Interesting article to begin everyone thinking.
I have come to see AP as the best of the bunch. But the Belmont is tough. It comes down to how well conditioned the horse is coming into the race and what kind of strategy his team comes up with. After all, it is the one leg of the Triple Crown known as the jockey’s race. I think it’s going to be very interesting to see how it plays out.
I was concerned, on seeing California Chrome in the saddling area for Belmont, that he looked tired, thin and dispirited. We’ll see what AP looks like in three weeks. I do know that Laz Barrera did as little as possible with Affirmed between the Preakness and the Belmont to allow his colt to rest and recover his strength.
[QUOTE=SportArab;8154535]
I was concerned, on seeing California Chrome in the saddling area for Belmont, that he looked tired, thin and dispirited. We’ll see what AP looks like in three weeks.[/QUOTE]
FWIW the photos of him from this morning, he looks pretty darn good for a horse that just raced Saturday. 
I am a little nervous that they’re going back to Churchill - I understand Baffert’s reasoning but I feel like just shipping to Belmont would be easier on the horse, but he knows the horse better than I do, LOL.
I’m very excited for the Belmont. I was surprised they were going back to Churchill too but I’m sure Baffert knows what he is doing.
Super excited for the Belmont. Chrome is a nice horse but he was “the best of what we had”… AP seems like a pretty darn good horse.
Add me to the list of people surprised that they shipped him back to Churchill, but then again I’m a hunter, not a racer. :lol:
Can’t help but notice that turf writers are liking both Pletcher and Zito colts in the Belmont. Zito has the experience to spoil TC opportunity.
[QUOTE=vanessajean;8155705]
I’m very excited for the Belmont. I was surprised they were going back to Churchill too but I’m sure Baffert knows what he is doing.[/QUOTE]
Really? He hasn’t been able to pull off a Belmont Stakes win yet. I don’t care for this strategy either but then, who am I to criticize? We’ll all have to wait and see if he’s blown another one.
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;8163448]
Really? He hasn’t been able to pull off a Belmont Stakes win yet. I don’t care for this strategy either but then, who am I to criticize? We’ll all have to wait and see if he’s blown another one.[/QUOTE]
Point Given… Definitely one of the more impressive Belmont wins I remember.
He hasn’t been able to pull off a Belmont Stakes win yet.
Actually, he did win the Belmont with Point Given. That was after the horse ran in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness as well (winning the Preakness).
The Belmont winner always has a classic blue blood pedigree.
What is a “classic blue blood pedigree?” I am curious to know if you think Affirmed fits that description.
I’ll go out on a limb here and just say if AP is a great horse, he’d win anywhere shipping in day of. Because that’s what the great ones do, win regardless.
If he’s just a very good horse, he’ll fall victim to a horse that lives there, trains there and probably has won there. Maybe to the track itself with the big turns and the distance itself. He sure won’t be able to use mud as an excuse if it comes up wet.
Guess it’s going to be a smallish field? No excuses there either.
Paulick Report Baffert interview:
http://www.paulickreport.com/video/baffert-triple-crown-triumph-takes-a-great-horse/
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8163376]
Can’t help but notice that turf writers are liking both Pletcher and Zito colts in the Belmont. Zito has the experience to spoil TC opportunity.[/QUOTE]
Zito saying his horse looks like a Belmont horse was enough for me. Definitely going in my top 3…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CuyquO5WfG4
Beautiful work by Pharoah this am. Effortless and ears pricked.
[QUOTE=Sancudo;8163674]
Point Given… Definitely one of the more impressive Belmont wins I remember.[/QUOTE]
You’re right of course. I had been thinking only of his 3 Belmont attempts that might have resulted in a TC win (Silver Charm, Real Quiet, War Emblem).
Can’t really blame Baffertvfor the major stumble War Emblem took coming out of the gate which had to have affected the horse - although he did have the lead for a short time. Looked like he ran out of steam.
Let’s hope Baffert’s plan works and we finally get another TC winner this year. I just won’t hold my breath.
[QUOTE=Sancudo;8165860]
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CuyquO5WfG4
Beautiful work by Pharoah this am. Effortless and ears pricked.[/QUOTE]
I no nothing, and AP’s rider and trainers know plenty, but I was worried watching his dangling breastplate. Normal?
[QUOTE=m&m;8169147]
I no nothing, and AP’s rider and trainers know plenty, but I was worried watching his dangling breastplate. Normal?[/QUOTE]
Did not see that particular image. But yes it is normal.
