Bob Pandolfo talks about drivers pulling and lack of inquiries by the judges. In my mind, that is part of the game. If there’s clearance to pull, pull. If there’s no contact, there’s no problem. If drivers are not fishing for cover, they should move up aggressively if they’re intent to go forward. Obviously I’m no expert. For that, HRU should turn to the judges. But on a similar note there’s the wicked first quarter and the back pedaling second. The field gets jammed up and everyone behind grabs leather. The pocket sitter usually gets the worst of it. As my time goes back to a 2:00 mile being remarkable, my memory may be clouded here. Thinking of The Red Mile and John Campbell, who was taken down for such a thing. Seemed to me the pace was fairly even, but the Kentucky judges saw things differently.  Reportedly JC is one of the nicest guys around, but I think his temperament was challenged that day when he was taken down — John Campbell! These decisions are usually hit or miss, and exacerbated for some when a player’s ticket is a winner or loser. (For the owners I can only imagine the pain.) Hey, if you’re going to crawl up on the outside and a driver has a split second to pull: that’s how the game should be played. The slow second half, well that’s quite another problem. 

Vincent Lee / Ft. Lauderdale, FL