"The Eight Belles Metaphor is so obvious that everyone is embarrassed to use it, figuring that everyone else is already using it--a thought born embalmed as a cliche, already tiresome from anticipated over-expression before being sincerely expressed in the first place. [The thought that it's a cliche is also already a cliche, no?- . .  ."

Insta-pundits fear no cliche.  How often must they prove it?  What truly scares them is any scent of profundity, as in this coincidence.  

And are you sure its no pause for respect due the filly?  OK, you're probably right there.