Race Comment Explainer

Original comment with matches highlighted:

led, ridden before 3 out, headed before 2 out,

Matched phrases & meanings

Phrase	Meaning
ridden before	The jockey started urging the horse aggressively before the second-last obstacle to try and get it back into contention.
Stayed on	Continued to finish but without closing the gap significantly.
One pace	The horse maintained its speed but could not accelerate or quicken.

Summary

The jockey started urging the horse aggressively before the second-last obstacle to try and get it back into contention.
Continued to finish but without closing the gap significantly.
The horse maintained its speed but could not accelerate or quicken.