What a day, what a race!! I’ll be posting my thoughts later, but until then here’s what the losing jocks had to say about their horses and their runs. Oddly, it’s missing a quote from Guidry, which is the one I’m most interested in.

[NY Post]

This was a Belmont for the ages. No matter which horse anyone here had bet on, it was clear in the final strides that the only payoff anyone wanted was to witness something they wouldn’t forget. When Rags to Riches crossed the finish line an elegant head in front of Curlin, Pletcher was pumping his arm in full exultation, as was Velazquez aboard the filly, and the crowd erupted in a deafening ovation.

– Joe Drape, NY Times

I’m off to Belmont… good luck everyone!

The Belmont Breeze, they almost had me until they got to 7-up. I never drink when I’m gambling… well, gambling is my drinking!

[Official Belmont Stakes Site]

While it’s hard for me to pick a winner in this group, here are my thoughts on each of horses in order by post position.

Imawildandcrazyguy:

His race in the Derby was IM-pressive. Everyone was making such a big deal about Street Sense closing from 19. IWCG closed from 20th a good 2 lengths behind SS’s 19th, came 10 wide to SS’s inside trip and was still coming after the finish line. His odds are a gift.

Tiago:

I really like this horse and had him across the board when he pulled an upset in the Santa Anita Derby. His gallop out at the Derby was fantastic. I wish his odds were closer to IWCG’s. I think depending on the on the pace scenario you’ll see him on the board. He will definitely be included in my tri or exacta boxes.

Curlin:

Really hard not to like him. I’ve read a couple of reports that he looks really good right now. I’ve also read a lot of postulating that he’ll suffer muscle fatigue because he’s such a big boy. I’m tending to favor fresh horses in this race and while I’m new to the sport and horses in general, I tend to think there’s something to the muscle fatigue theory… a mile and half is a long ass race. His Preakness performance was probably one of the best performances we’ll see in a long time, from him or anyone else… and that’s got it take it out of him.

CP West:

Swifty thought he was one to watch at the Preakness and I didn’t pay that any mind, turns out he ran a great race! He hung tough with Hard Spun through the stretch and didn’t loose any ground (he didn’t gain any either). I think he could bring up the end of a superfecta although I’m not sure I’m including him.

Slew’s Tizzy:

Here’s another horse I like a lot. With the blinker change and jock upgrade I had him across the board in his stunning Lexington upset (and was jumping up & down like a crazy person alone in my apartment watching the OTB channel when it was clear no one was gonna catch him in the stretch. This was was the highest point of my ‘long shot across the board’ approach thus far). What I like about his last 2 races was that he (like Rags to Riches) was pulling away each time (albeit, not as much as her). I think he’s got shot if Hard Spun doesn’t get too far away from him and HS’s pace is too fast, albeit a long shot. Love his odds and will be including him in some tris + perhaps an across the board.

Hard Spun:

I love this horse and while it would make me extremely happy to see him win, I think there are two distinct scenarios. If he keeps the pace under control I think he’ll probably win it, and maybe with authority. I like GG and think he’ll be a good addition to all the things HS has going for him. If he either gets in an upfront speed battle with Slew’s Tizzy (which I hope doesn’t happen) or just plain old sets a fast pace, I think he’ll tire. His breeding suggests he can handle the distance so I think it’s a matter of pace. It’s also worth noting that in the aerial view of the Derby (which I can’t find anymore), in the last few lengths he starts to gain on Street Sense… this also made me think a mile and half could work for him.

Rags to Riches:

I’m so glad she’s running! Her breeding is right on for this distance and she gets a weight advantage as a filly that will serve her well, particularly since she’s as big as they are! She’s run wide almost every race and if you look at her win margins it makes them all the more impressive. There’s no doubt in my mind she’ll be on the board and I think she could win it! If Hard Spun doesn’t pull away, it’s hard for me to call it between Rags to Riches, Imawildandcrazyguy and Tiago.

With that said, my official picks in any order are:

Hard Spun, Rags to Riches, Imawildandcrazyguy & Tiago.

If I had to pick an order:

Imawildandcrazyguy, Rags to Riches, Hard Spun, Tiago.

Best of luck to all!!

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on 06/08/2007 by dana.

Was just at NTRA watching Rags to Riches prior (impressive!) races. I’ve seen all of those boys race many times but got interested in the fillies a little late in the season. In a word, wow.

Las Virgenes

Santa Anita Oaks

Kentucky Oaks

Darley adds Authorized, the Epsom Derby winner, to the list of 3 year stud trophies.

Another 3 year that we will NEVER KNOW how could they could be.

[DRF Requires log-in]

It’s a commentary reading kind of morning here at Green but Game. Here’s the other shaft the fans get… the ridiculousness of the signal wars.

There was an article calling for a Commissioner of Horse Racing that I meant to post here because I think it’s great idea. If the NTRA can’t/won’t do anything about these issues, a Commish should.

Between 3 year olds retiring to stud and signal wars, the fans and the allegedly important task of building the fan base are taking a backseat to profits.

[Bloodhorse]

Great commentary on the Belmont and a suggestion that would provide a much needed incentive for owners to run their horses as 4 year olds.

I’m so steamed about Hard Spun retiring after this year… since this is the first year I’ve actively payed attention to horse racing, my outrage at this apparently common situation is fresh. Swifty and I have something brewing to address that, stay tuned.

[Bloodhorse]