First off, you have 868 going twice in at least 4 of your mock competitions.
Secondly, why do you think 1503 would have faired better with the A-Bomb? I know some within the Triplets had considered such a "robot make out", and had also been concerned with their intake speed from the ground not being able to match the output of many herders. Also, 987 (at Arizona I think) did pull off an "A-Bomb" like maneuver with another team (I remember them posting video).