2009 Triple Crown - Belmont Stakes 6/6 - post#15

[Elaine]

I think we're going to see a very special Preakness today...

Here is Mine That Bird's tremendous winning effort in the 2009 Kentucky Derby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDaRM1hcWXw very impressive, but also a bit of racing luck that those holes on the inside opened up the way they did, and Calvin (Bo-rail) was able to guide MTB expertly through.

Here is Rachel Alexandra winning the 2009 Kentucky Oaks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRGvbUmqv-s Rachel Alexandra is an amazing filly... physically very impressive, and notice that she gave this spectacular effort and Calvin Borel never ever pushed her, he never even fanned his whip... like the announcer says, “the only movement for him is when he’s turning his neck to either side to be sure that he’s put the field away.


There have been some great races in history. We've all probably heard of the match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVT2MPNCqgM&feature=related

I’ve seen some great races in my time:
like Secretariat’s 1973 Belmont http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS4f6wiQJh4,
the duals in 1978 between Alydar and Affirmed, culminating in the 1978 Belmont http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2sjDivffYE ;
the 1980 Preakness with Genuine Risk and Codex http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVT2MPNCqgM&feature=related

… and the 1975 Match race with Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsi_ixx4pAY

No question, the 2009 Preakness is going to be remembered, I hope it's for the superior performance of the horses ... and that they all come home safe. My prediction is that we will not have a Triple Crown winner this year, Rachel Alexandra will put the boys away.

The race itself should be about 6:15p.m. EST on NBC. Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (our country's only four star Eventing competition) is on before that at 3:30, also NBC. http://www.rk3de.org/

[Elaine]

Final Post-Positions for 134th Preakness Stakes
1) Big Drama:
2) Mine That Bird:
3) Musket Man:
4) Luv Gov:
5) Friesan Fire:
6) Terrain:
7) Papa Clem:
8) General Quarters:
9) Pioneerof The Nile:
10) Flying Private:
11) Take the Points:
12) Tone It Down:
13) Rachel Alexandra:


Media Segments

NBC Evening News with Brian Williams" Anne Thompson reporting http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/30772194#30772194

CNN May 15, 2009 - Preakness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XsDVoBUlpM

HRTV's 'Pursuit of the Crown' May 14, 2009
http://www.fasigtipton.com/fasig-tiptontv/index.asp?t=5 If you watch this video.. there is a gelding -Terrain - who reminds me a lot of our True Ruler's sire Salute the Truth... (but that may be too much of an insdie joke for anyone but Arthur, Alain and I).

[doberdogsfd]

I think the filly is going to show them how it is done!

Cheryl

[Elaine]

When I first heard that she'd been sold and was going to be entered in the Preakness I thought, "Why?" She could run in the Travers at Saratoga in August, not the supercharged atmosphere of the Triple Crown, but it would still demonstrate that she can run with the boys. Racing needs a stallion who is a Triple Crown Winner. I think this is the first time in history that we have no living Triple Crown winner. It is rumored that Jess Jackson (The Stonestreet Stables) paid $12 million for Rachel Alexandra. That's a lot of money... for a mare. I think that if we look back of time, it is not that common for our great race mares to have offspring that equal their accomplishiments on the track.

Here is some of the reaction when RA was sold to Jess Jackson:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BloodHorse 5-7-09 "Wiggins Reacts to Losing Rachel"
From trainer Hal Wiggins:

Quote:
“Being the trainer, I have mixed emotions,” said Wiggins of the filly, who was transported to stall 24 of her new conditioner Steve Asmussen’s barn at around 5:15 a.m. May 7 at Churchill Downs. “I know she’ll make her new owners happy. We had her for a year and she never left our barn, so it’s tough, but we’ll get back into our same routine. My wife was upset, but I told her we could have sold her before the Oaks. We were fortunate to have had her as long as we did.”

“My wife was hurt (when she heard that Rachel was sold), because she knew it was hurting me,” said Wiggins. “I talked to her this morning, and I told her the sun was going to rise just like it does every morning. Time does a whole lot no matter what it is, and we have a lot to be thankful for, so we keep thinking about that.

“When you walk by and see that empty stall, you can’t help but think what was in there. It’s tough—it’s hard, but that’s just part of the game, and we have to realize that, but we did have some great times with her, so we’re appreciative of that.”



From co-owner/breeder Dolphus Morrison:

Quote:
“(Rachel) is one step away from not being a racehorse anymore, and that’s the way this business goes. (Jackson) was pretty aggressive (in the transaction), but I held my ground, and I’m satisfied with our deal.”

================================================== ================

USA Today 5-7-09 "New owner skeptical of running Rachel Alexandra in Preakness"

Quote:
Jackson and new trainer Steve Asmussen also must weigh what can be done to enhance Rachel Alexandra's chances of gaining horse of the year honors.

"I'm quite aware that winning a classic race against males would assure her consideration as horse of the year," Jackson said. "But it doesn't add any value to us except for her foals."

Jackson is motivated by Rachel Alexandra's breeding prospects, calling her a "perfect mate" for Curlin, who was retired at the end of last season. "Curlin certainly represents a super horse," he said. "There aren't many that come along like him. And I don't think you will see another like her (Rachel Alexander)."

[Lou's mom]

Do I root for the NM horse....


Or a mare, in sisterly support? ;)

[Elaine]

That's a tough call... in my heart I wish Rachel Alexandra was not even running in the Preakness. I'd love to see Mine That Bird silence his critics and win both the Preakness and the Belmont. Doing so would be great for racing (and a real boost for his sire Birdstone.) But I think RA is going win going away. We'll all know for sure at about 6:17 om EST today. :)

Here's the way some sports writers predict the 134th Preakness Stakes:


Jerry Bossert: New York Daily News > Mine That Bird

Liz Clarke: The Washington Post > Rachel Alexandra

Ed DeRosa: Thoroughbred Times > Rachel Alexandra

Joe Drape: The New York Times > Mine That Bird

Richard Eng: Las Vegas Review-Journal > Pioneer of the Nile

Ed Fountaine: New York Post > Friesan Fire

Beth Harris: The Associated Press > Pioneer of the Nile

Dick Jerardi: The Philadelphia Daily News > Rachel Alexandra

Tim Layden: Sports Illustrated > Pioneer of the Nile

Dan Liebman: The Blood-Horse > Friesan Fire

Rob Longley: The Toronto Sun > Pioneer of the Nile

Sandra McKee: The Baltimore Sun > Rachel Alexandra

Jim O'Donnell: Chicago Sun-Times > Friesan Fire

Tom Pedulla: USA TODAY > Pioneer of the Nile

Laffit Pincay III: HRTV > Rachel Alexandra

Jay Privman: Daily Racing Form > Big Drama

Jennie Rees: The (Louisville) Courier-Journal > Pioneer of the Nile

Tim Wilkin: Albany (N.Y.) Times Union > Friesan Fire

Alicia Wincze: Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader > Rachel Alexandra

[Elaine]

Not to take anything away from Rachel Alexandra’s impressive win, but I’ve never been more impressed with a horse who ran second. Mine That Bird certainly has heart and class. His performance today proves that the Derby was no fluke. Watch him closing on Rachel Alexandra, in another 3 strides he'd have had her. I just don't see her taking on the mile and a half Belmont. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30783084/

Other views of the race:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/30784100#30784100

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/30784100#30783919



It's on to Belmont for Mine That Bird. Here is video of MTB's sire Birdstone winnig the Belmont in 2004. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Z49x11smk

[OldDrumDobes]

I have to agree, it was a great race. I think Mine that Bird deserves ALOT of attention!! What a race! I was cheering for Mine that Bird all the way! I know my stomach dropped watching the race, just a few more strides and he would of had it. Just one little opening on the rail, is all he needed Saturday. Watch at the Belmont, a longer track and I think this horse can't be stopped. Who will ride him, will she be there?? Lots of unknown right now. Nothing better then a honest to goodness horse race

[Elaine]

I don’t know much about TB racing and never bet on horse races, but I do make predictions about the Triple Crown races, which historically turn out wrong as often as not. :p:rolleyes: But I’m willing to go out on a limb here to make a prediction about the Belmont Stakes. Here’s what little I know, and it ain't much: I think that the Belmont will be won by some horse that has been held out of the first two Triple Crown races, one that is fresh and has been prepped solely for a mile and a half classic… or maybe colts like I Want Revenge or Quality Road will pop back up again.

My thoughts: The Belmont Stales is the longest of the three Triple Crown races, at a mile and a half. Both Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra are bred to go the distance. Both have good distance horse in their pedigrees.

You do not win the Belmont wire to wire… the only horse I can remember doing that was Secretariat, and he was a one-in- 50 million horse. I don’t see Rachel Alexandra winning wire to wire at a mile and a half. She was tiring in the Preakness, if she’d had to go on another 5/16th of a mile last Saturday I do not think she’d have come under the wire first.

Mine That Bird’s running style seems ideally suited to a mile and a quarter (which is the distance of the Kentucky Derby)… he got caught short in the Preakness (which was predictable because the Preakness is the shortest of the three races at a mile and three sixteenths). The question is, “Can Mine that Bird handle that last quarter mile at Belmont?” If he runs into traffic and has to go to the outside (like he did in the Preakness), those big sweeping turns art Belmont could eat him alive and drain the energy he’ll need to hold off a horse that is fresh and has been prepped just for the Belmont.

Supposedly Belmont is called “Big Sandy.” According to Rachel Alexandra’s jockey Calvin Borel, RA did not like the track at Pimlico (apparently RA preferred the hard fast track at Churchill Downs).

It was pretty clear that Rachel Alexandra as struggling in the Preakness, Calvin actually went to the whip, and she barely won by a about a length, When she won the Kentucky Oaks by over 20 lengths, he never had to push her at all, never even waved the whip. I can’t see her liking the track surface at Big Sandy much better than she liked Pimlico.

Here is what her connections are saying:

RA will run against the boys again - but its not clear what race. NYT May 17 "Filly Is a Champ, and May Not Be Finished "
Quote:
“My filly was kind of struggling in the last quarter-mile,” said Borel, whose mount was the favorite despite not running in the Derby. “She went to reach out, and the ground was breaking out from underneath her.”

“Would we love to run her in the Belmont? Yes,” Jackson said. “Could she win? We think so. She’ll run against the boys again somewhere. It’s good for champions to race against champions.”

AP article from 5-17Quote:
Borel admitted Rachel Alexandra was bothered by the sandy dirt at Pimlico, making it difficult for her to truly get loose.

"I could never get her to level off," he said. "I even went a little faster than I had to just to try to get her to level off."

She never really did, not that it stopped her. Borel had no doubt he was on the best horse - male or female - as Rachel Alexandra took command at the top of the stretch and he never panicked even as Mine That Bird closed in the final metres.

The scary part for Borel? He's still pretty sure he hasn't seen the best of Rachel Alexandra yet.

"She won, but she's a lot better filly than she showed," he said.

the Courier Journal about RA on May 17, 2009:
http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...TS01/905170385
Quote:
Funk said it had been 10 exhausting and emotional days for Borel from the moment he learned that Rachel Alexandra had been sold to Jess Jackson and his business partner.On the next morning after the sale, May 7, the filly was moved from trainer Hal Wiggins' barn to her new trainer, Steve Asmussen. That was also the morning Borel was given his $144,000 check for his remarkable last-to-first Derby ride aboard Mine That Bird. Funk said Borel held the check -- and cried.
"Calvin would have torn that check up to keep riding the filly," Funk said. "Money doesn't mean anything to him. He loves that filly.

I hope that Jess Jackson doesn’t run Rachel Alexandra in the Belmont. Supposedly she came back well from the Preakness, but they are still undecided about the Belmont.

Mine That Bird is definitely running in the Belmont, he is a gelding, there is no reason not to run him. So, if Rachel Alexandra doesn’t run, Calvin Borel has said that he will take the ride on Mine That Bird for the Belmont if offered (though Mike Smith did a good job too). I will be rooting for Mine That Bird, but I don’t think he’ll win and only because these last two efforts (in the Derby and Preakness) have been extraordinary and he has only three weeks to come back for the Belmont and a mile and a half effort.

[Elaine]

Just saw this:

Runners from the Preakness - going Belmont:

Mine That Bird (runner up) is a definite for the Belmont
Flying Private (finished 4th) is certain to come back in the Belmont.
Rachel Alexandra (winner) To Be Determined

Runners from the Kentucky Derby - going to the Belmont:

Chocolate Candy
Dunkirk
Mr. Hot Stuff
Summer Bird

New runners (expected) for the Belmont not in a prior American Classic:

Charitable Man
Gitano Hernando
Miner's Escape

Horses who are not going on to the Belmont from the Preakness ...
:
Big Drama, who was fifth, is going to Monmouth Park, where his main summer goal will be the Haskell Invitational, trainer David Fawkes said.

Musket Man: The Haskell also has been the next major objective stated by trainer Derek Ryan for Musket Man, who finished third in the Preakness. Ryan said after the Derby that Musket Man would run in the Preakness or the Belmont, but not both.

Papa Clem, who was sixth, is heading back to California and will be freshened until the summer, trainer Gary Stute said.

General Quarters, who was ninth, will return to Churchill Downs and not contest the Belmont, Tom McCarthy, his owner and trainer, said Sunday morning.

Friesan Fire, who finished 10th, also will get a brief vacation.

Pioneeer of the Nile: Baffert will not send Pioneer of the Nile to New York for the Belmont Stakes

[Elaine]

So, my prediction is “not Mine That Bird.” Not sure how many horses are nominated to the Belmont, but that probably leaves over a dozen possibilities. Try going to a betting window to place that bet! :D:rolleyes:

Summer Bird is also by Birdstone (Mine That Bird’s sire) Summer Bird may have a chance at the Belmont distance, and he is fresher than MTB.

[Elaine]

Mike Smith will NOT ride Mine That Bird - nor any horses - in the Belmont; he is skipping that to ride in California instead.

From the DRF May 18, 2009 @ 1 pm EST


Quote:

Mike Smith, who rode Mine That Bird to a second-place finish in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, will not ride him in the June 6 Belmont Stakes, choosing instead to ride Madeo in the Grade 1 Whittingham Stakes at Hollywood Park that day.

Brad Pegram, Smith's agent, informed Chip Woolley, the trainer of Mine That Bird, on Monday morning. The decision opens the possibility that Calvin Borel, who rode Mine That Bird to a victory in the Kentucky Derby before opting to ride the filly Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, can get back on Mine That Bird for the Belmont, if Rachel Alexandra does not run. As of Monday she was only considered possible for the Belmont.

"We made this commitment to Madeo before the Preakness, before the filly was sold and Calvin took off Mine That Bird to ride the filly and we got a chance to ride Mine That Bird in the Preakness," Pegram said Monday.

Madeo is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Shirreffs, with whom Smith has won major races with the likes of Giacomo and Zenyatta. Shirreffs's wife, Dottie, is the racing manager for the Mosses.

"Everybody is well aware of the relationship that Mike has with John and Dottie and the Mosses," Pegram said. "It's just too bad that these races are on the same day."

Woolley, reached by phone while driving Mine That Bird back to Churchill Downs from Pimlico, said he would "have to see" if Borel would regain the mount.

Borel would be available to ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont if Rachel Alexandra does not run. On Sunday, Rachel Alexandra's trainer, Steve Asmussen, said he would consult with majority owner Jess Jackson before deciding on a Belmont start. But Asmussen allowed that he didn't look at the Belmont with the same urgency as he did the Preakness for Rachel Alexandra.

[Janice McGerr]

I am enjoying the vidieos!

Thanks E!:D

[Arthur]

It would be a shame if Mine That Bird had to be ridded by a third jockey. That horse deserves some continuity.

[Elaine]

The 141st running of the Belmont Stakes is this Saturday, June 6th. The Belmont is the longest of the three Triple Crown races at a mile and a half.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will run in the Belmont (his sire Birdstone won it in 2004). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Z49x11smk Birdstone’s running style is similar to that of his son Mine That Bird. It is heart breaking to see Smarty Jones come so close to winning the Triple Crown in 2004, beaten only a heart beat from the wire. The 2004 Belmont might be a harbinger of Saturday’s race. MTB is my personal favorite to win, but the Belmont is a long tough race. Over the years we’ve all seen the Belmont won by some fresh horse in the field who has been prepped for the supreme effort of his life.

There is no Triple Crown on the line this year, though if Calvin Borel gets the ride back on Mine That Bird (and Bird wins the Belmont), Borel will be the first jockey in history to win all three Triple Crown races in the same year, though not on the same horse. Btw, there is no official award for a jockey winning all three Triple Crown races.

Rachel Alexandra (who won the Preakness Stakes), will not run in the Belmont. Her connections say she needs the rest; her detractors say she would never have been able to handle the Belmont’s distance, and would not win if they ran her. There are rumors (not sure if they have been confirmed in the mainstream press) that RA’s owner Jess Jackson has cancer, and that doctors have given him a year to live. If true, it might explain why he wanted to see RA in the Preakness (which eliminated MTB’s chance of a Triple Crown) Mr. Jackson may simply have wanted the thrill of owning a Preakness winner. Only he knows for sure. Most racing fans are hoping to see Rachel Alexandra race the unbeaten Zenyatta later this year.

[Elaine]

The Belmont is a mile and a half, the track is called Big Sandy. All horses will carry 126 lbs (fillies carry five lbs. less than colts, but there are no fillies in the Belmont this year). Entries in the Belmont Stakes as of yesterday, with the assigned jockey:

1. Mine That Bird (Calvin Borel)
2. Charitable Man (Alan Garcia)
3. Brave Victory (Rajiv Maragh)
4. Chocolate Candy (Garrett Gomez)
5. Dunkirk (John Velazquez)
6. Flying Private (Julien Leparoux)
7. Luv Gov (Miguel Mena)
8. Miner's Escape (Jose Lezcano)
9. Mr. Hot Stuff (Edgar Prado)
10. Summer Bird (Kent Desormeaux)

Summer Bird is by Birdstone, same as Mine That Bird... Birdstone won the Belmont in 2004.

There is a maximum of 14 starters for the Belmont, so it is still a remote possiblity that another horse could be added to the field.

Quoting from another source:

"Mine That Bird is expected to gallop 1 1/2 miles Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs then be flown to New York later that day. Joining him on the flight will be Mr. Hot Stuff, who is training at Keeneland. Chocolate Candy is already training at Belmont.

The 141st Belmont Stakes will be aired on ABC Sports with a 6:27 p.m. ET post time

In terms of "buzz", aside from Calvin's remarks of a confident victory which simply sounds sadly like an unwise jinx, Charitable Man looks to be the horse to beat. Watch his Grade 2 victory in the Peter Pan Stakes to see his talent and confidence over Big Sandy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLFxBTE2AlE Alan Garcia knows that track like the back of his hand (and Charitable does too) and that is a value add.

Worth factoring into any prediction is an overlooked fact: Calvin Borel has never ridden any horse in the Belmont Stakes. Yes, he's ridden over the course but not at 1 1/2 miles. (Street Sense never started in the Belmont and he was replaced on Denis of Cork last year with Robby Albarado for the Belmont.)"

[OldDrumDobes]

Anyone else ready for the race???? :D I CANNOT wait!!! Been watching all day.. This is going to be one great race

[andyhilt27]

Dunkirk!!!! That's my pick. I tried to bet online but it won't take my debit card. My wife is away with the credit cards.....hopefully not using them.

[Elaine]

my post from May 18, 2009
So, my prediction is “not Mine That Bird.” Not sure how many horses are nominated to the Belmont, but that probably leaves over a dozen possibilities. Try going to a betting window to place that bet! :D:rolleyes:

Summer Bird is also by Birdstone (Mine That Bird’s sire) Summer Bird may have a chance at the Belmont distance, and he is fresher than MTB.

This Belmont win for Summer Bird is really great for Birdstone (who is the sire of both Mine That Bird and Summer Bird.) Btw, I should start betting on races. :cool:

Ooh and.. I love MTB, win or no... what a great little horse.

[Elaine]

Can't find video of the 2009 Belmont yet, but here is a link to Summer Bird winning at Oak Lawn Park. His running style is so similar to his sire Birdstone and to his half brother Mine That BIrd. the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEaaIYZ5e2Q

[Elaine]

Here's a good article, that proved to be dead on the money.


Kent Desormeaux calls fellow jockey Calvin Borel 'naive' for Belmont Stakes prediction
by Bob Fortus, The Times-Picayune
Wednesday June 03, 2009, 8:36 PM

http://www.nola.com/horseracing/index.ssf/2009/06/kent_desormeaux_calls_fellow_j.html

[Elaine]

Dunkirk!!!! That's my pick. .

Andy, I just saw this: "Word just in from TVG that Dunkirk tyed up after the race. He is fine now though. He ran a great race too!"

It was nice to see Dunkirk back in form in the race.

[Elaine]

Video of the 2009 Belmont (not great quality)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mwG-zvPOlA

and more http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown09/news/story?id=4237553

[OldDrumDobes]

This Belmont win for Summer Bird is really great for Birdstone (who is the sire of both Mine That Bird and Summer Bird.)
Ooh and.. I love MTB, win or no... what a great little horse.

I have to admit this is one of the first things I thought about.. Man, this is good for Birdstone! Truly a horse that can produce what's needed to race and do it well. ;)

[Elaine]

I have to admit this is one of the first things I thought about.. Man, this is good for Birdstone! Truly a horse that can produce what's needed to race and do it well. ;)
In a way, Summer Bird’s win in the Belmont was the best possible outcome from Thoroughbred racing. They have a credible new sire emerging on the horizon, Birdstone.

Mine That Bird and Summer Bird are from Birdstone’s first foal crop. Birdstone’s stud fee of $10K is low for TB’s. In contrast, Rachel Alexandra’s sire, Medaglia D'Oro's stud fee was $40K, and at the high end sires go for hundreds of thousands. It used to be that to make money, the horse had to keep racing. Now the money in TB racing is in the breeding shed.

They say that the phone is ringing off the wall at the stud farm that has Birdstone.

Speaking og Medaglia d'Oro's, he was sold recently to Sheikh Mohammed and shipped to Darley’s Jonabell Farm near Lexington, Kentucky.

“The Sheik has been following Medaglia d'Oro's stud career with great interest and has been most impressed not only by the likes of Rachel Alexandra and many other exciting prospects in his first crop which are now three-year-olds, but also by the quality of yearlings that we have seen at public auction," said John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed's Bloodstock Advisor

To date. all seven of Medaglia d’Oro’s stakes winners are female. "Mo" is no dummy and he saw the potency of him throwing fast girls. http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/news/article.cgi?id=15267





Here are some after thoughts about the race, from racing insiders. Many question choices made by Mine That Bird’s jockey, Calvin Borel, both in the race and in the week before the race.

Calvin Borel did not have enough experience on the Belmont Track and he’d never ridden in the Belmont Stakes before. He has raced at the Belmont track about 8 times in his entire life, and of those, only one race was on the dirt track (there is also a turf track at Belmont). Many question why he didn’t take a ride in some races earlier in the week to better familiarize himself with Big Sandy.

The feeling is that Borel made his move in the race too soon, his lack of experience caught up with him. “He had a wall of horses five wide to help take the edge off, yet he circled them. He was scrubbing and had gone to the whip before they even straightened out. He[Borel] says in the post race interview that he thought he was home free when he came off the turn, and that horses went by him. Sounds like yet another jock misjudges the Belmont stretch in a mile and half race. He then claims in the post race interview that "it was unbelievable how slow they went".... what race was he riding in? They went out in 23.41, 47.13 and 1:12.43. With fractions like that the race was a perfect setup for MTB. [Borel] asked too soon.

Any of us who’ve watched the Belmont over the years have seen this before. “The track and the distance has caught out jocks before.” There are very few mile and a half races in the US. There is a feeling that the horse thinks the job is done at about a mile and a quarter, and then says, “Oh Wait, there’s more to this, we’re not done yet?.” The jockey has to ask the horse at the right time, or the horse makes his move too soon and then can’t hold off challenges in the stretch or at the wire.

Except for Secretariat’s Belmont back in 1973, which pretty much broke all the rules. Horses just don’t do what he did that day at Belmont 36 years ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoFquax2F-k

[Lou's mom]

I have to admit this is one of the first things I thought about.. Man, this is good for Birdstone! Truly a horse that can produce what's needed to race and do it well. ;)

Same here.