early on the first turn, showed the way down the backstretch, extended the advantage while inside on the far turn, came under a drive in upper stretch, lost the advantage to the winner outside the furlong marker and gave way.
As a partner said, “It was exciting…for a while.”
Sums it up.
Off to the track. First morning in Saratoga.
