The other article on that site about CC’s stride is interesting, but there are so many stride variables that I’m not sure about the conclusions.
Some horses with a finishing kick can increase their stride tremendously if horse wants to win. So the photograph or video of the horse will show different stride lengths depending on the race and the position in the race and whether or not there is a heated duel and whether or not the horse has the stamina to use its finishing kick.
I saw Buckpasser in one of his great races. He was a come from behind horse, and in the race that I saw, he literally increased his stride length so much that he dropped down like a low rider vehicle. Because of that lengthening of stride, he was able to nose out a competitor who was six lengths or so ahead at the furlong pole. If you’d looked at his stride earlier in the race, you’d never have seen how much he could stretch his stride.
IMO Buckpasser was one of the greatest race horses of all time, and he is seriously underrated these days. But since he didn’t do the Triple Crown races, most people just don’t know.
I’m praying for stamina…
Nother fan of Buckpasser here…
Post positions and morning odds:
Belmont Stakes:
- Medal Count, R. Albarado, 20-1
- California Chrome, V. Espinoza, 3-5
- Matterhorn, J. Bravo, 30-1
- Commanding Curve, S. Bridgmohan, 15-1
- Ride On Curlin, J. Velazquez, 12-1
- Matuszak, M. Smith, 30-1
- Samraat, J. Ortiz, 20-1
- Commissioner, J. Castellano, 20-1
- Wicked Strong, R. Maragh, 6-1
- General a Rod, R. Napravnik, 20-1
- Tonalist, J. Rosario, 8-1
Interesting fact put out there by Alan Sherman - the no. 2 post was the one Secretariat broke from in his Belmont.
A sign?
A more interesting fact is California Chrome has drawn EVERY post position Secretariat had for the big three! OMG!
Edited to reflect that Big Red left from the 10 spot in the Derby.*
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;7608894]
A more interesting fact is California Chrome has drawn EVERY post position Secretariat had for the big three! OMG![/QUOTE]
Not the Derby. Secretariat broke out of #10 and California Chrome from #5. But I’ll take the #2 post in the Belmont as a good omen!
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;7608894]
A more interesting fact is California Chrome has drawn EVERY post position Secretariat had for the big three! OMG![/QUOTE]
Yeah, that was a tweet that went viral, I even shared it on my racing page this morning after the draw but it is incorrect and has since be deleted.
It’s on EVERY news cast. It is correct.
Secretariart drew the #2 spot, but moved into the #1 position for the race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS4f6wiQJh4
Secretariat broke out of the 10 hole in the Derby, CC was in the 5 hole.
Like I said, I shared it too but honestly I am kind of glad it isn’t true. That just seemed like a jinx to me.
NYT explains where the misinformation came from. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/sports/california-chrome-draws-no-2-post-for-belmont-stakes.html?hpw&rref=sports&_r=0
No fan of Buckpasser? He passed on good sporthorse jumping genes, so for that we are grateful!
