It's a popular concept that jocks have a clock in their head. The ability is used to 'guesstimate' the pace times during a race that will leave their nags enough energy for a solid finish.From time to time, though, nobody turns their clocks on. Such was the case in Friday's sixth race at Aqueduct. It was a non-speedy event run at a mile in 1:42 by My Dinah, a horse who has trouble finding the winner's circle. The pace times tell the true story (25.2, 50.2, 115.1, 1:41.3)
Recognizing that the inner-dirt track has been favoring speed, apprentice Sheldon Russell sent Charming Mandate to the lead. That, in itself, should have been a clue to the other jocks riding in the race. On paper, three of them could have run a second quarter in the 47's. Mandate, at best, does 49. Yet, they waited...and, waited...and waited. Having loafed six furlongs in 1:15, Dinah had more than enough left to hold off Wyatt's Women (my 17-1 mover).
Kudos to jockey Victor Santiago for his belated attempt at the win. My guess is he could have won, easily, with an earlier move. But. we'll never know.
