The initial vorticity and mid level circulation is well west. The high doesn't change that. The high can add some resistance in the mid levels, yes, but the most prominent impact is to enhance ageostrphic drain at the surface.
It wasn't even that...it was just bad forecasting. I had a preconceived notion and didn't use soundings to see that that case was an exception. Learned alot from people like you on that.