Wicked Strong and Tonalist showed what happens when a true Grade 1 horse sees a wants the lead from cheaper speed.  I don’t mean to be harsh, but when you pack weight on these horse and you ask them to match up, loose speed is meaningless if the horse isn’t razor sharp and at least near the quality of the Grade 1 horses.  As many of you hear, I said ” I would not touch Bayern with a 10 foot pole!”  Part of the reason was the 2/1 morning line, which was ridiculous, part of the reason was that both Wicked Strong and Tonalist are really talented horses and part of the reason has to do with the trainers.  Baffert has lost his magic of late and Jimmy Jerkens is the hottest trainer in the world!

The reason Wicked Strong lost, was that he was too close to a stupid fast past and he was herded wide by Tonalist in the first turn,  That little misstep showed up at the wire.