I watched closely for jockey steering and did not see any except as I described. I did see a lot of clever rein work by riders affected, but seeing any is owed to the close coverage of the race because of its prestige.... Jockeys ride cleverly in EVERY race.

Horses have their tricks. My former racing mare used to toss me every time we galloped. She'd drop one shoulder mid-stride at the same time she threw her hips the opposite direction, and spiraling I'd go. To break that habit I held her in close check and permitted only very fast trotting. Those concussions were pretty bad, so I thought I was saving my life. I never knew until forced to sell her that she'd been sold to me with a cracked bone.... My treatment saved HER life just as much. Just before I sold her I let her out at full gallop across a grassy ridge, thinking if I went off I'd at least have soft landing. O m g was she fast. I'd had no idea. Smooth as glass. Apparently that footing suited her well, because she wasn't in pain. Power? Speed? Nothing like it.

Bless those jockeys for sitting that and channeling that! And thank you, dear Emanon, for the ride of a kifetime-- and for giving me those muscles from your very bumpy trot!

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(If you read about the vet caught up in the Brach case, you'll know how I got a "re-papered" mare with apparently clear x-rays, and could not have known I was causing her pain for all the joy she gave me.)