Maiden King

Did jockey David Flores cost I Can Hear the race?

Entering the stretch, #7 I Can Hear appeared to be in an excellent outside rallying position. But for some reason, jockey David Flores ducked this debuter to the inside where she sat between the weakening #6 Irish Pepper and #3 Gifted Gina. They were all trying to catch #4 High Note, who was 2-1/2 lengths ahead.

I Can Hear kicked in with a late burst and almost got the money up the inside, missing by a half a length. 

But it just seems to me that Flores made a mistake by not rallying on the outside, because I think I Can Hear would have been better able to concentrate on running hard if she wasn’t surrounded by other horses.

My wagers were $250 on I Can Hear at 7-to-2 and $100 on #2 Bell Canyon Road at 13-to-1.

To watch a replay of this race, go to www.calracing.com.