Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

held up in went, closed on inside before 7th, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on flat,

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
Stayed on	Continued to finish but without closing the gap significantly.
just held	The horse's powerful late run was not quite enough, and it lost the race by the narrowest possible margin (e.g., a nose or short head).
Held up	Intentionally raced patiently at the back to save energy.
Rear	Running near the back of the field.

Summary

Continued to finish but without closing the gap significantly.
The horse's powerful late run was not quite enough, and it lost the race by the narrowest possible margin (e.g., a nose or short head).
Intentionally raced patiently at the back to save energy.
Running near the back of the field.